Journal of the twentyseventh day on board

29th May, 1999

There are dolphins and there are dolphins. The 'tursiope' (Tursiops truncatus) is a large dolphin that can reach over 3 metres in length and weigh as much as 4 people. In contrast the 'stenella' (Stenella coeruleoalba) is a lot smaller: normally no bigger than 2 metres and weighs the same as a plump adult.

The first is the type of dolphin you see in aquariums, a sweet old mutt and easily domesticated. The 'stenella', however, is a dolphin, how can you say, more wild, a type of squirral of the sea who swims fast, skimming under the bow of ships jumping and performing acrobatic pirouettes.

It's very difficult to approach one underwater because it is so timid in front of man. But I managed it. After years of trying without success, this time it happened. I swam with them for twenty minutes.
We wern't there all the time, nevertheless, it was a type of hide-and-seek, but I had a couple of memorable face to faces, in fact WE had.
Because also for them it must not have been usual to meet a bizarre fish like me; longer than they are (with fins), with only one huge eye (the mask) and who struggles to keep up with them.

Today as well, no sharks. Long live the sea!

All this in front of Capo Spartivento, the southern point of Calabria.