The sun sets on the open sea I can see from my balcony. I write from Southeast Alaska, a place so pristine and unpopulated I can easily understand its magnetic nature. Those that I surf the seas with are not like Alexander Supertramp, however, they are aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner, a luxury, 700 passenger cruise ship. With 500 staff, the staff to passenger ratio is almost 2:1. Living on a cruiseship is an experience unlike any other. Like Catalina island, I am limited as to who I can spend time with and what I can do. Also like Catalina island, the benefits are many, regardless of the limitations. What am I doing here? Well, I’m a naturalist for a youth program. I'm working for Jean-Michel Cousteau's program, Ambassadors of the Environment, to teach little ones (ages 9-17) onboard about Alaskan ecoyststems, the environment, sustainable living, and Alaskan culture, etc. In the meantime, I myself also learn and experience and do all I can to soak it in because I know, the 11 weeks I am to work here will be over far too soon. Last week I saw 9 humpback whales bubble-net feeding (a way they hunt small schools of herring is to, in a group, make a circle and dive underneath the fish and then blow air bubbles- the fish get confused and are trapped, and the whales come out of the water with their mouth open). And tonight the whales did not fail to impress one bit either. I get to take advantage of being an "escort" on tours, an amazing job benefit, and it was AMAZING. We saw at least 15 different orcas, or killer whales, and a mama and baby humpback also. The silence that swept over the crowd on the boat was testament to the awe we all felt as we were instantly humbled by these graceful creatures. The humpback even started showing off a little- slapping its fluke and waving its pectoral fin. Sometimes you might see this behavior from humpbacks as they try to “stun” a school of fish and then eat them. With throats only as big as grapefruits, they have developed ways to be successful and survive in feeding. I soak it all in, enjoy these majestic enormous creatures, and hope we all do whatever we can to help these animals continue to not only survive, but thrive. The floating balloons I see on the ferry from Catalina Island are similar to the plastic water bottles I see floating by a whale watching tour boat- in that people created them and tossed them aside. Without a thought to what journey the balloon may encounter later on, how it might end up in the pacific gyre, or in the stomach of an unsuspecting albatross, what we know is that it WILL have an impact. Whether the results of our behavior are right in front of us or not, it IS up to us to protect what we have. I feel a deep connection to these animals, and seeing them in the wild with the opportunity not just to learn but to teach others about their behaviors is one step towards a better future. I am constantly humbled by these animals as I enjoy each moment in Alaska, knowing it will be over far too quickly. There’s no time like the present.

And just in case you're wondering, whale's breath does NOT smell good!!! But, I'd happily smell it again, anytime!