Employee's from Cabi Womens Apparel in Rancho Dominguez and others are all smiles after seeing three blue whales coutorsey of Harbor Breeze Cruises in Long Beach.
Photo- Pete Thomas Outdoors
At Cabi Clothing in Rancho Dominguez, quality control is paramount. Ramona Panteleon from Long Beach and her co-workers stand for 8 hours a day and inspect every inch of Cabi’s womens apparel so that what winds up in your closet is the best product possible. “I am just thankful to have work,” said Panteleon. “So many people are struggling now.”
In today’s economy, a whale watch trip may be out of the question for some so when Danny Salas from Harbor Breeze Cruises presented Panteleon and many of her co-workers and families an opportunity to go on a blue whale adventure Saturday, they jumped at the opportunity.
The memorable day started at the Aquarium of the Pacific where the group of 38 saw a variety of exhibits including a massive model of a blue whale. Also on the trip was 8--year old Hector Medina with his 10-year old brother Manuel. “Do you think we are going to see whales today?” asked Hector. “Espero que si mi amor,” responded his mother Gabriela. Their 15-year old sister Elizabeth was equally excited. "I can't wait to go," she said to her father Hector.
The group then boarded the Harbor Cruise vessel and headed out of Rainbow Harbor. They saw the Queen Mary, passed by massive container ships, and came upon a buoy loaded with California sea lions. Andy Ecute, age 10 and his sister Nathalie Escute age 3 were fascinated with the pinepeds never taking their eyes off the barking animals.
Before long, there were three massive leviathans off the ships bow. Panteleon brought along her two sons Gerardo and Alex along with her 2-month old granddaughter Trinity. “Oh my God,” said Gerardo. “They are so big.”
The three whales were located about 10 miles from port feeding on copious amounts of krill. The largest creatures to ever inhabit the earth, with a tongue heavier than an elephant and a heart the size of a Volkswagen, fluked several times for the first time whale watchers.
"It's incredible just how close these creatures are to the coast," said 77 year old Mary Guzman from Costa Rica. "I am so glad to be here."
The whales put on an hour long show coming to the surface several times to the oohs and aahs of the appreciative group. Representatives from the Aquarium of the Pacific not only narrated the trip but also came around to answer questions and to show the new cetacean lovers real baleen.
“I will never forget the beautiful things we have seen today,” said Ramona Panteleon. “This was a very special day for all of us.”
Wonderful post on having a good adventure to see the blue whale. I did see these blue whale when I was travel to Europe. It was really great adventure to see the marine animals. I see the group of Dolphins and Having a colorful fishing inner side of ocean.
Posted by: Bilmar Cruises & Tours | 08/05/2011 at 11:11 PM
Thank you so very much. We all had such a great time and as you say, it's an adventure. Hope you get out to see them again soon and take great care.
Posted by: Philip Friedman | 08/06/2011 at 07:16 AM
This makes me so jealous! I went on a blue whale spotting expedition last year and we didn't see one. They are beautiful creatures, hopefully when we go again this year we'll have more luck
Posted by: Sydney harbour wedding cruises | 09/18/2011 at 05:56 PM
thank you for your post
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