Whale Watching ... 
Unable to dive to such depths, the calves 
are periodically left at the surface to play. 
Each calf, being at least twenty feet in length, 
enjoys the comfort of fearing nothing in the 
entire ocean except the Orca and, of course, 
the heartless whaler, who would harpoon 
them in an effort to lure the other whales to 
the slaughter. 
Attracted to the drifting dive boat, both 
calves spent thirty minutes swimming around 
and upside down under the boat, competing 
to get closer to us. Unlike the Dolphins that 
beam their sonar from their melon fore¬ 
heads, the Sperm whales do so from the 
chest thus the need to swim sideways or 
upside down when investigating the boat or 
snorkellers. Extreme care is customary pro¬ 
cedure and any interaction must be initiated 
by the whales. 
On hearing the returning pod, the calves 
quickly shifted attention, swimming to greet 
the first arrival. One by one they break the 
surface until ten individual spouts were 
counted forming a Raft. 
Aware of their curious behaviour, we 
gently eased into the water with only a mask 
and snorkel, holding onto the lines floating at 
the stern of my 41 foot dive boat. Floating at 
the surface this true definition of blue was 
only overwhelmed by the sonar clicks of the 
approaching pod of whales. Although totally 
capable of developing a complete sonar 
image, the curious whales wanted a much 
closer look at us. 
The only whale watching and snorkelling 
tours have been conducted from the Anchor¬ 
age Dive Center, by Fitzroy Armour (PADI 
Dive Instructor, Secretary of the Dominica 
Conservation Association and underwater 
photographer) a native of Dominica and his 
crew. The tours are not only educational and 
fun, but also give participants the opportu¬ 
nity to assist in data collection and fund 
raising for the Association. 
& 
o 
D 
O 
H 
jW 3*aU, 0teIicMe, 
y^iwce, J/wic ia One OBanfc. 
for the purchase, construction or 
extension of houses you need... 
National Mortgage Finance Company of Dominica Limited 
A wholly owned subsidiary of: 
National Commercial Bank of Dominica 
Branches at: Roseau Tel: 809-44-84401/2/3 
Portsmouth Tel: 809-44-55430/1 
Fax: 809-448-3982 Telex 8620 NACDEV DO 
DOMINICA 
20 
1MATION • USEFUL INFORMATION * USEFUL INFC 
AMERICAN EXPRESS 
The local representative is Whitchurch 
Travel, Old Street, Roseau. 82181 
BANKING HOURS 
Monday to Thursday 8am - 3 pm, 
Friday 8pm - 5pm. 
BANKS 
Aid Bank 
(Agricultural Industrial & Development) 
64 Flillsborough St., Roseau. 82853 
Bank of Nova Scotia 
MASTERCARD, VISA 
28 Hillsborough St., Roseau. 85800/2 
Banque Fran^aise Commerciale 
Queen Mary St., Roseau. 84040 
Barclays Bank pic 
DISCOVER, MASTERCARD, VISA 
Old St., Roseau. 
82571/5 
Branch: Portsmouth 
55271 
National Commercial Bank 
of Dominica 
64 Hillsborough St., Roseau. 
84401/5 
Branch: Portsmouth 
55430/1 
Royal Bank of Canada 
MASTERCARD, VISA 
Bay Front, Roseau. 
82771 
BUSINESS HOURS 
Monday to Friday 8am - 1pm, 
2pm - 4pm 
TO. Box 166, Ros< 
el: (809) 448 40 
Telex 
(VI Banque Francaise Commerciale 
groups indosuez Antilles-Guyane 
.« 
w . r ^ 1 
“ "'I 
We Take This Opportunity Of 
a f ?? : 
T :V. ■ -.. /. 
Welcoming You To Dominica. 
- 
f ull ranqe of Banking Services including 
mUSSM NMNNi 
c. 
■ 
Foreign Exchange Transactions, 
ional Money Transfers, Letters of Credit etc. 
i gSl WmmW* " 1 
_ 
smim4 P S ; 
...'. 5 
: 
more enjoyable - 
our Banking 
Street 
monwealth of Domini 
• Fax: (809) 448 53 
AF 
21 
