I have had the fantastic opportunity of seeing whales swimming free out in the ocean.  I was 8 years old and Papa was taking us to Portugal by ocean liner that summer.  We had been sailing for days and then excitement happened.  We saw a whale off in the distance and it came closer and closer.  it sent up a plume of water.  I will never forget it as long as I live.  No land anywhere in sight and then that magnificent creature appears out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean!