Cetacean Sanctuary Research Guestbook

Guestbook 2005

Guestbook 2006

Guestbook 2007

To read the latest comments and stories written by course participants since 2008 please visit the Tethys Blog (theme: esperienze/experiences).

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Guestbook 2007

Cruise CSR 02

Simone and Joerg, Germany

We enjoyed the stay on the Pelagos with the "boss" Sabina ;-), the captain Paulo and the great, nice & helpful crew Nino, Enrico and Elisa very, very much. We where very lucky to see two sorts of whales (sperm whales and fin whales) and the nice, funny striped dolphins bow riding at the Pelagos (my big favourite).
We will never forget the clicks of the whales - and I think when we dream of whale clicks we will after 40 minutes immediately start to look for sperm whales…. which we saw altogether 5 times - one time only 100 meters away wish a fascinating tail. The fin Whales where very elegant and beautiful and once we had 2 whales next to the boat showing up at the same time - great.
But for me - the striped dolphins, which we saw at the 3rd day in a clear mirror flat sea were really one of the greatest impressions of my life, which I will surely never forget. Thanks so much for this great opportunity. In addition we also enjoyed perfect delicious food thanks to Sabina.
But also the pesto beans potato lasagne from Enrico and Elisa where sensational. Enrico and Elisa I also whish lots of luck to see the risso dolphins next time - for me the striped dolphines were great enough! And thanks to Nino, Elisa, Enrico and Sabine for all the interesting information and this nice, funny week.
Oh - and thanks Nino for the Salsa class ;-)))
Unfortunately on Saturday and Sunday we could not go out with the boat for studies, but thanks a lot to the perfect flexibility of the team and especially a big thanks to our captain Paulo, we could get the opportunity to go sailing. Antonio showed us the first steps of sailing around the area of San Remo. Once again thank you very much to Paulo.
To summarize, we have to say that we have a great respect of the work the team is doing, so please keep going. Only with enthusiastic and competent personalities like Sabina, it will be possible to maintain our environment like it is! This trip is a perfect combination… Thanks a lot and keep in mind that with this job you have the opportunity to work where other people would be happy to go on holiday!

Georg, Germany

I really enjoyed the time on the boat. It was a great experience for me to be with the TETHYS crew and see all the cetaceans. Thanks to all researchers on the "Pelagos" for an absolutely great time.

Lakdar, France

Tethys! Buon vento! Cercavo da anni la tua famiglia, e non mi sento più orfano, da solo alla ricerca di tutto quello che perdiamo ogni giorno. So bene, che purtroppo i venti sono contrari, e lo sai pure tu: e così ho ritrovato la Tua via, incrociando la Tua anima sulla Pelagos. Eravamo mammiferi, della specie che ha l'orgoglio di Sé, e che disprezza spesso volentieri le altre creature. E Noi umani pazzi, alla ricerca di questi mammiferi, cetacei cosi nobili, agili, eleganti, potenti, e così umili nella loro vita quotidiana alla ricerca del cibo nel " Grand Bleu" ! E noi alla ricerca della loro presenza, e dei loro segreti per rassicurarsi che il mondo non è soltanto Noi, ma anche Loro con noi! E voilà, mi avevate invitato, accolto, ascoltato, e insieme a Johnatan, Maria-Rosa, Georges, York, Simone, Elisa, Nino, Enrico, (tutti dolcissimi, gioiosi, servibili, sapienti…), sotto la Guida della femmina dominante (come si dice in Calabria: ' Himmina!), la Bellissima e Luminosa Dea Sabina, che indovina le Correnti del Mare, le Tracce delle nostre tenerissime " prede", spesso enormi , sulla Pelagos: Delfini, Balene, Capodogli, Tartarughe, Pesci Luna, un incredibile mare pieno di vita a due passi da porti, città, abitazioni costiere… nel Santuario franco-ligure": C'è una Pinna a Prua!!! ", mentre L'Ulisse di San Remo calcolava la rotta, e riesce perfino a darmi una occhiata, bontà Sua, per il neofito, neonato marinaio da poche ore, e prendeva pena di spiegarmi come funziona la barca che conduceva con astuzia, mentre nelle acque pelagiche navigavamo alla ricerca delle nostre anime gemelle per studiarli! Grazie Sabina, Grazie Paolo,Grazie a tutti! Ho potuto vedere con miei occhi le bellissime stenelle striate, sotto la guida del maschio dominante alla caccia della barca Pelagos, per giocare con noi sull'onda di prua; ho potuto sentire con il mio cuore il battito profondo del mare.

Cruise CSR 03

Sandra, Germany

Here in Sanremo I felt like being at home. I met a lot of new friends and even improved my knowledge about "la lingua italiana". I got lessons in dancing Salsa and the way of life in Italy and also more information about the Italian kitchen. The food was different but I tried a few new things.
I have to apologise the first day going out to the sea was really Difficult for me but the whole team tried to make us feel comfortable. And after I got my patch against seasickness I really enjoyed my stay on the Pelagos and felt very good out at the sea and the one I liked best was to see two different whales, the Sperm whale and the Fin whale. We had also a lot of fun doing the identification and I learned a lot of the life of cetaceans and I would like to do something like this again. The most fun was to see all the dolphins jumping and doing bow-riding. And the weather was quite ok and when we had to stay in the harbour the Team of Pelagos organized "una visita nella città di Sanremo". Another time we went to a presentation but it was still enough time to relax on the boat and lying in the sun. I even got a little tan. ;-))
I felt really good and would like to come back or do the same at another place. Thanks for your patience in explaining everything to us. And thank you for being so kind.

Tony, England

I have wanted to do an activity involving cetaceans for a long time and finally had the opportunity with this course. From arriving on the boat to departure back for home the staff have been outstanding and a credit to the Tethys Institute. The weather has been challenging at times but the professionalism of the crew kept everything moving along nicely.
When there was quiet moments the crew laid on lectures that were both interesting and very informative. As they lectured in English it was obvious how good there depth of knowledge was as well as there English, which I can appreciate makes the subject being taught very difficult but they managed to keep it at a level we could understand. I have looked forward to doing this for a long time and will leave with a good memory of my time here. I will have no hesitation in talking about my experiences and recommending Tethys to any one I meet. Thank you all for your hard work and patience

Babi, Italy

Un'esperienza veramente bellissima, non ci sono parole per descrivere le emozioni che si provano quando si sente il cliccare di un capodoglio e poi lo si vede immergersi mostrando la sua imponente coda o quando si naviga accanto ad una balena che prende fiato con tutta la sua tranquilla eleganza..
Tutto questo non ve lo posso raccontare ma ringrazio Tethys per quest'opportunità. Questa settimana è volata tra mille risate, cene favolose , poco sole, molta musica e un'inaspettata lezione di salsa..Momenti per cui ringrazio tutti i miei fantastici compagni di viaggio. Baci a tutti.

Valentina, Italy

Che dire… un'esperienza stupenda, indimenticabile e per me del tutto nuova! Un modo davvero piacevole per avvicinarsi a questo bellissimo mondo dei cetacei!! Per fare nuove amicizie, trascorrere una settimana in mezzo al mare (o quasi, beh questo dipende dal tempo!!) tra una lezione e l' altra pasti super abbondanti e musica. Se poi c'è la compagnia giusta.... Lo consiglio a tutti gli amanti dei delfini, delle balene e di tutto ciò che li circonda!!! Grazie di tutto.

Alessia, Italy

E così l'ultimo giorno è arrivato; questa settimana è sembrata lunga e troppo breve al tempo stesso. Lunga per le innumerevoli attività che la ricerca e la vita in barca richiedono, e breve perché è stata una settimana bellissima e il pensiero di dover tornare ora in città è orribile! In ogni caso è stata un'esperienza che credo non dimenticherò facilmente: abbiamo avuto la possibilità di vedere e anche ascoltare animali fantastici quali sono i cetacei - le stenelle che giocano vicinissime alla barca, il capodoglio con la sua eleganza, e infine la balenottera.
Il tempo è stato inclemente con noi: pioggia vento freddo… ma grazie all'emozione alla vista dei cetacei e al gruppo di ricercatori e volontari come me che si è sentito sin dal primo giorno molto unito, la avversità climatiche sono sparite. Oggi il sole splende: torno a Milano col sorriso! A presto!

Elena, Italy

Ero partita da Milano per imbarcarmi sulla Pelagos con ottimismo, nonostante il temporale ed il clima quasi autunnale… Ora che sono tornata a casa mi rallegro nel ricordare la meravigliosa esperienza vissuta insieme a tutti voi, perché le emozioni degli avvistamenti sono ancora più belle se condivise con chi vive la stessa passione. Sono felice di avervi conosciuto e di aver potuto collaborare, seppur in minima parte, alla ricerca ed alla tutela di questi pacifici e fantastici mammiferi marini.
Ringrazio i ricercatori per la semplicità con cui hanno saputo spiegarmi le basi del loro difficile lavoro e tutti i partecipanti per la splendida compagnia. Scusatemi ancora per il terribile cous cous che vi ho cucinato e buona fortuna a tutti… Baci.

Cruise CSR 05

Emily, Israel

Dear researchers,
I had wonderful time this past week. It was definitely an experience I will never forget. All the researchers were so professional and attentive to our needs. It was lovely to see their enthusiasm to their job. The food was very good all along the week although sometimes a bit strange (cold couscous?!?!). There is no doubt that I learnt a lot from the lessons and the actual work. I also came to the understanding that we don't actually know all that much about these beautiful animals. Maybe we're so interested in them because they have quite a mystery around them.
I think you're doing a wonderful job discovering what they are all about. As I wrote in the beginning, I had a fantastic time and I would definitely stay another week if I could. For conclusion, Tethys is a great organization and I'm proud to have joined you for this short period! Stay in touch.

Nicole, Italy

E' un po' che giro intorno al computer tentando di riordinare tutti i pensieri che mi passano per la testa e ancora adesso stento a trovare le parole giuste. Mi sono imbarcata su Pelagos con mille propositi e un fortissimo desiderio di conoscere, di sapere. Devo dire che il mio desiderio è stato realizzato nel migliore dei modi, non solo perchè ho avuto l'opportunità di conoscere moltissimi aspetti di un mondo a me sconosciuto, ma perchè più sapevo è più volevo sapere. Non è forse uno dei risultati migliori che si può ottenere da un'esperienza come questa? Questo grazie al progetto in sè e alla presenza dei meravigliosi ricercatori e dello skipper che ci hanno accompagnato nella settimana, un mix di cultura, simpatia, disponibilità e dolcezza! Senza contare l'impegno e la professionalità che mettono nel loro lavoro peraltro per niente semplice. Devo ringraziare veramente tutti quanti compresi gli altri partecipanti con cui ho condiviso ogni emozione, dalla gioia nell'avvistare una pinna alle nostre passeggiate serali! Sto impiegando un eternità per scrivere queste poche parole, e sono sicura che mi sto dimenticando gran parte delle cose che vorrei dire. Spero solo di poter partecipare nuovamente a questo progetto e di rivedere tutti quanti!
Anche se ho dimenticato l'ultima serata (…) non dimenticherò di certo tutto il resto.

Petra, Switzerland

Dear Tethys Team,
It was the first time for me for such a long time on a boat and in the beginning, I have to admit, it was a bit strange to live in such a narrow place together with 12 other people. Another challenge for me was to get used to the "Easy Going" after a very stressful period working. I came here with lots of questions and expectations and many of them have been fulfilled within the last week. I learnt a lot about Cetaceans during the very interesting lessons given by the researchers. To see those beautiful animals in their natural surrounding and share this experience with other people was just awesome! Unfortunately the weather was not on our side in the second half of the week, but although we were not able to see a Fin Whale more closely or even tag and follow it, it was great to have a short impression of how it could be when we saw it at the horizon.
I much enjoyed to stay with likeminded people, the nice food and pleasant evenings on board the Pelagos. Thank you for a wonderful week!

Michela, Italy

Ho pensato cosa scrivere in questo diario mentre trascorrevo l'ultima ora di avvistamento. Credo che ognuno abbia dentro di sé una scatola dimenticata, impolverata, sotto tante altre ed improvvisamente (forse cercando di fare un po' di ordine) spunta e puoi aprirla soffiando via tutta la polvere. E allora ci si sente parte di qualcosa di più grande dell'uomo, o meglio, ci si sente in armonia con la natura, qualcosa di primordiale e ci si ricorda che per fortuna certe cose non si riescono ne' a controllare, ne' a prevedere (se non in parte grazie al mitico Roberto, skipper esperto, come dice Quark)!
E' stato fantasmagorico poter vivere così tanto il mare, il mare nostrum, fare il bagno con un mondo sotto, vedere il mare in diverse facce, stare al largo e "pensare al largo" sopra tutto questo meravigliosi balzi, animali incredibili con striature che nemmeno il miglior pittore può riprodurre, i piccoli curiosi di stenelle, il Mola mola, la Caretta caretta e la balenottera lontana, quella la sogneremo ancora e chissà magari la prossima volta…Che dire delle persone incontrate se non che vado a casa con il cuore scaldato, (un po' come le melanzane scaldate di Mauro), che sono contenta di essere divenuta un pezzettino della ricerca preziosa che fa questa mitica Ong che mi ha aperto un mondo (esperienze fantastiche tanto quanto le persone che le permettono).
Quando sarò schiacciata dal grigio del cemento e talvolta dal quotidiano penserò a tutto questo: blu, blu e ancora blu, orizzonte, pinne e salti! Grazie di tutto!!!
Ah, dimenticavo, non posso non citare Mauro incontrato alla Fiera che ci ha saputo entusiasmare!

Francesco, Italy

Carissimi Ricercatori Tethys,
è stata davvero una settimana entusiasmante! Ricordo l'emozione di quando siamo arrivati in porto lunedì, con gli zaini in spalla, cercando il molo B-22, guardando avanti alla barca successiva per avere un qualche segno che fosse il Pelagos. Non è stato difficile identificarla, nelle altre vi erano equipaggi formali in divisa, ad un certo punto abbiamo visto "la banda", sparsa in ordine sparso, in una barca dalla forma simpatica. Poi l'ordine sparso si è confermato alla sera quando dall'albero di mezzana è sbucata a 20 metri d'altezza un'antenna stile Albania anni '80 quando ancora non c'era la parabola, insomma potente ma un po' demodé. Ma sorpresa delle sorprese, alla sera abbiamo saputo che avevamo a bordo il Coustèau del nuovo millenio, il Grandissimo Simone, uno dei massimi studiosi in materia di Fin Whales, con la lettera maiuscola. Con un Super Ricercatore ed un equipaggio futurista ci mancava una pedina importante, il nostro grande Capitano Achab, il Grandissimo Roberto. Per uno di pianura abituato ad andare su e giù per le colline in bicicletta era l'inizio di una bella avventura.

L'avventura, il mare
Il rumore del motore che si mette in moto
Le conversazioni in ordine sparso sui divanetti
con il mare come sfondo
Dialoghi di marinai e di ricercatori
La voce dall'alto con il nome tanto atteso
I pesci dell'aquario che escono e ci corrono dietro
Quasi fosse tutto organizzato
Accordo tra uomini e abitanti del blu
Chissà se un giorno si potrà fare

Alla prossima avventura!

Cruise CSR 06

Melanie & Florian, Switzerland

Carissimi Ricercatori Tethys,
Thanks to this wonderful week, we don't only know a few words more in Italian (like fame, salsiccia, tiramisu, bastardo :) and English (like put, plus and less :) but also learned a lot about the cetaceans and their fascinating underwater world. Big thanks to the whole research group (Vero, Mauro, Francesca, Adriana and Shanni) for great lectures, delicious food and lots of fun!!! We also would like to thank our great capitano Paolo for his safe rides and outstanding cooking talents. Finally, we will never forget the look of the 'strange' sperm whale during his men watching adventure and we are taking home the memory of 'Mario' and 'Simone', the new members of the ligurian sea's sperm whale family! We hope you continue your great work in identifying a lot more animals and protect their natural habitat. Good luck with 'putting' : the tag on a Rissos dolphin! Hope to see you again (maybe even on this boat)!

Nicolas, France

I booked only one week ago and hardly knew that there where cetaceans in the Mediterrean sea so you can imagine the amount of things I learned in only six days. Thanks to the crew for their patience and the time they gave us, thanks to the other volonteers for the time we had, even if some were a little bit noisy (no, no one in particular). Of course, we were not very lucky because of the weather conditions but we have seen sperm whales and striped dolphins the first sailing day so I can not complain. I hope I will be able to come back next year for another week, with my wife and friends, and I will surely tell everybody I know about this travel. An unforgettable experience.

Marta, Italy

Ciao carissima Pelagos,
devo ringraziarti di cuore per la bellissima settimana che ho passato a bordo, il mare non è stato dei migliori…ma la vita sulla barca è bellissima!!! Inoltre devo ringraziare i "miei" ricercatori per le bellissime lezioni e per la passione con cui hanno svolto il loro lavoro; io non ho ancora scelto quale sarà la mia università ma dopo questa settimana penso di riconsiderare la possibilità di scegliere qualcosa di simile alla biologia marina o qualcosa del genere….
Mi sono deivertita molto in questa settimana e il lavoro dei ricercatori è stato affascinante!!GRAZIE MILLE Veronica, Mauro, Adriana, Francesca, Shani e Federico (anche se sei stato poco con noi) e GRAZIE MILLE a Paolo, il nostro skipper, che oltre che ad essere un bravo marinaio è un ottimo cuoco!
Ritornerò, statene certi! Per adesso vi dico ancora GRAZIE e vi auguro buona fortuna per i prossimi turni e per il vostro lavoro. Bacissimi!

Simone, Austria

I want to thank you for a very special week, which I will never ever forget in my whole life. The fun part is that I even got my own sperm whale (which nobody at home will believe anyway). Thanks for the pain in my tummy, which was the result of laughing so hard all the time. By the way I found the Love of my live… no it's no human it's called a patch and made me feel good even with waves higher than our boat (-: !!! Just to make sure, you will see me again, hopefully soon (for you I don't know if its good or bad !!!)
I will tell all my friends about this trip and I do not even know where to start, because usually you tell you friends only the nice things, but how should I handle that, when everything was just great?!!!
So all of you got a big spot (shaped like a dolphin) in my heart and it will stay there forever. Now you have enough time to recover from me(-: !!!
Have a great time whatever you will do!!! With a little (no honestly with a big) tear in my eye I will say goodbye. Thank you soooooooooooooooooooo much!!!

Luca, Italy

E' stata un'esperienza fantastica e credo proprio di tornarci l'anno prossimo, magari con lo stesso equipaggio e gli stessi partecipanti!!!
Mi sono trovato mooolto bene nonostante fossimo una compagnia di persone molto diverse.
Mi dispiace solo di non potermi fermare per un altra settimana, sarebbe stata altrettanto bella.
Auguro a tutti i ragazzi/e un grosso in bocca al lupo!
P.S. : spero di potervi incontrare anche una volta terminata questa esperienza!!

Maurizio, Italy

Ciao ragazzi, grazie per la splendida settimana trascorsa insieme, per la vostra simpatia e soprattutto per la vostra PROFESSIONALITÀ! Non avevo dubbi che sarebbe stata un'esperienza molto eccitante (visto che avevo già sperimentato nel lontano 2002) e chissà se in futuro…
In ogni caso siete invitati ospiti in Romagna a casa mia. State sicuri che non vi porto nè a Rimini nè a Milano Marittima! Magari vi porto una notte in Casentino a farvi sentire gli ululati dei lupi.
Termino con un grandissimo in bocca al lupo e mi raccomando, la risposta è…VIVA IL LUPO.
Un abbraccio dal più vecchio a bordo.

Cruise CSR 07

Claudia, Italy

Ciao a tutti, ho trascorso una settimana bellissima. Ho imparato un sacco di cose interessantissime grazie alle bravissime ricercatrici! L'emozione più grande è stata quella di aver visto per la prima volta il capodoglio e penso che sia il mio cetaceo preferito in assoluto, forse! Spero di rifare presto questa esperienza! A presto, un abbraccio.

Simona, Italy

Acqua è vita ed esserne parte integrante è una sensazione disarmante, tanto più se ti trovi di fronte a un capodoglio che dimensionalmente è piuttosto spiazzante, tanto quanto una stenella nella sua purezza e fluidità! Ciò che questi animali, grandi o piccoli, riescono a darti non è quantificabile. Va provato e vissuto per assimilarne quella sensazione di pienezza e calore che si conficcherà a vita nella tua mente e anche nei momenti di sconforto ti ripoterà ad una dimensione di aria acqua e vita. Grazie all'equipaggio, efficiente paziente ed impagabile, al massimo aggiungerei!!
Grazie di cuore a tutti per questa meravigliosa esperienza.

Niccolò, Italy

Essendo livornese al 100% nei miei vasi sanguigni scorre acqua salata invece del comune fluido rosso che tutti si chiama sangue, quindi perchè non tentare un'esperienza di questo tipo mettendo insieme esigenze genetiche e scolastiche?? Dico scolastiche perchè questa settimana ha chiarito molti dubbi esistenziali sul mio prossimo avvenire. Prima di questi giorni non avevo mai visto un capodoglio e l'osservazione da vicino mi è "garbata un monte"!!! Quindi credo mi iscriverò alla facoltà di scienze naturali. Oltre al socio Physeter macrocephalus un saluto davvero caloroso alla Stellina di Bilbao, alla Bionda di Santa Margherita, alla Birraiola di Lambrate, all'American Chef, e chiaramente al sovrano dei pittori e dei sette mari Paolo. Un abbraccio forte a tutti voi.

Velia, Italy

Questa avventura mi è stata proposta questa primavera da mio figlio Roby ed io ho accettato la proposta con piacere. Comincia l'avventura in maniera non proprio fortunata, tempo cattivo ecc. E la cosa mi ha spaventata alquanto, infatti ho pensato di ritirarmi, ma ciò non è nelle mie corde per cui ho deciso di rimanere e sono felicissima. E' stata una emozione mai provata il vedere da vicino, gli animali , sentire i loro suoni col l'idrofono. Ho ammirato molto la professionalità delle ricercatrici e la bravura del capitano Paolo nell'avvicinarsi agli animali. Ringrazio tutti per la bella esperienza e Vi abbraccio.

Sandrine, Belgium

I came in contact with Tethys via the newsletter of my university, and I thought "why not going there…". Well, now that I completed the course, I have to say that I am very impressed by the work that is done here, from the scientific point of view as well as the logistics. I admire the competence, the kindness and the patience of all the staff members. I have learned many things during this week. We have seen a lot of animals and different interesting behaviours. It was a very nice experience for me. I saw my first whale during this week and I will never forget this. I really had a great time with the Tethys staff, and I will definitely recommend this course to all my friends and colleagues. I wish you all the best and hope to see you again.

Anonymous

Es wurde einem nicht zu viel versprochen, die Zeit auf der Pelagos werde ich nie vergessen. Nach zwei Tage die wir leider im Hafen von San Remo verbringen mussten,welche aber durch interesannte Unterrichtsstunden durch die Mitglieder keine verlorene Tage waren, folgte eine aufregende Zeit auf See. Am ersten Abend den wir in einer wunderschoenen Bucht verbrachten sahen wir die ersten Delphine. Der zweite Tag auf dem Meer und somit der vierte Tag unserer Reise war dann der Knueller, gleich viermal bekammen wir die Gelegenheit einen Pottwal zu sehen. Am fuenften Tag dachten wir anfangs noch ,dass wir am vorrigen Tag wohl Glueck gehabt haben so viele Tiere sehen zu keonnen doch gegen Nachmittag wurden wir abermals durch einen Pottwal in Aufregung versetzt, das Besondere war diesmal ,dass erstens viele Delphine bei ihm waren und wir sehr lange Zeit auf einen respektvollen Abstand zu ihm sein konnten und somit die Gelegenheit hatten ihn genau zu studieren. Ebenfalls erwehnenswert war die ausgezeichnete
Verpflegung und der stehts gut gelaunte und kompetente Skipper Paolo. So genug gelabert! Zusammengefasst gesagt es war riesig!!

Jakub, Poland

It was a pleasure to join the Tethys team the second time (after my Ionian Dolphin Course in Greece). I spent a great time in the Ligurian sea and I had a possibility to learn a lot about the behaviour of striped dolphins, sperm whales ect.
I must admit that the staff is really professional. The lectures, presentations, methodology and scientific tools were impressing and very useful. The enthusiasm, proffesionalism and smiles of the Tethys team, their patience and understanding of the participant's needs, fun connected with life on the boat and beautiful landscapes were an added value for all of us.
We met many sperm whales, dolphins and even we saw the blows of fin whales. It was also a good possibility to hear the voices of cetaceans (and the noise pollution in the sea as well, unfortunaterly).
The most interesting moment for me was when we searched sperm whales using hydrophones (and also the knowlegde about their behaviour, sounds and diving patterns) and after the moment we could observe their blows and beautiful flukes. It was so magical and tremendous to observe a pair of sperm whales or a sperm whale among striped dolphins.
I strongly recommend this course for everybody who is really interested in cetaceans, who wants more than simple whale watching and who wants to meet many interesting people from various countries.

Albert & Albert, Germany

Encouraged by dolphins we already have seen at sailing trips through the Mediterranean Sea in the last few years we wanted to have more informations about these intelligent animals. Hence it was a good opportunity to book the trip with Thedys, which was offered in our Stuttgart newspaper.
Our expectation was to see dolphins, to learn something about there live, there social behaviour and the scientific methods of the researchers in practice. As I never saw a whale before in the Mediterranean Sea, I also did't believe to see whales at our trip.
After arrival on board of the motor sailer "Pelagos" we got contact to the crew and the other participants very fast. The group was composed by people all over the world, so the life on board was very international, interesting and pleasant. The first two days were a little disappointed as we had to stay in the harbour caused by too windy conditions and too high waves on the see. We used the time with lessons in theory of cetaceans and with a visit to the oceanographic museum in Monte Carlo. After leaving the harbour on the third day, everybody unterstood, that it's necessary to have smooth contitions on sea to do the observation work properly. Fins, tails and blows are only can be monitored, if the waves are not more than approximately 80 cm.
But the next three days were very successfully and the Ligurien Sea presented us all we waited for, a lot of Striped Dolphins, eight Sperm Whales, Sun Fishes, Turtles and, unfortunately only far away, one Fin Whale. We learned the kind of speach of the animals, how they get the informations about there environment by echolocation, which we could hear like music via the hydrophone.
We also had much fun during live on board and a quite good food. Our skipper Paolo and the researcher Francesca have done a great job with the fantastic lunches and dinners on board.
So our expectations are more than fullfilled and we wish much success and good luck to Tethys for their future work.

Marleen, The Netherlands

I want to thank the Tethys crew for this wonderful experience. The researchers were great, always willing to explain us things, to answer our questions and to tell wonderful stories about other trips they have done. They feel very passionate about their work and about their objects of study, and that is great to see. We learned about the techniques that the researchers use to investigate the behaviour of the ceteceans, to identify the animals by means of photo ID, to take skin samples, and so on. Being on the water for four days (unfortunately, the first two days we could not go because of the weather) was really relaxing, and seeing so many dolphins and sperm whales was very exciting! We have seen eight sperm whales which seems to be extraordinary. Last year, they only spotted five of them during the whole season I believe! And too see bow riding dolphins is pretty cool too!! I hope Tethys will manage to find more funding to continue and elaborate on this wonderful kind of research. There are apparently still so many things we do not know about the ceteceans….
Life on the boat was actually much better than I expected. The cabins are pretty big, we ate great food, and we had good nights of sleep. So.. I would recommend to everybody to sign up for a Tethys trip!

Cruise CSR 08

Gerold and Monica, Austria

We once heard that while staying at the sea people can have an aura that's eight times bigger than on land. Can be true. Or better, is true for sure!
It's so good for the eyes and for the heart to see the horizon again. Standing up on deck and searching for animals is like a rest for the soul. Loving it!
We were having a really great time.
Thank's to Paolo. You're a very good captain, an amazing cook, a wonderful painter and such a nice guy.
Sabina is doing really great work and she's a wonderful dancer.
Special thanks to Shani, Leire and Nino, who have been very pacient with us and our many questions. You guys a great.
We came here to see some whales and, wow, did we see a lot of them. Finwhales, it's so wonderful to follow them, see them breathing and feeling their "length". And Spermwhales, puh, they are strong and powerful. Seeing their dive, seeing them fluking really makes us feel so good. We will remember it forever. So of course we will come back to Tethys, again having a great time, a useful time and a time that makes us happy for the rest of the year!

Anna, The Netherlands

Wonderfulweek! Despite the bad whether on Wednesday so we had no reson to go out at sea. Thursday we had the opposite: good whether. But still no whales. Friday was our lucky day with striped dolphins (they're so funny), fin whales (very huge) and spermwhales (very ughly, but nice ;)). Saturday we had just spermwhales, but one of them I saw as first :D. I really enjoyed the week and hope to do this once (or more) again.

Fiona, France

Very nice boat, very nice people, delicious food, awesome animals and a wonderful evening under sail. Saw everything I came to see and more… It was great to be in the middle of professional research projects and to begin to understand what kind of contribution we can make to preserving the balance of marine life, not just in the Med but all over the world. I will definitely be back to see more whales and dolphins. Thanks for the ride!

Tim, England

Another brilliant trip and so many sperm whale sightings - amazing animals. Great to see the fin whales as well. Life on board is ideally suited to the important research that Tethys undertake. Many thanks to everyone from Tethys for a great time.
PS How could I forget Nicola our WDCS guide! Thank you.

Gerda, The Netherlands

As long as institutions like Tethys exist and researchers as dedicated as the researchers of the Pelagos are part of it, there will be still hope for the sea mammals on this planet.
Many thanks to the researchers and skipper Paolo for the most interesting week I spend on the Pelagos.

Moyra, Scotland

What an experience! A plethera of sperm whales and a couple of beautiful fin whales. Only a few striped dolphins, but the whales made up for that. The researchers are doing such valuable work - it is a privilage to have been a small part of it. Thank you!

Nicola, WDCS International, England

What can I say? Yet another magical week on board Pelagos with some of the most dedicated researchers. This year brought cachalots galore, with the odd striped dolphin and fin whale thrown in for good measure! Fantastico…..and very happy to be here for another week….roll on CSR No. 9!!

Cruise CSR 09

Sina (Journalist of the German Teenage Magazin "MAEDCHEN"), Germany

I've never been on a trip like this before…
But my expectations really got overroled, when we see the first huge group of striped dolphins and how they were surfing with our boat. That was so great! But the most beautiful thing that happened was our "special cocktail party" with a huge group of sperm whales on our last day. After 5 days of searching and waiting we got the best Meet & Greet ever seen on the whole planet earth! Fantastico! Thank you for one of the greatest and most emotional moments in my life! Especially I would love to say "Thanks" to Sabina and Paolo. They have been so special for this trip and without them it would have never been that great as it finally was! Sabina, go on and continue to live your dream beeing with the whales. And Paolo, you definitely should think about a second career as a cook or an artist because of those very nice paintings…
Thanks for everything! I wish you all the best!

Philip, Germany

I came here to learn more about cetaceans and the people that study them. What I got was an experience I will never forget and the memory of people who are giving their heart and soul to protect and study these animals. Working with you was a great experience and I loved being able to help. For me it was great to learn lots about cetacean acoustics and behaviour and the practices of studying them. I am greatful that Sabi, Shani, Leire, Nino and Paolo were able to pull us, the guests, through the difficult days of little or no sightings and prepare us for the great finale with the Spermwales on Saturday. The atmosphere on board was unique and exceptional. I have gathered 2h 30min of video material (!!) and was still able to see the animals without filming or photographing. Hopefully I can send you a great memory in form of a beautiful film. Thank you for an amazing experience and professional overview!! Hopefully I will join you as an assistant researcher sometime in the Future. Keep up the good work!

Archy, Austria

Since I'm not a man of big words I can only find small ones. There are no words to express my thanks for Tethys and WDCS! A lifetime dream of mine has been fulfilled. That I would ever get close enough to these animals to hear them breathe was always my dream an I would have never thought to fulfill it. With Sabina, Leire, Shani and Nino and of course Paolo we had a professional dreamteam!! I will need some time to save all these wonderful experiences to my personal harddrive. Good luck and lots of future success.

Monika "Brigitte", Germany

This is a promise: I'll try to find the right words on this special travel. The other things the others said already.

Florian, Germany

It's a great idea to manage the life of humans and cetaceans in one "small" part of the sea. Unfortunately the partners are very different. So it seams to be a sort of traffic management between militay tanks and peaceful men and it looks and sounds sometimes like war. I hope for the sea- and the land-animals that at the end you will be successful in your "peace keeping".

Holger, Germany

I could write pages on end but in fact there are no words to describe the magnitude of the experience I was allowed to enjoy over the last 382 nautical miles. I could not dream of a better mix of people to teach others about cetaceans. And it was nice to see how passionate all of them were. Though I may have to run a couple of extra miles to rid myself of some pounds that are bearing witness to the excellent food we were served every day. Plus some on top because I know that I will be back soon. I wish you all the best in your pursuit to protect what is increasingly threatened.

Christina, Germany

This week was one of my most stunning experiences!!!!! Thank you to Sabina, Paolo, Leire, Shani and Nino!

Nicola, WDCS International, England

“Dolphins at 2 o’clock… dolphins at 1’o’clock… dolphins at 8 o’clock… dolphins at 4 o’clock… dolphins everywhere!!” - and so began a most extraordinary week on board Pelagos. Within moments of the first sighting, white splashes could be seen all around the boat and as far as the horizon in every direction. And thankfully this time it wasn’t breaking waves: it was a school of approaching striped dolphins. All around us they were leaping clear of the water, making a beeline for the bow of the boat for a free afternoon ride. Some were breaching, some were lob-tailing and some I think thought they were spinner dolphins, propelling themselves out of the water with graceful ease – how easy they made it all look! A calf was spotted in amongst the melee but its mother ensured it kept a safe distance from the goings-on around the boat, only when it was a bit older would it be allowed to partake in the fun!

For over an hour the dolphins cavorted around the boat, enabling time for some of the all important behavioural research to be undertaken, photographs to be snapped and general merriment to be experienced. A truly wonderful encounter!

Due to the unpredictable nature of the weather out in pelagic waters, “Pelagos” trips across to Corsica (over 90 nm to the south) are few and far between. We however were to be the lucky ones, and a cheer went up as we set sail for the island with everyone feeling like modern day explorers. A beautiful sunset prevailed out over deep waters and soon folk were bedding down for the night as there was to be a long night ahead with everyone taking turns on night shift – to ensure no rogue tankers or fast ferries crept up on us during the night. As we cut through the water effortlessly, under the power of sail alone, some dolphins made their presence known, not only by their clicks picked up on the hydrophone but by their gasps for air giving away their positions as being a mere 2 feet off the side of the boat. They were obviously there to ensure our safe passage to Corsica.

Corsica brought stunning coastline, extremely delicious ice-creams, a chance to top up the fresh water supply and beautiful starry skies. It also proved to be a most spectacular safe harbour for the night as we dropped anchor in the bay, unbeknownst to us at the time, taking front row seats for the spectacular fireworks display that was laid on at midnight by the local town. It was after all the eve of Bastille Day, marking their independence, and the French were celebrating in style! (And we thought they were just happy to see us!)

Leaving Corsica the next day we were extremely lucky to come across a group of feeding bottlenose dolphins. With flat calm conditions, these silver bullets for dolphins cut gracefully and silently, and it could be said lethargically, through the water in search of their prey. After staying a while, enough to ensure photographs had been taken of all dorsal fins for future identification, we set sail for home… only to meet another group 1 nm further on… more photographs, more delightful memories and off we set again.

The dolphins, the sailing and of course the “company” had made this an extremely enjoyable trip so far, but the best was yet to come (for some at least - for me nothing beats the dolphins so I was already on cloud nine and beyond)!

All that was missing was an encounter with a “whale” – any whale would do, we just wanted to show the participants one of the giants of the deep because we were beginning to think they didn’t believe us anymore. All our talk of enormous fin whales and cavorting sperm whales was now being met with sceptical looks and raised eyebrows!

And then we heard them… the unmistakeable sounds of sperm whales. We were picking them up on the hydrophone, in fact they appeared to be all around us… but not a “blow” in sight (where was Gerald – our blow spotter extraordinaire from CSR 8 – when you needed him?!)… and so we persevered… 14 sets of eyes trained on the sea as far as the horizon, 360 degrees in scope. After what seems like an age, with sunset rapidly approaching, that word which had escaped us all week, fell off the lips and we had our first “blow” in the distance. It was full steam ahead to try and get to the animal before it fluked up and disappeared into the depths for another mammoth dive. The atmosphere was electric!

All of a sudden it seemed as if we’d stumbled into sperm whale alley… everywhere you looked there were blows, individual ones, two side by side and strangely enough, very little flukes up. They weren’t diving, and instead they were engaging in tail slaps, spy-hopping and different forms of socialisation. These normally “solitary” males were exhibiting behaviour that can only be described as symbolising “a boy’s night out” – gregarious and rowdy.

The climax of the encounter began with one individual making a close approach to the boat to check out what this large object was that had strayed into his patch. He was joined by a second animal and then soon after a third, all slowly making their way around the circumference of the boat, rolling onto their sides, spy-hopping and generally just being inquisitive as to what and who we were – a sperm whale “human-watching” trip was taking place before our eyes. The tables had turned!

With the sun setting and the majority of the sail back to home harbour still to be undertaken (Corsica was still prominently on our starboard side) we reluctantly bade our farewells to our new friends and set course for home. It was a perfect end to a perfect week, and we still had the night navigation to tackle!

And we thought it couldn’t get any better than it already had… the next morning, sitting 5nm off from San Remo, enjoying the last of our Mediterranean experience, we were joined by a small pod of dolphins… a final farewell from our little striped friends.

An exquisite trip with much laughter, much fun and friendships to last a lifetime!

Cruise CSR 10

Sebastian, Austria

Es war sehr schoen und interessant auf der Pelagos. Eine tolle Woche mit vielen Sichtungen von Streifendelfinen und Finwalen. Ein Danke an das Team (Elisa, Vittorio, Paolo und Leire) der Pelagos fuer die vielen Informationen ueber das Leben im Ligurischen Meer.
Danke fuer die schoene Woche.

Sebastian, Doris und Wolfgang, Austria

Thank you for the nice and interressting week on the Pelagos. It was a wonderful week with many sightings of Striped-Dolphins and Fin-whales. A great thank you for the Team of the Pelagos (Elisa, Vittorio, Paolo and Leire) for the many informations about the Ligurian Sea. Thank you for the nice week.

Simone, Italy

Quest' esperienza é stata fantastica. Ho imparato tantissime cose sui cetacei del mar Ligure & Mediterraneo, e questo non fa che stimolare la mia aspirazione a diventare biologo marino.
Ogni cetaceo avvistato mi ha suscitato un emozione enorme. Anche gli altri animali marini che abbiamo visto (squalo verdesca, pesci luna e le Caretta caretta) erano bellissimi.
Ringrazio il simpaticissimo equipaggio per tutte le cose che mi hanno insegnato.
In barca si è formato un bel gruppo e questo ha contribuito a rendere questa vacanza-esperienza ancora più bella.

Luigi, Italy

E' difficile non correre il rischio di incorrerere nella banalità quando si tenta di descrivere quanto ritenuto da emozioni così forti. Certo quel che mi ha colpito è il forte contrasto stra l'estemporaneità degli aspetti primordiali del vero contatto con la natura, la sua anima-lità, e l'espressione della gentilezza e dell'intelligenza. Qualcosa che ci permette di coniugare l'uomo al mare e sperare che un giorno ci si possa unire negli sforzi per migliorare questo rapporto all'insegna del rispetto.
Per concluder i ringraziamenti di rito al team della Pelagos soprattutto per la loro cortesia e attenzione agli ospiti. Un affettuoso abbraccio.

Jake, England

Both life on board the boat and the various animals that were spotted were fantastic, and it is an experience I will never forget! Everyone was so friendly, well-informed and funny that I settled in right away, and I loved the social aspect of the week most of all. The cetaceans weren't bad either, of course. Even though I managed not to see a single living thing from the sighting point on my shifts, I had an amazing time viewing those that the others saw. Also a pleasant surprise was the quality of the food - far, far superior to what I had been expecting!!
The week was an unforgettable experience and I am incredibly glad to have had the opportunity for such an adventure. Congratulations and thanks to the team of researchers who made the week so enjoyable!!

Laurence, England

Having expected to see maybe two or three glimpses of a fin or tail in the distance, seeing well over a hundred striped dolphins and some fin whales so clearly was really unbelievable. As well as being a great experience in terms of close sightings, it was extremely interesting to get some idea of the research techniques and generally the life you can expect when studying cetaceans. Hopefully the first of many marine experiences, Thank you Tethys!!!

Heike, France

Gibt es im Mittelmeer wirklich Wale? Dieser Frage wollte ich zusammen mit elf Menschen aus der Schweiz, Oesterreich, Deutschland, Italien und England auf den Grund gehen. Wir haben uns alle auf das Abenteuer Tethys eingelassen. Ein Segelboot mit ein Team aus drei gutgelaunten Forschern und dem unvergleichlichen Skipper Paolo hat uns dabei begleitet. Die Landratten an Bord mussten aber erst einmal feststellen, dass man fuer Segeln im Mittelmeer vor allem eines benoetigt: Einen gutsortierten Magen. Doch spaetestens wenn der Ruf "Dolphins" ueber das Boot erschallte, war auch der letzte von Seekrankheit geheilt und ein glaenzen in den Augen verriet die Faszination die Meeressauger auf die Menschen ausuebt. Das Forscherteam bei ihrer Arbeit zu beobachten und die spannenden "Lectures" ueber die Tiere machten aus der Reise viel mehr als eine "Whale Watching Tour": Und nun zu der Frage: Gibt es Wale im Mittelmeer? Spaetestens als wir das Blasen der Finnwale direkt vor unserem Boot sahen, wussten wir, ja es gibt sie!

Are there whales existing in the Mediterranian Sea? In order to find out the solution to this question I went with eleven people from Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy and England on a sailing boat to do the "adventure Tethys". A team of three wonderful researchers an the unforgettable skipper Paolo was with us on board. The first thing we found out is that you need a good stomach for sailing. But when we heard the call "dolphins" even the last person suffering from seasickness seamed to be healed. A glancing in the eyes of all participants showed the facination the animals have on humans. To observe the work of the reasearchers and the interesting lectures about the animals made to this trip quite more than a whale-watching tour. And now the answer to the question if there are whales existing in the Mediterranian. When we saw the blow of the finnwhale just in front of our boat we knew, there are!

Cruise CSR 11

Johannes, Germany

Thank you a lot to Leire, Shani, Vittorio, Elisa and Paulo! In the last week we were experiencing astonishing animals of the sea in their natural environment, we had chance to get insight into methods and problems of the research. We saw the balance between science and "la dolce vita" every day and we had a unforgettable week because all of us had the same intrests- the group was very open, we had many good and honest talks, everybody was intersted in the other members…
So thanks a lot to all of U for the unforgettable and warm atmosphere and in general for this very nice week!! All the best for all of you and maybe until next time somewhere else (Shani and Leire?!?)

Thomas, Germany

Hey pros!!!
I had realy no idea what happens on this boat. And now I am sure, that this week was one of the greatest in my life and I head many great weeks. Expecialy because of the Luna Luna. Oh ja the wales were nice to. And the team. I think we were a great team. I think Elli saw me smiling all the Time. ;-) Thank you very much for everything an sorry for the mistakes. My italinan is better than may englisch. So that's all.

Viola , Italy

I would like to thank all of you very much! It was a wonderful week! It could not be better! The Team was great! I learned a lot of very interesting things about wales and dolphins, we had a lot of fun during the whole time especially during the evenings while drinking wine and watching the sunset… ;-) I am sure I will never forget this great week! Mille grazie per tutto. Vi abbraccio forte forte!

Annastella, Italy

Ragazzi che dire……. una settimana fantastica! I racconti di Sabina mi avevano fatto intuire che l'esperienza doveva essere fantastica, ma come si suol dire "la realtà ha superato l'immaginazione".
Il team Tethys fantastico, professionale nei momenti giusti e goliardico nei momenti di relax.
Spero veramente di poter tornare. Per me è stata una situazione particolare perchè da diversi anni non avevo uno spazio tutto mio (senza figlie e marito) e questo è stato il modo migliore per impiegarlo. Prometto la prossima volta che torno di parlare un pò più di inglese! Un grosso abbraccio a tutti, siete fantastici continuate così!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Luca, Italy

Bello bello bello.Equipaggio simpatico e affabile. La gita-spedizione indimenticabile. Ha esattamente risposto alle mie aspettative, la mia delusione è pari a 1%. Credo che sia un ottimo risultato.
Ottimi!

Marti, Italy

Quarto anno a navigare fra le acque del santuario dei cetacei, che però non stancano mai. Soprattutto se una mattina ti svegli all'alba con il tichettio del capodoglio a darti il buon giorno, se passi i pomeriggi a rincorrere le balene, e se ti fai quattro risate aspettando i grampi che non appaiono e le stenelle che ti inseguono. Un gran team, con ricercatori moooolto professionali e gente fantastica. Torno a terra con la speranza nel cuore di risalire a bordo come ricercatirce e con tutti i ricordi di questa fantastica settimana che mi terranno compagnia nel lungo inverno che dovrà passare prima di poter avvistaredi nuovo quel soffio all'orizzonte.

Cruise CSR 12

Doris, Austria

Dear Tethys-Team! Dear Veronica, Alessia, Mauro, Roberta an Paolo!
When I arrived on Sunday you welcomed me and all of us so warm and friendly! And the whole week you tried to make our journey as comfortable and nice as possible. Thank you for this first!!!
I will take lots of impressions with me home back to austria: you work very professional in your researchings, you work very warm and friendly with your volunteers and try to create an atmosphere so nice, you feel that good eating is important for our good mood and you look after each individual person. You fulfilled my dream (since I was a child) to see a whale!
And I learned, that I can sleep in a bed soooo small without falling out ;)

Xénia, Switzerland

Ciao Veronica, Mauro, Alessia, Roberta e Paolo,
grazie con tutto il cuore mio per questa settimana. Per vostro impegno, passione, rise e sorrise, disponibilità. Eravate sempre qua per rispondere a nostre questione, per noi aiutare o accudire a noi. Ho realizzato il sogno mio di gioventù, con molte emocione. Vostre lavori (ricercatori e skipper!) sono tra le più belli. E questa esperienza per me sarà una di più bella che avrei vivuto in mia vita.

Isabelle, France

Thanks a lot for this nice week in this european environment in a so such beautiful part of Europe - I'll remember for a long time the silence when we stayed around the sperm whale just before it dived. Big emotion!

Emma, England

Thank you for a fantastic week. I was amazed by the animals which is why I came here - I find them moving and remarkable. I loved seeing the dolphin calves - so sweet - and also the Hawksbill turtle. The boat is very relaxing and the sighting work not difficult although I didn't manage very much work down below! The crew were lovely and the other participants too. We have had fun with our different languages! I also enjoyed the Italian food very much - bellisimo. I think that Tethys provides a very big opportunity for people to see the animals and to be part of the research. Thank you very much.

Belle, England

I came on the Tethys research voyage not knowing what to expect - but it fulfilled dreams I didn't realise I had!! Seeing the stripped dolphins riding the bow waves just below me was amazing as was seeing the tail of the sperm whales slowly disappearing beneath the surface. Having a glimpse into the everyday work of a cetacean researchers was inspiring and I feel the team are some of the most dedicated people I have ever met - at times they seemed more excited than the participants!! The other guests were also great, it was a really cultural mix - my german lesson was fun!! The food was great and although there are lots of people on the boat there is always somewhere to be alone - I loved sitting on the small seat at the boats stern and looking out to sea - amazing!!!!!
Thanks to everyone on board for a trip I'll never forget (esp the research team) - I hope your work continues with success.

Lara, Italy

Ho deciso di vivere quest'esperienza per avere più informazioni riguardo i cetacei e per vedere com'è la vita a bordo… peccato che ho scoperto di patire la barca e non ho potuto vivere questa settimana al meglio cercando di collaborare di più! Sono ugualmente felice di aver partecipato e di aver visto la stenella, il delfino comune e soprattutto il capodoglio!!!
Grazie mille a tutti, siete stati molto gentili e pazienti con me

Barbara, Germany

Now I joined you the second time and it won't be the last time. You are doing a very good work -for the environment and the parcipitants!!! There are so many people, who don't even know that there are wales in the Mediteranian sea. You can give one of the most important experiences in the live - to see these amazing animals and having the best week in the year.
Thank you for all, I learned here, the good food and the cruises.

Nina, Germany

Thank you all for all theese wonderful moments in this week. There are no words to describe my feelings I had and still have after theese beautyful days. One of my biggest dreams has come true: to see dolphins and wales in the open sea!!! Stay as you are! I hope to see you and the Pelagos once again in my life…maybe next year???

Cruise CSR 13

Ayse, Switzerland

What to say about something that no words can describe? It was a fantastic experience moving me in the depth of my heart. Thank you for these wonderful days!

Anina, Switzerland

On Saturday, I didn't believe anymore that we would be seeing a whale but then we heard the clicking with the hydrophone and I had hope again. This whale was the most wonderful thing I have ever seen in my whole life! And the dolphins….what should I say? I just couldn't stop smiling when I saw them! The only word that can describe that: WOW!!!
Thanks very much to the Tethys team for this interesting, wonderful, beautiful, exciting and supercool week!!!!!!!!!
PS: Special greetings also to my "underwater-name-sister"

Sandy, South Africa / The Netherlands

Well, before we even get to the dolphin and whale part, spending 6 days on a boat, cramped in with 15 other complete strangers is a profound experience in itself. Especially when we discovered we all got along just fine despite differences in language, culture and faith. The hospitality, enthusiasm, professionalism, generosity and sensitivity of the researchers on board was as mind-blowing as seeing a sperm-whale's fluke for the first time and their undiluted pleasure when we heard the whistles and clicks of the dolphins on the hydrophone was humbling. And seeing the whales and dolphins in the wild moved me in a way I cannot explain. This was an experience of a lifetime. I learned so much, not just about cetaceans. Thanks a million to Tethys for facilitating this.

Gianluca, Italy

Anche per quest'anno stessa spiaggia stesso mare. Dopo l'esperienza dell'anno scorso, sono tornato a collaborare con i ricercatori del Tethys per un'altra settimana. Mi ha fatto molto piacere rivedere Caterina, Mauro e Alessia. Ho trovato un allegra compagnia che nonostante le condizioni meteo sfavorevoli, non si è persa d'animo e alla fine è stata premiata; un riottoso capodoglio ci ha tenuto compagnia per buona parte della giornata. Un grazie al comandante Paolo che ci ha permesso di vivere una bella esperienza in notturna. Grazie a tutti.

Francesco, Italy

La settimana é iniziata un pò così così, ma il primo giorno siamo comunqe riusciti a uscire e immergerci nel misterioso mondo dei cetacei con le stenelle. La settimana é poi proseguita all'insegna della iella ma abbiamo visto cose interessanti come l'acquario di monaco e nizza ma, ma nessuno immaginava ciò che sabato sarebbe successo. Partiti all'alba abbiamo subito avvistato una stenella col suo piccolo appena nato, ma le vere sorprese sono arrivate il pomeriggio con ripetuti avvistamenti di un capodoglio che abbiamo abbandonato solo al tramonto dove in silenzio abbiamo ascoltato I suoi ultimi profondi respiri prima dell'immersione. La notte passata in mare con un cielo pieno di stelle assieme alle tante emozioni della giornata non le dimenticherò mai grazie a tutto lo staff di tethys per l'impegno e la bellissima esperienza che mi hanno pemesso di fare e ovviamente a paolo che non si arrende mai.

Sebastian, Switzerland

Dear Catherina, Paulo, Alessia and Mauro, thank you for this amazing experience! We've come to find friends not only in the whales and dolphins, but also in you. Sharing a small space with many different people is a challenge. But all were united by their common interest in animals and their curiosity to learn new things. All of this sprinkled with Mauro's fabulous desserts, a real treat and very much worth returning to.

Mariapaola, Italy

It will be difficult to come back to the land and start the everyday life after a week so exciting and intense and full of emotions here on board with a wonderful group of people and Caterina, Alessia, Mauro and Paolo who enabled us to have such a wonderful experience!
The sighting of dolphins and sperm whales is really amazing and there are no words to describe the feelings that moves into you. The only way is to spend a week on board!!! Ciao to everybody and thanks for your kindly and nice hospitality.

Sara, Italy

Ho deciso di fare quest'esperienza perchè volevo vedere le stelle in mare,di notte. E le ho viste. Ma ho anche visto un animale meraviglioso che - confesso la mia ignoranza - nemmeno sospettavo nuotasse nelle acque del Mediterraneo. E la grazia con cui alza la coda e si immerge sarà una delle immagini più belle, di quest'estate e della mia vita.
Poi ho anche incontrato un gruppo di persone meravigliose. Primi fra tutti I ricercatori. E' bellissimo vedervi in azione ed è bellissimo avere preso parte, anche se per pochi giorni, alla vostra passione. Gli occhi di Cate che brillano quando parla dei cetacei non me li dimenticherò.
Ma anche Pelagos e il suo capitano-chef sono un meraviglioso ricordo.
Un grazie a tutti quelli che hanno condiviso con me questi indimenticabili momenti di mare e sole e tantissime risate. Huge hug to all of you.

Silvia, Italy

Quando ho visto il volantino della Tethys in università ho subito pensato che un'esperienza di questo genere mi sarebbe sicuramente piaciuta. Vedere varie specie di cetacei nel loro ambiente naturale è di sicuro molto più emozionante che osservarle in cattività, non c'è paragone! La mia unica perplessità era il fatto che sarei stata da sola fra persone che non conoscevo, il mio primo viaggio in solitaria! Preoccupazione infondata, dopo la fase di ambientamento mi sono trovata benissimo con il nostro gruppo. Per questo vi ringrazio tutti, "staff" e partecipanti. La parte più emozionante in assoluto è stato l'inseguimento dei capodogli, cosa che richiede una certa dose (molta) di pazienza, ricompensata ampiamente dalla vista del soffio del capodoglio e della sua coda mentre si immerge senza rumore o schizzi, incredibile! Ricorderò questo viaggio come il migliore fino ad ora, sto già pensando di fare il bis!

Alessandra, Italy

"Navigando" in quà e in là in internet, tra un click e l'altro ho trovato il vostro progetto, ed assolutamente dovevo prenderne parte. Alla fine ce l'ho fatta, ed eccomi quà, nell'intento.

Cruise CSR 014

Paola, Italy

Come previsto e tanto sognato questa vacanza é stata una nuova emozionante esperienza della mia turbolenta vita!!! Ero partita con l'emozione di avvistare i meravigliosi cetacei che mi hanno da sempre affascinata e ho trovato un ambiente favoloso su questa barca con persone gentili e così disponibili!! Grazie di tutto alle Stenelle alla Fin Whale "Alfred" ai grampi (magari uno si chiamerà Paola..) a tutti gli amici che ho trovato sulla Pelagos.. a Caterina Alessia ed Elisa sempre più che pazienti e un grazie a Paolo il nostro skipper che ci ha deliziati con le sue fantastiche ricette!!!

Andrea, Italy

Nel ripostiglio dei sogni mi accade di stare più di quanto stia nella vita, quaggiù in quale mi trovo?

Alex, Italy

Sono sempre stato affascinato da questo ambiente così misterioso ed ho sempre desiderato vedere da vicino quali creature abitassero il MARE, oggi sto realizzando finalmente una delle più belle esperienze della mia vita, grazie a Tethys.
E' vero, la vita di barca ha confuso un pò le mie abitudini ed anche il mio stomaco, ma ho scoperto che avvistare un animale, qualunque esso sia, nel proprio habitat è meglio di qualsiasi medicina, è stupendo!!! Ciò che più mi ha emozionato è stata la sensazione di pace e tranquillità che questi animali fantastici mi hanno dato. Da provare e riprovare, grazie!!!

Gaia, Italy

Velo dico e velo ripeto velo torno a dir di nuovo e se voi nn lo saprete dei grampi sarete !!! Che cosè? Comunque la vacanza mi è piaciuta moltissimo, soprattutto quando domenica mattina l'ultimo giorno ho visto i grampi che secondo me sono i cetacei più belli. Spero di rifare una simile esperienza e soprattutto di ritrovare delle persone così simpatiche !!!!! Grazie di tutto.

Mariella, Italy

Con molta sincerità vi dico che alla partenza ero un po' scettica, un po' per la mia ignoranza in materia e un po' per i capricci del mio stomaco, ma è con enorme piacere che vi dico: E' stata un avventura bellissima ho provato delle emozioni che non dimenticherò mai….la balenottera comune, detta Alfred, mi è rimasta nel cuore, le stenelle mi hanno fatto piangere di felicità e i grampi mi hanno dato un gran senso di pace.

Alfredo, Italy

Ligura, una terra dove la montagna incontra il mare;
Pelagos una barca dove "Tetide" mi ha guidato ad incontrare-scoprire gli amici del grande blu.
Quando ritornerò a casa i miei Monti che Giacomo Leopardi chiamava "Azzurri", avranno un colore ancora più vivo con il ricordo del vostro "Infinito" mare.
In fondo, su fronti differenti, il nostro impegno per un mondo migliore può aiutarci tutti a vivere realmente meglio. Grazie per la bella esperienza!

Laura, Italy

E' stata una bella e piacevole esperienza, peccato che i giorni passano velocemente e non siamo riusciti a vedere tutte le specie. Il mare rilassa moltissimo. Vedere e seguire gli animali è un'esperienza molto bella, emozionante e rilassante.
Le ragazze (le "biologhe") sono stupende: preparate, belle, simpatiche e vere donne di mare. Il capitano è molto bravo, paziente e … soprattutto sa cucinare benissimo, mettendo tanta creatività e simpatia nei piatti che prepara. I compagni di viaggio che ho incontrato sono stati tutti molto simpatici e carini e non è poco perchè anche questo è un aspetto molto importante per vivere bene questa esperienza in barca.
P.S.: Avrei voluto vedere almeno un capodoglio! Tanti anni fa quando l'ho visto in Norvegia è stata un' esperiente bellissima ed entusiasmante. Sarà per la prossima…

Karin, Austria

Thank you very much for this great week. You have a great enthusiasm which you can really feel, keep up this spirit. I was very interested to learn more about cetecean. It is a pity that we did not have time for more lessons, because they help to understand the behaviour of the mammals during the sightings. I really enjoyed this week.

Tanja, Germany
It was a wonderful interesting and relaxing week. We not only learned about ceteceans and saw some of them but also had a good time together. And the food was thanks to Paulo delicious! If you ask me to do this trip again I would do so immediately. I would just suggest to separate the group for the lessons in English and Italien speaking people always so you can concentrate better. And it would be good to have more lessons at the beginning to understand the animals better when you first see them.

Philippe, France

Une semaine enrichissante avec une equipe TETHYS très motivee et qui a fait partager sa passion pour les mamifères marins. De plus nous avons eu la chance de voir deux espèces de dauphins ainsi qu'une fin whale. Le capitaine ainsi que l'equipage composee de differentes nationalites
ont contribue a la reussite de ce sejour.

Stéphanie, France

Vraiment une belle semaine, humainement et cetaceans point aussi !!! une belle equipe de Thethys, bcp de motivations, et de belles rencontres avec les volontaires… ce doit etre la magie de la mer…. Et aussi de beaux reflets d eau pour la magie de l oeil qui photographie. Merci encore a tous et aux mammels animals…. Quella bella vita con voi !!!!! Gracie Mile.

Cruise CSR 15

Otto-Jan, Germany

Within the past six days we have experienced the miracles of nature. It has been a pleasure to see the cetaceans in the Lingurian Sea. Particularly the great pictures of five sperm whales spying on us was an experience one will never forget. Furthermore it was a great end for the trip on which we could see so many animals.
I must admit that I was a little sceptical to take part in a program in another country all by myself. But it turned out to be very interesting to share the life with some people from Italy and to get to know a little bit of their culture (although I often could not understand all that much;).
Great program, nice people and a lot of fun and excitement. I think those wordes could describe the past week. Thanks for everything,

Stefano e Piero, Italy

Condividere una passione, un'emozione, un'esperienza è la migliore medicina per l'anima. Quando si arriva a vivere un'emozione quasi mistica come quella dei giorni scorsi e soprattutto come quella di sabato sera(25/08/07) vuole dire avere la certezza che esiste un'energia che mette in vibrazione ogni parte, ogni cellula, ogni organo umani tasformandoci in un'unica entità spirituale.

Cinzia, Andrea, Arianna, Italy

Sopraffatta dalle emozioni di giornate dense di avvistamenti, mi sono lasciata andare alla lettura di lui, il Capodoglio. Presenza incorporea, ha abitato i miei sogni di bambina, il desiderio, finalmente realizzato, di cercarlo e vederlo con il binocolo di mio padre consevato per più di 40 anni nel buio della casa.
Il sonno mi ha colta mentre leggevo di lui.
Ho dormito, ho sognato, un avvistamento, due …
Il suo incomprensibile suono mi ha svegliata. "Sono due, forse tre!"
Mi precipito di vedetta, sono ancora stordita dal sonno.
Qualcuno lo vede. Li vede, sono due!!
Ad uno ad uno sono emersi con tutta la lentezza e la sicurezza che non ci appartiene più. Cinque, cinque esseri maestosi nuotavano a fior d'acqua, appaiati, affiancati, in piroette solo in parte intuite, in parte mostrate in tutta la loro incredibile, inimmaginabile maestosità.
Il tempo perde la sua dimensione, trovando un confine solo nell'avanzare della sera. Ma non possiamo smettere di guardare, di cercare una cattura impossibile sublimata in immagini.
Loro, i capodogli, si avvicinano, si allontanano, si sollevano, emergendo dal crepuscolo con le loro enormi teste tonde, si inclinano … ci guardano … li guardiamo. Il silenzio è assoluto, istanti di intensità in cui lo stupore ci avvicina all'assoluto.
In silenzio ci allontaniamo.
In silenzio ci lasciamo per un domani, ancora.

Anabella, France

Passer une semaine au sein du voilier Pelagos, observer les cetaces dans leur environnement naturel et partager la vie quotidienne de l equipage a bord est une magnifique experience. Un grand merci a Paulo, Catarina, Allessia, Massimo, Gianni, David et Mauro pour leur investissement et leur gentillesse durant cette semaine. Grace a eux j ai pu vivre et de tres beaux moments : naviguer aupres de mammiferes aussi magiques tels que les dauphins, les rorquals, les cachalots au sein de la Mediterranee fut pour moi une experience exceptionelle et intense en emotions ! Tous ces magnifiques moments et images me resteront lontemps en memoire.
Encore un grand merci a Thethys, je souhaite que cette experience nous soit profitable a tous et nous permette de realiser a quel point notre ecosysteme est aussi beau que fragile.

Federica e Michela, Italy

L'immensità dello spazio…l'incommensurabile bellezza di tutto quanto lo sguardo raggiunge.
L'indimenticabile sensazione nello scoprire "la vita".
…profonda commistione tra gioia, emozione ed un'intensa tristezza, volgendo il pensiero alla quotidiana fragilità dell'esistenza marina "ingabbiata" in una sofferente impotenza.
Grazia a voi tutti perchè l'unicità dell'esperienza ha scosso fortemente la mente e il cuore…indelebilmente!

Cruise CSR 16

Laura, United States

Thank you so much for the incredible experience. I loved helping and learning so much about the beautiful animals you are working to save, and the importance of this work - I only hope I personally can do something to help in the future. I am also inspired by the passion that each of the crew members brings to their work, and their love for the animals and nature, as well as the comraderie and beautiful spirit of the crew. It is truly inspiration for me as I look for my new career. I will always remember how you made me feel at home, especially since I chose to do this journey on my own, and the special care you gave to build team work. I especially loved the singing while you work (and Ale and Enrico's dance routine!). I am also thrilled to have a Risso dolphin and bambino named after me, but so happy to be part of the experience for Enrico, getting to see his dolphins in the wild for the first time. I and wish them the very best of luck. Enrico, please let me know if you find them again! Thank you, and hope to see you all again soon - you always have a home in Chicago.

Clemens, Germany

Well, while I did not now what will come with the journey, I was surprised in the best way one can imagine. It was not only the good combination of knowledge sessions and animal sightings, it was the perfect team spirit and a crew that was more than willing to explain every detail and every question. I did learn a lot about whales and dolphins during our week and additionally, a few things about yachting wich I did really enjoy. The crew helped in every sitaution - and the good sense of humour on board and the wonderfull italian style of engagement, happyness and ease of life in any discussion created an experience I will never forget. It has been a perfect balance of freedom and security / board routine every day. I also noticed the cautious behaviour of the crew when we where near animals, especially when there were newborns - these Ladies and Gentlemen not only talk about animal protection, they proof it every day with their scientific research.
Thank you Skipper, thank you crew and thank you team for this wonderfull week!

Gregor, Germany

Etsi difficile est creditu quem ea quae scribam legere posse, opportunitatem non omittam exprimere quo modo affectus gaudio sim eo itinere per mare Nostrum facto, praesertim cum mihi fuerit primo possibile delphines videre viventes. Lingua latina utor quod etiam ego ea laudam quae ceteri iam laudaverunt, mihi autem videtur variationis causa non in ea vestigia ambulare in quae alteri. Pulcha videndo animalia tam stupefactus sum quam Argonautes mare primi pinna invadentes et itaque spero PELAGOS nihil nisi laudem adepturum honoremque mysteria perscrutando maritima et in periculis prohibendis a cetis delphinibusque.

Anna, Germany

I started to think about spending one week on a cetacean research ship already 4 years ago and I'm so happy, that I finally had the opportunity to realize my plan now on the Pelagos. It's hard to imagine how it feels to see a dolphin when you know those incredible animals only from postcards or the television. Especially when you have personally searched for them with your own eyes and finally see a fin in the water.
In my opinion noone who loves these animals should go to a delphinarium but spent some time with people like Ale, Katerina, Mauro, Enrico and Max who do their work with so much passion and really respect the cetaceans.
I wish the Team all the best for their project and hope that there will be a law soon, that tells the rules for responsible whale watching in the mediterranean sea.

Matteo, Italy

Sono arrivato a fare questa esperienza "trascinato" dalla mia ragazza (Paola), un po' titubante vista la mia allergia al mare ed a tutti i suoi componenti.
Mi son dovuto ricredere subito trovandomi davanti ad una realtà veramente affascinate: il mondo della ricerca, della natura davvero libera con tutte le sue meravigliose creature ed il suo tempo imprevedibile e stupendo.
Durante questa settimana sulla Pelagos ho incontrato nuove persone che, anche loro, erano qui per amor dei cetacei, persone che svolgono il loro lavoro e seguono la loro passione accanto a queste meravigliose creature e pure una persona che porta in giro tutti quanti sul suo maestoso veliero (Paolo).
Dunque, a conti fatti è stata una magnifica esperienza: cibo, compagnia, bagni in mezzo al mare, paesaggi, vento, stelle…a, ovviamente anche Grampi e Stenelle :.
Ora stiamo veleggiando per tornare a casa-Portosole e successivamente a prendere il treno che ci riporterà nella nostra solita Milano…tutto questo rimarrà un indelebile ricordo nell'attesa che ci si possa nuovamente imbarcare in un'impresa così meravigliosa. Grazie di tutto a tutti: equipaggio e partecipanti.

Claudius, Germany

When I first arrived in san remo, I was really anxious about the whole trip and could hardly sleep. I didn't know if we would be able to do all the things required to keep a ship like the pelagos going and operational. But quickly it turned out that there was no stress at all and the crew would help with everything that I was unfamiliar with so far. And actually helping the researchers taking scientific data sometimes was very special.Just as special as seeing the animals up close and listening to their chatter on the hydrophone. Even the time that we had to stay in the harbour was interesting since we visited monaco and the oceanographic museum there as well.
Thank you Tethys Team and our great captain/chef-cook/entertainer Paolo!

Ulrike & Thomas, Germany

We spent a lovely week with the TETHYS -Team exploring the envirement BAY DES ANGES learning about > passiv traking < , listening the klick -language , we saw the silhouettes of the dolphins , sometimes their full beauty while swimming in the wave in front of PAOLO s plalace, We thank the team of Katharina ( the great ) for their lessons about sperm whales, dolphins and the way how to lokate them, the matching of the animals ( ENRICO ), the young generation of biologists is growing up , bravo! Hopefully we could give support to them and give the dolphins a future. Thanks a lot !

Grid, Germany

Thank you very much for a wonderful time and beautiful experiences. The team really impressed me and I got to know many fantastic people. My understanding of the sea has grown and it is very impressive to see the MAMMALS (not fishes) in their natural environment. I am glad that there are people like you preserving the sea and their habitants and I will not forget what I have learned here. I carry home a lot of pictures in my heart and am happy to have had the possibility to participate. Hope that this is not the last time we have seen us and you are all very welcome in Munich! All the best to you!!!

Cruise CSR 17

Jana, Switzerland

I have read some of the previous messages by travelers and I can only repeat all the thanks and fond remarks of so many participants. I have tremendously enjoyed the professional approach and lessons of our scientists on board (Nino, Max, Giovanni, Enrico), the sure and reliable navigation of our friendly singing captain Paolo and the joyful company of all the whale watchers. There was no stress, good food and many unforgetable meetings with our beautiful cetaceans.

Silvia, Italy

Non credevo potesse essere un'emozione così grande…davanti a noi un gruppo di 8 globicefali!
Una fortuna incredibile visto che era da qualche anno che non si riuscivano ad avvistare!
Da lontano si poteva vedere solo la pinna dorsale,un po' allungata e scura, ma non potevo immaginare quanto fossero grandi questi animali!!
Si sono raggruppati tutti vicino alla barca e tra loro abbiamo visto 2 piccoli…che tenero, uno di questi si è messo a nuotare a pancia in su ed ha sbattere la pinna caudale sull'acqua…sarà stato un messagggio per noi?!
E' stato davvero incredibile vederli a qualche metro da noi, il più grande sarà stato almeno 6 metri e poi che buffi con quel testone arrotondato!
Li abbiamo seguiti per 2 ore per registrare i dati che ci servivano, mentre li sentivamo di tanto in tanto chiacchierare tra di loro…speriamo che non stessero parlando male di noi!
Questa giornata direi che è stata proprio fantastica, ci siamo alzati presto, ma ciò è stato ripagato ampiamente perchè abbiamo avvistato un gruppo di stenelle, questo gruppo di globicefali ed infine abbiamo seguito la spettacolare immersione di un capodoglio che ha sollevato la coda proprio davanti alla barca a poche decine di metri da noi! Wow, senza parole!
Sono davvero contenta di questa settimana, ho vissuto in una dimensione un po' strana, ma assolutamente in sintonia coi i ritmi naturali, dove sono i cetacei ad avere la priorità su tutto…davvero un'esperienza unica, ma spero ripetibile al più presto!
Grazie a tutti i ricercatori che sono stati molto disponibili, il clima in barca è stato sereno e l'organizzazione direi perfetta!

Lorena, France

Thank you so much for every thing, that was my first time
On a boat, in the middle of water surrounded by wonderful cetaceans.
I will never forget this experience. So many emotions, actually I don't have enough words to explain what I felt and how special are my memories today … In few words, I'm in love with the sea!
Merci encore à vous tous et bon vent !

Walter and Franziska, Germany

Thanks for these wonderfull days on the boat. We will never forget them , also the cetaceans , the CSR-Crew and the rest of our group. During the lessons we learned a lot about dolphins and whales. It was very funny to talk in bavarian with Giovanni and Enrico… Thank you for all!

Geneviève, Switzerland

Many thanks for this beautiful week. It was so great that it is not possible to describe my feelings :o)
The 2 hours yesterday with the pilotwhales were an intense experience, thanks to the globicephali che ci sono fatti verdere. Je ne peux que souhaiter de revivre une telle expérience.
I wish Tethys and all the researchers a lot of success in their study. Take care and see you soon.

Cruise CSR 19

Barbara, Austria

The week on board was really great. I've seen much more ceteceans that I've expected. And I've learned a lot about the research. It was really interesting to watch the researchers at their work. Also the lessons haven been very interesting. I am happy that I've met Sabina and Vittorio, because they have so much experience. But also the other researchers know a lot about the ceteceans and I liked to listen to their stories. There have been only few participants (all have been very nice) and so we've had much space on our own. The meals have all been very tasty (thank you Sabina!). The time is nearly over now and I'm sad about that. But maybe I will return next summer to San Remo or maybe to the project in Greece.
Das schònste Erlebnis fùr mich war der Pottwal (Fourty) am Samstag. Wir haben viele Pottwale gesehen, aber so nah wie bei diesem waren wir bei keinem anderen. Das war wirklich sehr imposant. Ich bin ùberglùcklich, dass ich so viele Tiere sehen durfte.
I wish you all the best for the future. I hope your are able to help the ceteceans with your studies to survive.

Nelly, France

Ce sejour sur le Pelagos a reuni tout ce qu il fallait pour qu'il soit super :
. l'ambiance entre l'equipe de chercheurs, Paolo le skipper et les 'ecovolontaires'
. les cachalots nombreux et les dauphins. J'ai mis un peu de temps à comprendre qu'il vaut mieux regarder nager et sauter les dauphins et ne pas vouloir les photographier car on pert tout le charme de leur nage et de leurs sauts fluides, liquides et rapides. Ils apparaissent et disparaissent en quelques secondes …. alors garder vos yeus grands ouverts et bonnes chances.

Akemi, Japan

This is an incredible experience for me. I am so happy to see lots of Sperm Whales, Risso's Dolphins, and Striped Dolphins here. However, I should mention that it was not only cetaceans who made me happy here. Life on the boat is so fun with nice people. All the researchers were so helpful and informative and I really appreciate for their effort. I learned a lot at the museum guided by Giovanni, and lessons on board by Veronica, Vittorio, Francesca, and Sabina. I feel it was a very well balanced program. I also appreciated that they let us involve for a part of research, such as sighting shift and taking record of whale's blow.
I hope more Japanese can come and visit animals in the water and people on board. Life with European people itself is fun, and you will surely have an unique experience. I think I will come back next year, or another program in Greece. Thank you fo much everyone in CSR19 for sharing great experience!

Annie, France

Ce sejour inoubliable m'a permis de retrouver le plaisir de naviguer en pleine mer, mais surtout de decouvrir les cachalots et les dauphins: ces animaux sont veritablement fascinants et grace a la passion et l'emthousiasme de toute l'equipe de Tethys, nous avons pu comprendre un peu mieux leurs sons, leur nage, leurs habitudes, leurs comportements. Une grande lecon de curiosite et d'humilite face aux richesses des mers. Le bain en pleine mer, dans ce grand bleu et par 2000m de fond est aussi un moment vertigineux et inoubliable!
Merci a toute l'equipe presente a bord: Veronica pour sa vitalite, Francesca pour son sourire, Vittorio pour sa gentillesse, Giovanni pour son humour, Paolo pour sa conduite en mer, et Sabina pour ses lasagnes…, mais surtout pour l'impressionnante competence de chacun.
Bonne chance pour la suite de vos recherches a tous.

Helene, France

Des cachalots a 18 km de Monaco, personne ne me croira !!! Des dauphins qui jouent dans la vague d'etrave, ça a beau passer pour un cliché, on ne peut pas s'en lasser je pense… Ni des dauphins de Risso, au calme contagieux. Des animaux qui nous regardent parfois, nous entendent, et que les chercheurs respectent infiniment…
Ah, les chercheurs ! que de gentillesse, de disponibilite, de competence aussi! Il en faut de la patience pour expliquer, semaine apres semaine, a des ignares comme moi les consignes a bord, la place de chaque chose, les regles a suivre pour l'observation des animaux…Il en faut de l'indulgence pour les approximations en tout genre… Merci Veronica et Giovanni pour l'accueil si chaleureux!
Quel plaisir aussi que d'apporter une minuscule participation a leurs etudes… d'etre les yeux qui multiplient les chances de voir des animaux… au moins ça… comprendre le pourquoi et le comment de leurs recherches, s'interesser aux objectifs, aux methodes et au contenu, tout ceci etait aussi essentiel pour moi, et je sais gre aux chercheurs de leur disponibilite… j'ai appris enormement de choses, merci Francesca pour les leçons !
Chaque participant est venu avec des objectifs differents, chacun semble les avoir atteints, en creant une ambiance tres sympathique. Cette equipe cosmopolite et pas trop nombreuse me laisse de tres bons souvenirs. Parler anglais avec des Italiens, allemand avec une Autrichienne, apprendre quelques mots de Japonais, et d'Italien bien sur, c'etait vraiment un plus!
Je ne vais pas lister tout ce que j'ai aime durant cette petite semaine, j'ai tout aime !
L'eco-volontariat donne un vrai sens a des vacances. A refaire…
Merci aux chercheurs pour tout ce qu'ils m'ont appris.
Ah sorry je vous laisse, je vois un ziphius a 8 heures et une fin whale a 3 heures…

Roberto, Italy

What a wonderful experience! We have soon found a good feeling between partecipants and the resercher. There are no words for describe the emotions that looking a sperm whale at a couple of meters can give to you… It seems to be in a Mellville's Book (without the arpione). And what about riffo's dolphins (who I've sight!!) or the striped once jumpin' in front the boat. Unstead one the best things of the week was the coocking abilty of Paolo and Sabina joined to the help of some equipe members. I hope everybody enjoyed as much as me. Sperando che questa non sia che la prima di una lunga serie di "appuntamenti" with the happy cetacei, un saluto a tutti.

Cruise CSR 20

Monica, Switzerland

Esperienza che consiglio a tutti; sia gli appassionati di mare che I "principianti" come me hanno l'occasione di vivere una vacanza diversa dal solito. Uniche note negative, il tempo che ci ha deliziato di una situazione perfetta per solo una giornata, ed in questa giornata abbiamo avuto la fortuna di incontrare I globicefali (creature bellissime e dolcissime) e dei delfini (scusate ma non ricordo esattamente quali). In ogni caso ringrazio di cuore I ricercatori (Francesca, Nino, Mauro, Vittorio, Alessia, Elisa e Paolo) per la loro disponibilità, gentilezza e, non da ultimo, pazienza.
Kissà forse un giorno ci rivedremo. In ogni caso al mio ritorno a casa non potrò fare altro che parlare bene di questo progetto e dei volontari che ne fanno parte. GRAZIEEEEEEE :o)

Moni, Germany

I would like to thank Holger and my parents for the wonderful birthday present and MILLE GRAZIE to the Tethys researchers Francesca (now I love Tiramisu!), Alessia, Elisa, Nino, Mauro, Vittorio e Paolo to make my wish come true. I learned a lot from you. It is such an exciting experience to see whales and dolphins in nature and it is difficult to find the right words for describing the feelings. Although we had just one day of sightings (striped dolphins, Rissos dolphin, finwhale and 5 hours of pilot whales) it was a trip I would like to recommend everybody who is interested in cetaceans. I definitely will come back to San Remo to participate in another tour on the Pelagos.

Christa, Switzerland

Am ersten Tag auf See hat uns eine Grindwalgruppe einen Besuch abgestattet (und Risso's Delphine, ein Finwal und Streifendelphine), was die darauffolgenden "wal-losen" Tage (fast) wettgemacht hat. Das Forschungsteam und seine Kochkuenste sind grossartig… nicht zu vergessen natuerlich die Vorlesungen, die mir einen Einblick in die Biologie der Wale im Mittelmeer und in die Forschung von Tethys verschafft hat. Sehr empfehlenswert!

Annick, France

This has been my very first experience with an organisation such as Tethys Institute and I am totally thrilled about this week! The whole team is doing a tremendous work, they are very professionnal, experienced and passionnate people. Sadly, their work is still to less known by the large public, therefore I really do hope that thanks to their great idea of combining holidays and research assistance, all those little "actions" will become a huge big one! Fingers crossed..
Thank you very much to the whole team, I believe that you have totally managed to make us aware of the real risks the Mediterranean Sea is under, and to give us the incentive to do something about it. Best of luck and success to you all!

Guestbook 2006

Cruise CSR 02

Gabi, Adriana, Pascal and Christian , Switzerland

We thank the whole team of Tethys for a wonderful time on board of the Pelagos. Dolphins and fin whales will always be in our minds! And of course the Mola mola. Thank you very much the great week!

Anonymous

Sometimes in your life could happen something you don't wait for. You meet people, people from all part of the world, you've never seen before, new faces and new languages. At the beginning everything sounds very strange, the first day is like an adventure, but at the end when everybody say hello, when everyone comes back to his home and his life you remind that, maybe, you miss a thing… the Pelagos friends! Maybe you'll never see them anymore but you will have a photo in your mind that tells a story of dolphins, of a lonely whale, of sunshine, sangria, wine, of neverending spaces. Good luck to everybody, for your dreams.

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Julia , WDCS Austria/Germany

What a great place! The most beautiful boat, a wonderful research team and so many nice people! The weather gave us the opportunity to listen to some very interesting lectures, and we had several sightings of Striped dolphins - now we know that they are the most abundant species in the Ligurian Sea…Sabi and Fede, thank you so much for the time here on board of Pelagos, I hope that our cooperation will last for many many years and to see you again soon.

Caroline , Austria

Io cazzotto la bandiera! Although they started to kick me out of my job during the next week.
Beautiful way of work-ing on Pelagos, always enough time for sleep-ing, drink-ing, swim-ing and eat-ing Nutella. Mille grazie a tutti!

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Annika, Germany

Thank you so much for this awesome week. It was fabulous to stay on the boat Pelagos, waiting to encounter species you'd never get in touch with otherwise. It was such a pleasure to take part (at least a rather small one, but a part) in your research. And also thank you for patiently answering all my questions. This week with you will definitely have an effect on my future! And for the next time I hope we'll get to see some whales: Hope to see you again, somewhere… Grazie!

Lisa, Germany

Grazie for this wonderful week. I will never forget the silence with the dolphins. Hope to see you!

Mark, United States

Quite an adventure. Thanks for everything, especially the Limoncello. I hope you don't mind, but I am taking a striped dolphin with me. His name is Steven. I think he'll like the World Cup. Seriously, thanks for the amazing week and all the fabulous sailing. I couldn't imagine a better group of people to conquer the Ligurian with. Viva Tethys!

Melanie, Germany

Wonderful week. I wont forget it. The team was great and always friendly. And we have seen a lot of these gorgeous dolphins. So what could you want any more?

Katharina und Susanne, Germany

At first, we want to thank you so much for this adventurous trip. It was a unique atmosphere which will last for a long time. The team of researchers was extraordinarily sensitive and never hesitated to give any kind of information you asked for. But still they would leave you alone when you needed a nap : It was therefore educative and also relaxed. The group was fabulous, too! And we enjoyed the dolphins a lot!

Christine, France

Thank you so much for the kindness of the researchers, their assistants and the captain, who all do every thing they can to organise a pleasant stay for each, whereas they have a lot of work to do! I won't forget what you have all done for me the day I've "jumped" (!) ...

Katarina and Rebecca, Germany

We enjoyed the stay on the Pelagos!! Except for the first two days, because of the seasickness! The striped dolphins were great, brilliant and just gorgeous!! We thank you all for the support when we were sick! It was a great time that we will never forget! The crew (volunteers and researchers) were wonderful!

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Carlo Alberto, Italy

Per rispettare veramente le cose bisogna viverle, e il mare merita di essere rispettato. Quale occasione migliore per vivere il mare allora, che contribuire ai progetti di chi lavora per la sua salvaguardia? Con questo spirito mi sono avvicinato a Tethys e al suo Progetto per la salvaguardia dei cetacei, e con un po' di tristezza concludo queste ultime ore di una settimana a dir poco strepitosa, ricca di esperienze, difficile da dimenticare. Gli aggettivi si sprecano per descrivere questi sette giorni, a cominciare dall'equipaggio, un insieme di persone stupende, partecipanti e ricercatori, veramente fantastico. Ogni avvistamento è un'emozione diversa, i cetacei sono organismi a dir poco eccezionali, e fiancheggiare chi favorisce la loro tutela appaga oltre i normali limiti di una vacanza.
Personalmente ritengo che questa esperienza sia un "must", qualcosa da sperimentare a tutti i costi, vista la sua bellezza e i suoi aspetti formativi. Un saluto a tutti gli amici della Pelagos, con la speranza di incontrarci di nuovo in futuro!

Stefano, Italy

Un'esperienza entusiasmante. Queste sono le semplici parole che meglio descrivono la mia "avventura" a bordo della Pelagos. Infatti per raccontare tutte le emozioni che ho vissuto in questa settimana dovrei scrivere davvero molto e comunque, difficilmente riuscirei a darvi un'idea di ciò che ho provato. Potreste rendervene conto soltanto vivendola voi stessi quest'esperienza davvero unica! Data questa impossibilità di spiegare tutto ho pensato di riassumere in 4 punti generali cosa mi lascia questa piacevole settimana quasi trascorsa:
1) Innanzitutto mi ha avvicinato ad un mondo, quello dei cetacei, che quasi non conoscevo e sul quale ho potuto imparare molte cose e in maniera dettagliata ma divertente e soprattutto bella perché ho potuto capire vedendo in prima persona questi affascinanti animali.
2) Mi ha dato la possibilità di seguire la vita quotidiana del ricercatore in questo contesto e capire quali attività svolge e in generale chi è.
3) Mi è piaciuto trascorrere queste giornate avvero fantastiche in barca e imparare viverla in tutti i suoi aspetti
4) Le emozioni che regala la visione di questi animali è davvero forte e non capita certo a tutti. Vivere tutto ciò nel clima di amicizia che si è da subito creato in barca tra partecipanti e ricercatori completa ed esalta gli aspetti già riportati negli altri punti.

Aldo, Italy

Stiamo rientrando a Sanremo.Sta terminando una settimana che mi ha arricchito e fatto apprezzare il mare. Una settimana intensa ed emozionante. L'avvicendarsi sulla postazione per la ricerca dei cetacei.Il loro ritrovamento ed avvicinamento. L'accostarsi ai grampi e sentire il loro respiro e vederne il lento e rassicurante procedere. Le stenelle che ti ritrovi veleocemnte sotto l'imbarcazione. Le tartarughe e i pesci volanti che visti nel loro habitat ti ricordano quanto sia importante il rispetto dell'ambiente in cui vivono.Questa settimana, con un mare stupendo trascorsa armonia con i partecipanti e le simpaticissime ricercatrici e skipper lasciano un ricordo piacevole e la speranza di un futuro rincontro.

Fabrizio, Italy

Cosa dire, non c'è due senza tre! Ebbene sì, siamo al terzo capitolo ma mi sa che il libro sarà ancora lungo. Ogni anno si rinnova la magia. Il cocktail è semplice, metti insieme una barca elegante e frizzante, non per niente era del "sig. Berlucchi"…, un mare e un cielo blu e infiniti, una ciurma di 'vecchi' e nuovi marinai, e voilà si viene catapultati in un mondo meraviglioso dove se fai un po' di attenzione puoi vedere alcune incantevoli creature che nuotano ed altre che si aggirano per la barca raggianti del loro ammirevole entusiasmo nel quale irrimediabilmente ti avvolgono nel giro di poco tempo. Come al solito grazie e a presto…

Elena, Italy

Grazie per avermi mostrato che si può vivere in un altro modo, che esiste una strada per poter fare quello che si ama fare, continuate a credere in quello che state facendo, sappiate che quello che state facendo mi fa sperare che esiste un mondo che pensavo fosse solo un sogno….

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Nicky, England

Thank you for a fantastic week on board Pelagos. Seeing fin whales, striped and Risso's dolphins all on the first day was spectacular. The researchers, the captain and Nicola from WDCS have all been so kind and friendly. A week on board a boat with nice people, lots of sunshine, great Italian food and the opportunity to see some amazing cetaceans - what more could you ask for? I will definitely be booking another trip!

Chris and Rose, England

It is difficult to try to explain the spectacular sights we have seen this week, words don't seem to be able to do them justice, thank you for a fantastic experience that I will never forget.

Carole, England

Thank you so much for a marvellous week and for allowing me to share in your fantastic work. It has been a very sociable week and I have really enjoyed Sabina's recipes! The cetaceans are so beautiful and if everyone had the chance to see them in the wild, there would, I am sure, be no more captivity. Good luck in the future with your work, see you again!

Tim, England

A fabulous week with great people. The Tethy's team led by Sabina and Captain Roberto were very knowledgeable enabling some superb encounters with Fin Whales in particular. Definitely recommended and well done to the WDCS in the UK for organising the trip.

Chris and Colin, England

We came on this trip hoping to see something amazing, this trip exceeded all our expectations. The encounter with the fin whales was breath taking, we will never forget the time we spent so close to the second largest animals on the planet and we will never forget the people we met here on pelagos, thank you!

Eric, Belgium

Un grand merci pour cette semaine inoubliable. Le genre de trip qui vous donnerais bien l'envie de changer de vie. L'èquipage ètait fabuleux ainsi que les participants. Quand aux dauphins et baleines, c'est absolument incroyable de les observer dans leur milieu naturel et spècialement accompagné de personnes qui les respectent.

Sylvie, England

THANKYOU!!! An excellent week, never expected to see SO many cetaceans! 5 fin whales in 1 day, Risso's with calves & of course the fab stripeys! Sabina's food is AMAZING! - Thankyou! Wonderful crew - extremely knowledgable & clever - taught us loads. Excellent captain - Roberto!! Great companions to share the journey with - crew, WDCS guide,Nicola & fellow travellers. My ONLY down-side has been the sea-sickness, esp. the drowsiness with the tablets I took for it?! Finally getting used to the sea & it's time to go - wish I could stay another week! A wonderful experience, never to be forgotten… Hopefully will see you again to have another trip - maybe next year?! THANKS again! Best wishes for future trips!

Nicola, WDCS England

A most spectacular trip…breathtaking is the only word I can use to describe our encounters with the cetaceans of the Ligurian Sanctuary!! Thank-you to all the Tethys researchers (and of course el Capitain Roberto…..grazie bellisimo….:)…..), and please Sabina……sell your recipes!! I will never forget the time I spent with you all on Pelagos and will most definitely be back! See you very soon……..

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Sabrina, Italy

Thank you for the really nice trip!! In this week I Fulfilled my dream to the whales in their nature environment and not only in captivity! It was my first trip like that and I enjoyed it very much.

Paola, Italy

Grazie per questa splendida vacanza! Finalmente ho potuto vedere i delfini nel loro ambiente naturale, ed è stata un'emozione unica quando nuotavano a soli 50 cm dalla barca!!!!
Finalmente ho capito cosa voglio fare nel mio futuro quindi thank you.

Michaela, Switzerland

It was a fantastic trip with a lot of interesting moments that I will never forget. It showed me that in only one week you can learn and see so much which is very seldom in your daily life. I thank the crew for being so kind and friendly and I am looking forward to my next trip!

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Paolo, Italy

Purtroppo stiamo rientrando a Sanremo e stanno per terminare due splendide settimane;sono stati quindici giorni intensi nella quale abbiamo avuto l'oppurtunità di incontrare meravigliosi animali come zifi, balenottere, stenelle e tursiopi;proprio per questo vorrei ringraziare tutti i ricercatori i quali sono sempre stati gentili e disponibili nei nostri confronti,un grande ringraziamento va anche al nostro capitano Roberto. Arrivederci all'anno prossimo!

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Dagmar, Germany

You gave me water (even vine :) when I was thirsty. You gave me bread (even ham and cooked eggs) when I was hungry. You gave a lot of specific knowledge and plenty of emotions in only one week. Guys - believe me - it was an outstanding experience and so much fun for me to stay with you at the "Pelagos". I am grateful to all of you! Live long and prosperous with loads of Nutella, ginger and beer on board! Joy and Happiness to all the cheeky dolphins an huge fin-whales of the Ligurian Sea!

Mara, Italy

It not so simple to explain my feelings about this cruise… Every things were new in this week…the life on board, the sea, my first fin whale and striped dolphins…what emotion! One dream of mine came true! Thank all the staff for making me feel at home, for its professionality and "simpatia"!
Thank all participants to share with me their experiences, their joy and special moments in the sea and in Monaco….We saw 18 fin whales….bottlenose dolphins and striped ones…we are very very lucky crew!!! I came back home grow up and richer because of all of you. I will miss you but I know that you will be in my best records of my life! So thank you!!!!

Todd, United States

What a week this has been - all the time together at sea, together at work, and at rest, a