Mark Carwardine, expert in whales and wildlife, visited Húsavík.
Mark Carwardine, a zoologist, conservationist and famous writer and TV/ radio presenter, has been a friend of the North Sailing family for years. Mark joined us last weekend again for a couple of days. He is currently working on a project with Blue Whales, and what better place in the world is there than Skjálfandi Bay in Húsavík?
We got a chance to chat with Mark, after he shared with the North Sailing team his latest pictures, taken around Húsavík, from our boats and from the air. Birna, our Sales and Marketing Manager, tried to find out what triggers Mark to visit us again.
Birna: „Mark, we are very happy to have you here again…“
Mark: „Thank you, I love to be back. North Sailing is a very special whale watching operator to me, and I particularly like coming back to you and the Skjálfandi Bay. This place is outstanding, with the variety of whale species that you cannot encounter anywhere else in the world. There are very few places where you can see the blue whales, and Húsavík is one of them. But what makes your home so special is the scenery. You are out there whale watching in the bay, but in addition you can enjoy the beautiful mountains on the other side of the bay. Then there are all those birds, the fulmars, puffins, arctic terms and so on. Plus, you have 24 hours of daylight. All those different elements are adding to the uniqueness of this area.“
Birna: „So that is why you like coming back to us?“
Mark: „For taking wildlife pictures the light is of course essential. Your light up here in North-Iceland is just gorgeous. It is a wonderful place for whale watching. But it is not only the whales and the lights, I also like to come back to the people of North Sailing. I have become friends with Heimir and his family and have been working repeatedly with some of your guides and captains and what amazes me is the professionalism and passion of your team. Those people are also a reason to come back here. I get a chance to work with experts, who manage to create a very special atmosphere. You can feel, that you all love your job. It is a very international team with very different backgrounds and qualification, but every single person working here has a passion for whales, the wildlife and the protection of it. If find your guides and captains to be very knowledgeable, with a high educational level.”
Birna: “You have worked in many places around the world, with many different whale watching companies, and we are glad to get such positive feedback and praise from you…”
Mark: “I have worked in many places around the world, but here I find the local expertise in the captains, who never go head on to the whales, but side on. So all passengers get a very good chance to see the whales. And what I also very much like about North Sailing are the boats. You are using those original, traditional boats, and you have beautifully renovated them. I would say this is also an added benefit for your customers. And, your operations are very professional. You are always on time, and you also go out with only a few passengers booked on a tour. So, business does not come first with North Sailing. And you run your business in a responsible way. You do not disturb the whales, don’t harass them, which is very important. And I noticed that you are also leading in environmental issues.”
Birna: “Thank you Mark, it means a lot to us to receive such positive feedback from an expert like you.
Mark: “Thank you. And see you again soon.”
Ute Zimmer, North Sailing team
