the team   
 

… To conclude this introduction I cannot prevent myself from saying what I think today about "whaling", here and there. Time has weakened the impulsive aggressiveness of my adventurer mind and now the sensitivity dominates my analysis concerning my past as a whaler. It is my right and my duty to analyse it: in view of the illegal persecution still carried out on these animals, regardless of well known ecological problems, I join forces with the others with my cry as a man of the sea :

- Stop with that! The echo of that cry is barely a reflex of humanity.

Nuno Alvares, in "Memórias de Um Baleeiro" (a whaler's memories) - 1985 


Serge Viallelle, cofounder of the Espaço Talassa, this former "old salt" who put in at the Azores, has fallen in love, in no particular order with the islands, with a girl from Azores (Alexandra), with dolphins and whales. In 1987, helped by João Vigia, Serge founded the first Observation Base of Cetaceans from Azores in Lajes do Pico.

Serge is Portuguese silver medal '2010 of merit for tourism.

Alexandra Teles, as a cofounder of the Espaço Talassa and Serge's partner, she experienced the first (difficult) miles of the Espaço Talassa in 1989. Architect by profession she designed our base in Lajes and now she runs with her good mood as well as with her sense of aestheticism the OBCA complex, where it is pleasant to be after getting back from the sea.
Marta Melo, who is the granddaughter of a whaler, and a native of Lajes do Pico answers the telephone and will help you in the organization of your call in the Azores. She has a passion for her island and by the way, will be able to give you nice little spots, such as a creek snuggled up in the bottom of a volcano or a path through the high mountain pastures...

João Gonçalves "vigia" was a whaler for 36 years and moved over into tourism … as he said! João has been getting a lot of patience since 1992, to teach "the young environmentalists" the art of knowing how to approach an animal, to understand its behaviour and to respect it. João set sail for an endless journey in December 2005 but wherever he may be, he keeps guiding our adventures.

Marcello : Eco-Vigia, look-out of the new generation, he combines effectiveness and tradition (his father has been look-out for Espaço Talassa some years ago) and over all a new glance on Eco-Tourism activity, with respect for the cetaceans he 'gives' us to observe and overall an open mind at the search of new species to investigate: birds, turtles, sharks...

Herminia, the cook, Since 2006 chef in our 'Whale'come ao Pico'. Herminia has a preference for local products, especially from Piedade, her village in the east of the island. Simple, local recipes are given a personal touch, are rendered much lighter. Good mood, sweetness, smile, simplicity : the best ingredients as such.
Do not hesitate to ask her for our salads or for our vegetarian dishes...
João Quaresma comes from a family of shipowners called " Picaroto " and the stories of sailors used to punctuate the long wait for the " lancha " on the warf of Madalena. This photographer who is also campaigning for the protection and study of Sado dolphins, has been also moving to Lajes in spring since Espaço Talassa started. At sea, he is the ideal skipper for all those who have a passion for amateur of professional photographs.

Pedro Madruga, skipper : son of a professional fisherman of São João, located on the south coast of Pico and a "piercing" lover, Pedro joined our team in 2003. As he’s very familiar with the Azores sea, it didn’t take him long to adapt his own natural sensibility and know-how to approach large whales as gently as possible, those mammals he got used to meet when he was on board his father’s trawler.

Eunice Freitas: In the Hotel "Whale' come ao Pico", Eunice is your housekeeper. Do not hesitate asking her about the secret places, mainly about  "Pontas Negras", in the southern coast of the island, where she lives.
At breakfast, Eunice will offer local products, whenever possible, such as: honey, cheese, banana, corn bread, araçá jam ...  a smile and efficiency.

Marianne Odendahl Guide cetologist, Marianne has knocked about the world… Cetaceans have only little secrets for her. Polyglot, she will share with rigour her passion for the beauty of the Azorean sea in German, English, French and Portuguese. On board or on land, and beyond whales, she will be there to speak about tortoises, sharks, birds… in short, of the biodiversity.

César Medeiros, as like so many other 'Picarotos' has two professions : fisherman in the winter, skipper with 'Espaço Talassa' from June to October, since 2010. He is our specialist for 'Swimming with Dolphins'. Patience, experience and a certain 'know how' is the essential cocktail that allows him to take you to an encounter with animals in their realm, in security and with the utmost respect. Jean Charles Martin Hermans, our Dutch team member, left his flippers here in Lajes since 15 years, now. First as an enthusiastic client he imposed himself rapidly as a specialist to guide oversea and sometimes to reassure people who desire to share the closeness with the dolphins. The ideal appendage to César...the orchestration of this duet will allow you a successful 'Dance with Dolphins'.
Lisa da Silva and Stephanie Bettencourt, our Canadian girls, have taken over the base 'Espaço Talassa' since a couple of years. They will help you to organize your visit on Pico (walks, excursions, activities...).You will cross with them early in the morning before the briefing and our trips to the ocean; they are always around, with a smile, professionalism and ready to help.