We all have items on a bucket list. Whether they are marked down in a journal, organized on a colorful vision board, or stored in your brain, we all have at least one or two things we would love to do before we die. For me, these items include seeing the Pyramids of Egypt and becoming a certified diver.
Since twowildtides began, I’ve realized how much I take my home province and country for granted. I grew up seeing icebergs, building snow forts, and boating with my family. So when I recently had an opportunity to head out on the water with Ocean Quest Adventures, I was caught a little off guard to hear one of the other tourists say that she had traveled all the way from NYC to cross ‘seeing an iceberg’ off her bucket list. How incredible is that? It really put the whole experience in perspective for me.
After our morning on Ocean Quest’s Drink an Iceberg Tour, I have come to realize why seeing an iceberg would be a bucket list moment for people. And I truly believe that Ocean Quest can make your bucket list moment into an unforgettable experience.
It all started when we arrived at the marina in Conception Bay South (your tour will leave from here or Petty Harbour) and Johnny O was there to greet us. I think this guy is the best guide around! He is truly passionate about his career and proud of what he does— how can you not be when your job title is ‘professional adventurer’? Sign me up!
Johnny O and Chantelle, our kayaking guide, got us geared up in dry suits (super attractive) and boy am I glad they did. You will never get cold with this on! I recommend a warm, fleece or knit sweater and you should be just fine.
We boarded the RHIB (Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat), what many of us know as a Zodiac, and headed out into the bay. We immediately saw that there were two giant bergs out there waiting for us and we headed straight for them. The pros from Ocean Quest were able to bring us closer than I had ever been to any iceberg, which was absolutely phenomenal. You really don’t realize how many textures and different shades of blue each iceberg has until you get that close.
It wasn’t long until it was time to board the kayaks. I’ve kayaked before, but never in a tandem kayak and I have never gone from a rocking boat to a rocking kayak, so I won’t lie, I was nervous. Thankfully, Chantelle and Johnny held the kayak sturdy and made it very easy for all of us to safely climb into the kayaks. Nothing to it!
Once we actually started paddling toward the iceberg, the pure adrenaline started to kick in. I was absolutely blown away by the magnitude of these icebergs that had drifted years to end up on the coast of Newfoundland. I was speechless and breathless and in complete awe. I felt renewed. I felt accomplished. I felt empowered.
This photo is the property of Ocean Quest Adventures. It was awesome to have another photographer on board!
This photo is the property of Ocean Quest Adventures. It was awesome to have another photographer on board!
This is the beautiful group we shared our adventure with.
After we arrived safely back on land, one of the other guys who helped make this day awesome, Jared, approached us with a gift from Ocean Quest. It was a jar of pure iceberg ice for us to take home and enjoy in a drink. This was so thoughtful and so cute!
This photo is the property of Ocean Quest Adventures. It was awesome to have another photographer on board!
I think everybody, tourists and Newfoundlanders alike should have this experience. Add it to your bucket list. I added it to mine after I got home, just so I could cross it off. It is so worth it. Don’t take your surroundings for granted, get up close and personal with them, and you will see and learn things you never imagined.
We would like to send a giant thank-you to Ocean Quest Adventures and their wonderful staff (and Mother Nature!) for having us and for making our day great. We can’t wait for our next adventure with you.
Check Ocean Quest out on Facebook (@oceanquestadventures), Twitter and Instagram (@oceanquestnl) to keep up to date on their awesome tours. Visit their website to book your tour right now!
xoxo,
char
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