Day 6

Friday-

From the time I started planning the trip and looking up what there was to do in Boston, I had been the most excited for this day. That's because we planned a whale watching tour. We were going to go out on the open ocean and find whales. I figured it's pretty much a guarantee to see one, because they give you a voucher for free tickets if you don't get to see one.

This is obviously not my picture, but here you can get an idea of how the boat looked.


We loaded on the boat and took our seats at the head of the boat where we could see the most and feel the waves the most. Much to our dismay, there were about 3 school groups taking a tour that day and so the kids flocked to the railing at the front of the boat right in front of where we were sitting. It took about 15 minutes after leaving the dock to realize how FREEZING we were going to be sitting there in the wind, so we moved inside until we got to where the whales were. It was nice inside because all kids had set their stuff down and gone back outside so we were pretty much alone.

Once we left the harbor we were hitting HUGE waves. They warned us before we got on the boat that we would hit 4-5 foot waves and if you get sick to take precautions. They weren't kidding. Our boat was literally going up 4-5 feet and coming back down and back up. I have had no experience out on the open ocean, but this was crazy. The kids on the front of the boat were flying into the air. Literally. In fact Daniel and I were flying into the air and we were seated. They decided that the waves were too bad to keep going so they made everyone take a seat and they turned the boat around.

We were now sitting next to 60 disappointed 12 year olds. I think our heads were hurting more than our stomachs at that point. Daniel and I realized why we don't teach elementary school. Kids are LOUD!! Unfortunately the wanted everyone seated so we were pretty much stuck for the hour ride back and worse, we faced the same disappointment as the kids.

That is until they stopped the boat and let us come outside for a minute. The captain had spotted a shark. A SHARK?!?!?
It was really eerie how it stayed right next to our boat watching us as we watched it. Slowly moving in closer.

And closer....


No wait. That's not a shark- it's a sunfish. A Mola Mola- whatever you want to call it. But we were so lucky to have seen one. The captain had NEVER seen a sunfish up so close so this was WAY cooler than seeing a whale. (Can you sense my sarcasm??) Well we took our turn looking at the sunfish and stepped away so others could have a turn. Daniel and I were standing on the other side of the boat when a Seal popped out of the water. For me, seeing the seal was WAY cooler than the sunfish, but the captain and tour guide hardly even acknowledged the seal, so we had the view of him to ourselves. He popped up and down playing peek-a-boo with us so fast that I couldn't even get a picture.

The good news was that we would receive vouchers for a free tour, and we could POSSIBLY figure out a way to work it in the next morning.


I can't say I was totally disappointed about turning around. After seeing people in all corners of the boat throwing up, and the 4-5 foot waves rocking us, I can't say my stomach felt all that great.