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Gwaii Haanas Mothership Tours - Guest CommentsThanks to all the kind and generous people that I’ve so liberally quoted. And thanks, of course, to all of my guests over the past few years. You were all wonderful shipmates and gave more than you got in terms of sharing your own knowledge and understandings of the mysterious workings of the world. More and more I have come to realize that it's the people as much as the place that makes these trips so memorable. Perhaps because of the participatory nature of my trips and our dependency on each other in so many ways, the groups more often than not function like a small tribe voyaging back in time. Although I can't say that we travel close to the land in comparison to a self-propelled kayaking group, we do travel in relatively simple circumstances, which somehow seems to be appropriate to the place. I have been travelling to the more remote corners of the Charlottes for quite a while now. People wonder how I seem to find everything fresh... new and ready for discovery. The answer certainly involves the wonder of the place itself but also the enthusiasm of my shipmates as I see things again for the first time through their eyes. Thanks to you all for making these trips so enjoyable and memorable for me as well. From Our 2013 Guest Log:July 16 – 22nd, 2013 Awesome trip guys! So much to explore, so much to do. We barely put a dent on the islands and had six full days of fun. I will be back. Thanks to Barrett and Ryan Exploration every day was terrific - new sites, new sounds, great company. The calm waters at night were amazing on the ocean. Thank you for sharing some of your special spots. July 22 - 27th, 2013 All best wishes to our superb captain, Barrett and his trusty assistant Ryan, who made this week as wonderful as it could ever be - utterly unforgettable. A fine boat, good people, excellent food, and a spectacular place. Thanks especially for providing an entry pass to several of the many cultural layers in these islands. So long and thank you for all the fish. July 28 - August 2nd, 2013 Memories for a lifetime! Thanks for making this trip possible and for sharing your love of Haida Gwaii. We will treasure these memories and share them as part of our oral history in good Haida style. Barrett, thank you for the friendship and all that you taught us. I learned a lot just watching. Ainsley, thank you for joining us and for sharing all of your knowledge of the area. All the best to you both. Aug 3 – 9th, 2013 Great company; great scenery; great food, paddling and fishing. A privilege to get to know this place and this crew! Thank you for your caring, attention and showing us how to relax. An experience of a lifetime shared by a great group (who will likely remain good friends), and of course our courageous crew – calm and cool at all times. We had an adventure. It couldn’t have been better. So many thank-you’s to be said – there are hardly words for them all. Thank you for all of your good work, terrific skills, and gracious generosity. This trip was “awesome” as Duck would say. You gifted us with a set of memories that will be indelibly etched in my minds eye. Nothing could have been better than the adventure we had here in Gwaii Haanas. August 9 -14th, 2013 Still waiting for the “down hill”! This has been a truly awesome experience. Thanks Rob and Lexi for all you did to make the trip so memorable. Haida carvers, Haida culture, paddling, birds, whales, paddling, sea lions, sea urchins, seaweed, paddling, sea-everything, oh yeah, and bush whacking. Thanks for showing us such a diverse and stunning part of Haida Gwaii. I enjoyed learning about jigging, trolling, and crabbing too, not to mention eating, oh yeah, and paddling!!! Thanks Rob and Lexi for being special. August 15 - 21st, 2013 Thank you for the opportunity to experience Haida Gwaii to the fullest. We enjoyed all it had to offer – rain, rain, thunder, lightning, wind, calm and of course sun! I think that pretty much covers the weather! The meals were fabulous Lexi, as well all of your expertise, knowledge and hospitality. I am very grateful we were able to experience this trip with you both. It has been a dream to return to Haida Gwaii and experience “the south island.” We have loved our experience, the amazing kayaking, the scenery, the wonderful Lexi and her absolutely delicious cooking, and the experience of all weather patterns. The wildlife has been so exciting and the wonderful heritage of the villages at rest – it is a pristine and special part of the world to be treasured by all. August 22 - 28th Island Bay, thank you for being my home for six days. Barrett – trust you man. Thanks for being the captain for a trip of a lifetime. When Blake and I moved up to Masset for four months, we knew we had to go to Gwaii Haanas. Thankfully the stars aligned and we had the privilege of spending an amazing week with Barrett on the Island Bay. Our trip was far beyond what we had imagined. Gwaii Haanas is truly a magical place and we feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to experience the life of these island. From breaching whales from a mama bear and her cubs, sea lions and seals coming within arms reach, to swimming alight with bio-luminescence… the list goes on. Every day was full of surprise and adventure. We can’t thank you enough Barrett for hosting us. You are an incredible chef, fisherman extraordinaire (jigging up cod and rock fish before breakfast), and an ever-patient leader. Thank you for sharing your love and knowledge of this special place with us. It will be a week that we will be recanting for years to come. Many thanks. Coming all the way from Munich Germany to make this wonderful trip, was a wonderful and great experience. Barrett, our captain during the trip, took great care of us and then some. We have relaxed from the daily grind, to enjoy nature, the sea, wildlife. Barrett reduced our life to the max! Thank you so much. September 2 - 7th, 2013 This week has been one I will never forget. Day after day it got better and better, from the beautiful weather to the amazing food, stunning sites, and of course the unbeatable company. Thank you Rob and Ryan for sharing with us such an incredible place. Your hospitality was incredible. I am already planning my next trip into the park. Remember if you ever need an onboard nurse/halibut fisher lady, I am your girl. Thank you so much, looking forward to seeing you again! This has been a magical week. My goal was to see the life and history of Gwaii Haanas. I saw and experienced so very much more. Thank you to captain Rob for fist, having an honest website and complete instructions to prepare, then – for the most varied and flexible time each day – accommodating all of our wishes and not promising anything! I enjoyed everything (understatement). A little challenge was good. A lot of viewing and time to just absorb was good too. Thank you Ryan for awareness, skills in so much, and care. Kayak coaching was good for me – brought me to a higher level and inspired me to keep learning. I do appreciate it! Thank you to the “Island Bay” for being such a comfortable and working boat. I will miss this boat too. I cannot think of a better way to experience this area. September 8 -13th, 2013 Thanks for a great trip. I was happy to bring along a sun for the last week of the season. Ship and trips are run like a well oiled machine, as are chef Ryan’s meals. Rob seems to have prepared for every possible mishap. Would love to return one of these days.
Rob, this voyage of discovery with you was probably the best six-consecutive day period of my life. I've had lots of great experiences before, but to sustain the magic day after day is almost beyond belief. The Islands will always hold a special place in my memories. Crew to Captain Doom...thank you for a fantastic trip! You provided a humorous and capable gateway into the enchanted land of Haida Gwaii. So many layers of adventure and spectacular events. You are great as host, guide and dexterous problem manoeverer (from feasting to laying prawn traps to disembowelling the boat). You are the Doomslayer! My hat is off to you.
"Thank you for taking us on a journey that will reverberate in our psyches and souls. Your love of this land, sea and sky shows itself deeply, and helped me to connect to it quickly" "Many thanks for straight wakes, enjoyable conversations, trips to rookeries and kind introductions to all of the Haida Gwaii Watchpeople. All of us had a thoroughly magnificent trip." Thank you for a completely fantastic experience! It was a pleasure and an honor to be on this trip with you, amongst friends and family, on such a wonderful boat. Every minute of the day from magnificent sunrises to shooting stars with fiery tails after midnight, was spectacular. Thanks for sea-shepherding us with such grace and humour. Our Captain Rrrrrr: From one chocolate lover to another, a thousand thanks wouldn't be enough to express my gratitude to you. Thank you for sharing your love of the Charlottes. I know everyone has said it before but this is truly a trip of a lifetime that I will never forget. Thanks for a great week! Can't imagine experiencing the Charlottes without your expertise. You truly gave us long days and showed us some of the best! Loved the low tide paddles, the forest walks, the prawns, crabbing and halibut. I'll be back for the big one! A week of wonder, of exploration, of delight and surprises, of challenges and new experiences! And all under the guidance of "my Captain, my Captain". Left and right brains fully stimulated. Many thanks Rob. Thanks for taking us on the eleventh hour and being such a good guide in this timeless place. It feels like we've been looking forward to experiencing the Charlottes forever and finally realized the dream. The first four lines of the poem alluded to above are: "Karel, Thanks for being such an entertaining, patient and knowledgeable guide and Captain. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. "Awesome" seems to cover it best.” "Karel, Thanks so much for enabling us to see so much. Your knowledge and love of the land, sea, people and history was a treasure. Thanks for your easy going nature and your smile. We know we'll be back again." "Karel, This trip covered it all - sometimes all in one day! What more could we ask for... Rob, we missed you, but Karel did an amazing job! Thank you both." A trip filled with truly wonderful experiences catching crabs, halibut, prawns, great meals, laughs, bonding with truly great old friends, wildlife viewing, native history. Rob is a great Captain - knowledgeable, easy going and a friend. Thanks for everything. A wonderful week where all the cares of the world were suppressed by the will to survive. Wonderful crew! Wonderful guests! And a great Captain! Thanks for getting us through hell and high waters - to all the spots we so wanted to see! Glad to know that the essence of Haida Gwaii endures... Many thanks for a nautical adventure we'll long remember. You are a fine skipper, not just for your navigational prowess, but your ability to inspire this most motley crew. Remember us fondly. This has been the best. Good times, good food and friends. We had a wonderful time!! We enjoyed the Island Bay and all the stops in this timeless place. Thanks for a memorable voyage! What a unique mixture of B.C.'s natural and cultural heritage. This trip exceeded all my expectations of the Queen Charlotte Islands. You have a great knowledge of the area. Thanks for choosing such wonderful places for us to kayak and camp. Thank you Rob for your patience, expertise and enthusiasm. You really did make it a wonderful experience. The six years I waited to come on this trip were worth it! A dream come true (and I got to see a bear from a kayak)! It does not get any better than this. Thank you Rob for this adventure. I never imagined I could see so many marvelous places and animals during these six days. I can only say: an unforgettable experience. "Je m'en souviendrai tres longtemps, c'etait phantastique". Thank you for this extraordinary experience. It was wonderful to spend time with a group of incredible people, exploring this spectacular environment. Thank you for your patience, dedication and above all, your passion for this land and it's people. Your presence provided a gateway for us to explore the past and present of a remarkable place and a remarkable culture. Thanks for a wonderful tour of "God's Country"' I totally enjoyed myself thanks to your great operation. I appreciate a safe trip. Loved being on this boat surrounded by water and the soft shapes of distant mist covered hills. Your library was a source of wonder. I wish you smooth sailing. Thank you, Rob, for a wonderful holiday! Your many talents made the experience incredible! Your skills as Captain are top notch in every way. Rob, you have been the most gentle of guides. Every detail of the trip, as every detail of the Tomram is well thought out and executed. Thank you for your flexibility, your generous spirit and your quiet teaching. I have fallen in love with the Misty Isles and can only hope to return. Thanks for a great and gentle adventure. Haida Gwaii caught my imagination twenty years ago. Being here on Tomram with you and our friends was a dream come true. Every day was fantastic. There were "no worries" with your expert planning and guidance. I finish our trip renewed and refreshed. I look forward to our return and keeping in touch. This trip was the best of introductions to Haida Gwaii that I can imagine. Everything about the islands is spectacular, but having a knowledgeable and congenial guide gave me a depth of experience I would not otherwise have had. Thank you for a truly memorable trip. I look forward to returning. I've been looking forward to a kayak trip to the Queen Charlottes for the last ten years. I had extremely high expectations that were met or exceeded every day. Thank you so much for all the energy, time and effort you put in to make these trips possible. Every day was a new adventure on the Tomram! Thank you for showing us this incredible area. We had many once-in-a-lifetime experiences and lots of fun. We appreciate your hospitality. It takes a special kind of Skipper to entice a non-swimmer into a kayak. That pretty much sums up the trip - exciting, broaching new experiences, overseen by the steady, assured hand of a seasoned pro. This trip was not merely unforgettable. It was a trip that really becomes a part of you. Many, many thanks. Wow, six days over already! What an awesome trip! Great food, fishing, walking, kayaking, weather and the best skipper. (thanks Shannon...) Thanks so much for sharing this uniquely beautiful part of the world with us! For such a short time we'll have enough memories to last for years. Everything was just perfect. Thank you for that splendid trip through South Moresby. It exceeded our expectations! Traveling on the Island Bay was great fun and the availability of kayaks for excursions off the boat enhanced our experience of the scenery and wildlife immeasurably. You were a wonderful host and tour guide. We’ll be back! A trip of a lifetime. Great scenery, great adventure. Many many Howas (thanks) to our Captain and guide Rob who made us all feel so special. Your skiff Commander, There’s no way we could record on film the memories we’ve stowed away on this trip. We were looking forward to the trip of a lifetime and in no way have we been disappointed. Your love of the environment, wealth of knowledge and your expertise in handling your craft made this one fun-filled week we’ll always treasure. And as Bri would add...."It doesn’t get any better than this!!" ‘Twas magical, enjoyable and unforgettable - thanks to Rob’s great knowledge of these Islands. A totally wonderful and beautiful trip - a great adventure. I could handle several more weeks of the same. Thanks for the memories. Charlottes 101 has been a fantastic experience. Thanks Rob for arranging the fine weather, minke whales, super kayaking with splendid wildlife viewing as well as taking care of all the logistics, sea negotiations and tugboat care. I’ve felt very much at home aboard your boat and that’s a great credit to your temperament and attitude. You get A’s in all areas and I’d like to repeat the experience. Thank you for showing us the Charlottes in such fine fashion. We enjoyed the "funkiness" of the Tomram and learned a great deal of your wealth of natural and historical knowledge of the area - you obviously love what you do. As for the Charlottes - what a place! It’s reassuring to know that places like this still exist. Thank you for a wonderful experience and best of luck in the future! This trip has truly blown me away and has had a big impact on me in many ways - I hope we’ll do this again in future. Thanks for showing us that there is peace and beauty in this hectic world. Your knowledge of the area, the people and the history made this a rich experience. The end has come too fast! A perfect trip, good company, good food, magnificent environment. Hope all your guests enjoyed the trip as much as we have. Thanks, Good company, wonderful things to see and experience and a captain with a sense of humour! I really enjoyed the birds, the trees, the moss!! The Haida villages are awe inspiring and unforgettable. Very many thanks Rob for your generosity and giving of local knowledge. This trip will be a very happy memory. Is there anything left to say? These six days have been so enjoyable, fun including the rain. Kayaking was a new experience, why did I wait so long to try it. Thank you so much for providing the opportunity to see and do all these new things and for sharing your knowledge of these fantastic Islands. "Thank you for taking us on a journey that will reverberate in our psyches and souls. Your love of this land, sea and sky shows itself deeply, and helped me to connect to it quickly" "We've been raving about the Charlottes too much… There really is no need to go to Fiji or Hawaii with all of this in our back yard. Need I say more…we were impressed!" "You've made this this wilderness alive with your intimate knowledge. Thank you for your generosity and integrity in sharing it." Sept 2-8, 2011 Thank you so much for an amazing trip. You were a great guide & captain. Thanks for taking us through the incredible forest and kayak excursions. I loved it! Had an amazing time! Thank you for a wonderous trip, awesome company, unforgettable sights and a memorable adventure. July 8-13, 2012 Fabulous! Loved all the wildlife, kayaking, eating fresh fish/seafood, visiting the historic Haida villages and reading about/immersing in the culture via the wonderful onboard library! The days have gone by so quickly and we certainly enjoyed them all. The trip of full of amazing experiences and once in a lifetime moments. We take home with us memories and photos of this incredible place. The marine life, cultural history, kayaking, fishing, reading and eating was all excellent. The captain and crew were wonderful. Thanks to all Aug 7-12, 2012 Aug 21-27, 2012 The Island Bay transported us well, but Barrett you brought it to life in every way with your penultimate skippering skills. What a great way for our family to be introduced to the wonders of Gwaii Haanas (and for John to be reintroduced after 26 years). Thank you for a trip that surpassed all expectations – having Ainsley on board with us was a huge added bonus. Aug 27-Sept 2, 2012 Many thanks for opening our eyes to the Haida culture, art, history and wonders of their natural environment, and especially the kindly, mutli talented and ever humble Barrett. A wonderful holiday and an educational one. July 13-19, 2008 Aug 6-Aug 12, 2008 July 4-9, 2009 Aug 6-11, 2009 Aug 2-7, 2010 I’ve had one of the most enjoyble, pleasent and adventurous weeks of my life. Unique scenery, fishing, kayaking, Haida culture sites & history, I already miss it all...I’m all ready to do it again. Aug 8-13, 2010 Loved everything, hoping to come back next year to bring family and friends. Please keep these tours going...they are fantastic. Fabulous scenery, wonderful food, great people – all that one could ask for and more. July 3-9, 2011 Aug 8-14, 2011 Words cannot describe how amazing was this trip on the Island Bay. So many unique experiences, unbelievable scenery, wildlife, fauna & history. I am forever grateful for this opportunity to experinece what Gwaii Hanaas offers. Aug 20-27, 2011 What an incredible trip. You went above and beyond to make this the most special time I’ve ever had. |
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