Walking with Whales II

Hearing the whales

“Long time ago I read, in an article from an old natural history magazine, that Inuits –in the Arctic- have a place were they go “to hear the whales…” Seated on the pebble beach -located only a few kilometers from the city of Puerto Madryn, in Patagonia- I remembered that article and smiled grateful. The Southern Right Whales swim in front of me only a few meters from the coast. I can see their evolutions, their behavior, hear their voices and –also occasionally- smell their breath…”

(From Dinosaurios “Relatos y Sueños de un Guardafauna by Carlos A. Passera)

Last year I wrote in this blog a post called “Walking with Whales”. Again I feel the need to share a bit of that incredible experience of being so intimate with the whales. Nothing, photos or descriptions, can explain the privilege of that incomparable rendezvous with them. But let me try again. Since April to end of October we go almost every day to the beach called El Doradillo –distant only 17 kilometers from the city of Puerto Madryn- to enjoy the gentle giants: the Southern Right Whales. Year after year the feelings are the same: astonishment, fascination, harmony and gratitude… Even though we are enormouslly privileged to rise every morning and see the whales through the window of our home in the city, and spy them at any time during the day on our way to the bank or doing shopping or driving to work, going to El Doradillo is a balsam.

Not one or two whales living freely their lives, no, dozens of them pass by in front of the people, no further than 5 to 10 meters from the shore. Nursing their calves, mating, breaching, lob tailing, doing –not more and surely not less- than living their own life.

Enjoy the photographs.
Carlos & Carol Passera Photos: Carlos & Carol Whale season at Peninsula Valdes: End of April to end of November; At El Doradillo area and from Puerto Madryn waterfront end of April to end of September.

NEW OLD CAUSANA

RELOADED

After a few months of doubtful introspection we return to our communication through our blog. The world wide economic debacle changed many things. Traveler’s ways of choosing their trips too… We tried hard to adapt our travel offers to the situation, but in many cases that meant less quality. Disappointed with the general panorama, the politicians point of view (massive tourism in the natural areas), and greedy behavior of colleagues, we took time to re-think our idea of working with tourism.

Our new web site reflects some of that, but essentially we decided to do what we know. Work as we feel we have to work: giving quality, knowledge, and rewarding experiences. Economic facts are important, but for true travelers, the experience is what matters most. A recent trip to Mongolia –probably the last free land on earth- inspired us to go deeper in our way of designing our travel programs. Beyond the unbeaten path there is a different Argentina. Culture, landscapes, people, colors, smells, nature, wildlife… All is there waiting for the avid true traveler.

Practicing Responsible Tourism is our goal, and our next October trip “Weaving Andean History” an example of the New-Old way of travel for Causana Viajes. Especially designed by Carol, for our old friend Audrey Benedict from Cloud Ridge Naturalists, the trip emphasizes in the ancient weaving tradition of Argentina. The trip roams from the Northwest to Patagonia, learning the different techniques of each region. The Inca influence at the North and the Tehuelche and Mapuche aborigine practice in the South. The voyage visits little towns, textile cooperatives, some of them way out of the touristy routes, and takes a look at the new mixture between designers who use the ancient techniques for new fashion models.

With your help we want to repeat this travel experience every year to help people of the communities. This and others trips are waiting for you. Until our new web site is finished, we update you through our blog. Carol & Carlos

COMMITMENT WITH NATURE

Good News from the Directors desk

Causana Viajes has always believed in sharing profits with conservation projects, has obtained important land donations for local ONG’s, and at our initial years even helped form a local ONG that works protecting, researching and education about the Patagonian coastal orcas. Through our 13 years of existence we have employed as many local people as possible, formed guides and tour leaders. This is one of the principles of Ecotourism, or sustainable tourism we have been able to fulfill. I am happy to announce that in 2009 we decided that the funds obtained in the year 2008 for this purpose would have a new destination. The idea is EDUCATION. To educate travelers and locals equally by publishing books, pocket fieldguides and even our new blog.

Today I am pleased to announce the book DINOSAURIOS, Relatos y sueños de un Guardafauana by Carlos A. Passera. The first part of the book is stories about the Passera’s family experiences at Punta Tombo and the years Carlos was a “guardafauna” (Park Ranger) at this immense penguin colony. The second part is about Carlos’s dreams of what he would like to happen to the Nature Reserve of the province of Chubut in the near future. His goal with this book is to create debates and forums of discussion and why not waken some of the dormant authorities. This province was a pioneer in conservation in Latin America in the 1960’s and we wish it would remain that way so Carlos is trying to shake us all and waken us while we read his second part of the book. The Fundación Patagonia Natural (FPN), The Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina (FVSA), the Instituto de Enseñanaza Superior (IDES) and Causana Viajes recommend the reading of DINOSAURIOS . The author of the book ilustrations is Juan Carlos De Souza, a young voluntier from Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina, and now an Agronomist Engineer. The title of the book comes from a conversation Carlos’s had with a colleague many years ago while they were on assignment writing an article for a BA magazine. His Friend “the Negro Acosta” said to Carlos: - “ You are a dinosaur”, - What? – Carlos asked. - “Yes, you and the “fat guy of the whales”, and so many others that look for the last pure corners of the Earth, are DINOSAURS. You are condemned to extinction because you dream about an ideal world that languishes. Practice your Spanish so you friends, who care about nature like we do, can read this book and participate in the debate. Carol Mackie de Passera