(sound the Mission Impossible theme song)

I have a mission for you that is similar to the shark diving, on which you've been offering advice.

In the summer in Churchill on the Hudson Bay of Canada are pods of Beluga Whales. There is at least one operator that will rent you a dry suit and let you snorkel with them. I want to do that but would prefer to talk with someone who has gone first. You seem to be a likely candidate!

Should you decide to accept this beluga mission, I think you'd have fun and you could even check up on some of your polar bear buddies that hang around when the snow melts.

Any thoughts? This mission could also be undertaken by willing participants who are not Thit Cho.

This post will not self destruct in 5 seconds.

This sounds like a very exciting mission. You should do it Michael and let us know how it is

Jenn

He's probably already done it! ;-)

Thanks, I visited Churchill in October 2005 (less than a year ago) to see the polar bears (I posted a trip report in the Canada forum). I went with Frontier North, and they also run trips to snorkel with the belugas, which I heard is interesting, but cold and very buggy when out of the water.

I have my northern trip planned already, though, for next Summer (Alaska, to visit Fairbanks, Denali, Brooks Lodge and Kenia Fjords NP).

Thanks for thinking of me, but I'm shivering already thinking about snorkeling in 33 degree water.

Very buggy? That could be a drawback. I know it's cold but they do give you a dry suit to use which is warmer than a wetsuit. Thanks for the response. Your Alaska trip should be a winner, no snorkeling required.

Lynn - I know this isn't Beluga in Canada but Charles Glatzer does a workshop with the Manatees in Fla. in Feb that might interest you. I think his all time biggest selling image is a manatee shot. http://199.236.92.133/workshops/mana...kshop_2007.htm

Shoot, I thought for sure Michael would be game for this I'm just kidding.

What types of bugs are around?


Jenn

Thit Cho,
The diving in Alaksa is cold, but spectacular. You really should try it. We also had a great time playing on the ice bergs near a glacier. Great Fun!!

Shari

Hooo sounds exciting... TOO exciting for me! Pete and I are off to Norway for a couple of days over Xmas with my parents and my sister. The trip is centred on killer whale watching and my sister and Pete have signed up to snorkel with the killer whales.

Quite apart from the fear factor the idea of getting into the SEA in the practically Arctic waters of Norway in the middle of December were definitely enough to put me off this particular adventure! I'll be staying dry in the zodiac!

I have gone snorkeling with manatees in Crystal River, Florida, and the water is very warm, but we still wore wetsuits. I got great underwater photos of the manatees. I visited in January 2001, and combined a visit to Crystal River with the Super Bowl (even though the Giants lost terribly).

Michael,

Did you seriously expect Kerry Collins to QB a win for the SB?

Hari

Kavey,
Please report back on the whale watching and snorkeling in Norway. I'd love to see photos too. Thanks!

Will do!

Norway sounds wonderful. Put in a link here when you return for those of us who don't visit the Europe forum much.

Funny you should mention the manatees in Crystal River. I had a free ticket from a flight fiasco awhile ago so I'm going back to Crystal River between Christmas and New Years.

I am really watching my weight because last time I went I had gained a few pounds prior to leaving and my wet suit was so hard to get on that I skinned my knuckles pulling it up. The air was also unseasonably warm last time so no shivering when you got back on the boat.

I expect much cooler air this time but hope to return with unscathed knuckles.

Yeah, I thought Michael would jump at the beluga opportunity too.

Back to the bugs, do we know if they are mosquitos? I'm picturing wearing a dry suit with a wrap of buzz-off gear.