Gwaii Haanas Mothership Tours - Guest Comments

Thanks to all the kind and generous people that I’ve so liberally quoted. And thanks, of course, to all of my guests over the past few years. You were all wonderful shipmates and gave more than you got in terms of sharing your own knowledge and understandings of the mysterious workings of the world.

More and more I have come to realize that it's the people as much as the place that makes these trips so memorable. Perhaps because of the participatory nature of my trips and our dependency on each other in so many ways, the groups more often than not function like a small tribe voyaging back in time. Although I can't say that we travel close to the land in comparison to a self-propelled kayaking group, we do travel in relatively simple circumstances, which somehow seems to be appropriate to the place.

I have been travelling to the more remote corners of the Charlottes for quite a while now. People wonder how I seem to find everything fresh... new and ready for discovery. The answer certainly involves the wonder of the place itself but also the enthusiasm of my shipmates as I see things again for the first time through their eyes. Thanks to you all for making these trips so enjoyable and memorable for me as well.

From our guest log ...

"Even on the best of trips there are usually minor glitches, but not on this one. We were completely and totally pleased with the arrangements, the site visits and the vessel - not to mention the skills and capabilities of the skipper. We've been fortunate enough to visit every part of Canada - sea to sea - thank you for adding the Charlottes to our storehouse of beautiful memories."
Tom Beck, Calgary, Alberta

Rob, this voyage of discovery with you was probably the best six-consecutive day period of my life. I've had lots of great experiences before, but to sustain the magic day after day is almost beyond belief. The Islands will always hold a special place in my memories.
Dick Pitschka, San Juan Batista, California.

Crew to Captain Doom...thank you for a fantastic trip! You provided a humorous and capable gateway into the enchanted land of Haida Gwaii. So many layers of adventure and spectacular events. You are great as host, guide and dexterous problem manoeverer (from feasting to laying prawn traps to disembowelling the boat). You are the Doomslayer! My hat is off to you.
Dr. Lonnette Reib, Vancouver, B.C.

(Honest, I didn’t make these up. And I didn't pay anyone either. What can I say? - They liked the trips!)

"Thank you for taking us on a journey that will reverberate in our psyches and souls. Your love of this land, sea and sky shows itself deeply, and helped me to connect to it quickly"
Claire Vermillion, Nicasio, California

"Many thanks for straight wakes, enjoyable conversations, trips to rookeries and kind introductions to all of the Haida Gwaii Watchpeople. All of us had a thoroughly magnificent trip."
Mike Robinson, Calgary, Alberta

Thank you for a completely fantastic experience! It was a pleasure and an honor to be on this trip with you, amongst friends and family, on such a wonderful boat. Every minute of the day from magnificent sunrises to shooting stars with fiery tails after midnight, was spectacular. Thanks for sea-shepherding us with such grace and humour.
Dr. Betty Callum, Vancouver, B.C.

Our Captain Rrrrrr: From one chocolate lover to another, a thousand thanks wouldn't be enough to express my gratitude to you. Thank you for sharing your love of the Charlottes. I know everyone has said it before but this is truly a trip of a lifetime that I will never forget.
Vee Carr, Seattle, Washington

Thanks for a great week! Can't imagine experiencing the Charlottes without your expertise. You truly gave us long days and showed us some of the best! Loved the low tide paddles, the forest walks, the prawns, crabbing and halibut. I'll be back for the big one!
Sandy Braun, Seattle, Washington

A week of wonder, of exploration, of delight and surprises, of challenges and new experiences! And all under the guidance of "my Captain, my Captain". Left and right brains fully stimulated. Many thanks Rob.
Chris and Suzanne Finch, Mission, B.C.

Thanks for taking us on the eleventh hour and being such a good guide in this timeless place. It feels like we've been looking forward to experiencing the Charlottes forever and finally realized the dream. The first four lines of the poem alluded to above are:
                    Oh Captain, my Captain
                    Our fateful trip is done
                    The ship has weathered every rack
                    The prize we sought is won...
If the prize was adventure, history, poetry, myth... it was all here!
         Jeanne and John Reeder, Edmonds, Washington

"Karel, Thanks for being such an entertaining, patient and knowledgeable guide and Captain. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. "Awesome" seems to cover it best.”
Diane and Bruce Meek

"Karel, Thanks so much for enabling us to see so much. Your knowledge and love of the land, sea, people and history was a treasure. Thanks for your easy going nature and your smile. We know we'll be back again."
Dennis and Joan Ducklow

"Karel, This trip covered it all - sometimes all in one day! What more could we ask for... Rob, we missed you, but Karel did an amazing job! Thank you both."
Hilary Rousseau

A trip filled with truly wonderful experiences catching crabs, halibut, prawns, great meals, laughs, bonding with truly great old friends, wildlife viewing, native history. Rob is a great Captain - knowledgeable, easy going and a friend. Thanks for everything.
Ray McLean, Harrison Hot Springs, B.C.

A wonderful week where all the cares of the world were suppressed by the will to survive. Wonderful crew! Wonderful guests! And a great Captain!
Pat Levalle, Toronto, Ontario

Thanks for getting us through hell and high waters - to all the spots we so wanted to see! Glad to know that the essence of Haida Gwaii endures...
Karen King, Toronto, Ontario

Many thanks for a nautical adventure we'll long remember. You are a fine skipper, not just for your navigational prowess, but your ability to inspire this most motley crew. Remember us fondly.
Helen Burstyn, Toronto, Ontario

This has been the best. Good times, good food and friends. We had a wonderful time!! We enjoyed the Island Bay and all the stops in this timeless place.
Margaret and Roland Nelson, Seattle, Washington

Thanks for a memorable voyage! What a unique mixture of B.C.'s natural and cultural heritage.
Stephane Hoffman, Bellevue, Washington

This trip exceeded all my expectations of the Queen Charlotte Islands. You have a great knowledge of the area. Thanks for choosing such wonderful places for us to kayak and camp.
Rebecca Rojack, Iowa

Thank you Rob for your patience, expertise and enthusiasm. You really did make it a wonderful experience.
Dr. Walton Langford, Saltspring Island, B.C.

The six years I waited to come on this trip were worth it! A dream come true (and I got to see a bear from a kayak)! It does not get any better than this.
Marianne Semon, Switzerland

Thank you Rob for this adventure. I never imagined I could see so many marvelous places and animals during these six days. I can only say: an unforgettable experience. "Je m'en souviendrai tres longtemps, c'etait phantastique".
Irene Froelich, Switzerland

Thank you for this extraordinary experience. It was wonderful to spend time with a group of incredible people, exploring this spectacular environment. Thank you for your patience, dedication and above all, your passion for this land and it's people. Your presence provided a gateway for us to explore the past and present of a remarkable place and a remarkable culture.
Kristi Allik, Kingston, Ontario

Thanks for a wonderful tour of "God's Country"' I totally enjoyed myself thanks to your great operation. I appreciate a safe trip.
Kim Goodman, Seattle, Washington

Loved being on this boat surrounded by water and the soft shapes of distant mist covered hills. Your library was a source of wonder. I wish you smooth sailing.
Charlotte, El Rito, New Mexico

Thank you, Rob, for a wonderful holiday! Your many talents made the experience incredible! Your skills as Captain are top notch in every way.
Barry and Dawn Loucks, Victoria, B.C.

Rob, you have been the most gentle of guides. Every detail of the trip, as every detail of the Tomram is well thought out and executed. Thank you for your flexibility, your generous spirit and your quiet teaching. I have fallen in love with the Misty Isles and can only hope to return.
Marcia Harter, Half Moon Bay, California

Thanks for a great and gentle adventure. Haida Gwaii caught my imagination twenty years ago. Being here on Tomram with you and our friends was a dream come true. Every day was fantastic. There were "no worries" with your expert planning and guidance. I finish our trip renewed and refreshed. I look forward to our return and keeping in touch.
John Harter, Half Moon Bay, California

This trip was the best of introductions to Haida Gwaii that I can imagine. Everything about the islands is spectacular, but having a knowledgeable and congenial guide gave me a depth of experience I would not otherwise have had. Thank you for a truly memorable trip. I look forward to returning.
Kris Pitschka, San Juan Batista, California.

I've been looking forward to a kayak trip to the Queen Charlottes for the last ten years. I had extremely high expectations that were met or exceeded every day. Thank you so much for all the energy, time and effort you put in to make these trips possible.
Jane Batcheller, St. Paul, Minnesota

Every day was a new adventure on the Tomram! Thank you for showing us this incredible area. We had many once-in-a-lifetime experiences and lots of fun. We appreciate your hospitality.
Joan Skalabrin, Port Orchard, Washington

It takes a special kind of Skipper to entice a non-swimmer into a kayak. That pretty much sums up the trip - exciting, broaching new experiences, overseen by the steady, assured hand of a seasoned pro. This trip was not merely unforgettable. It was a trip that really becomes a part of you. Many, many thanks.
Peter and Diane, Toronto, Ont.

Wow, six days over already! What an awesome trip! Great food, fishing, walking, kayaking, weather and the best skipper. (thanks Shannon...)
Shannon and Greg Bellamey, Coquitlam, B.C.

Thanks so much for sharing this uniquely beautiful part of the world with us! For such a short time we'll have enough memories to last for years. Everything was just perfect.
Katie and Steve Schmidt, New Mexico

Thank you for that splendid trip through South Moresby. It exceeded our expectations! Traveling on the Island Bay was great fun and the availability of kayaks for excursions off the boat enhanced our experience of the scenery and wildlife immeasurably. You were a wonderful host and tour guide. We’ll be back!
Bob Isbister and Saraugh Wright, Victoria, BC

A trip of a lifetime. Great scenery, great adventure. Many many Howas (thanks) to our Captain and guide Rob who made us all feel so special. Your skiff Commander,
Andy Williams, Guelph, Ontario

There’s no way we could record on film the memories we’ve stowed away on this trip. We were looking forward to the trip of a lifetime and in no way have we been disappointed. Your love of the environment, wealth of knowledge and your expertise in handling your craft made this one fun-filled week we’ll always treasure. And as Bri would add...."It doesn’t get any better than this!!"
Susie Wilson, Guelph, Ontario

‘Twas magical, enjoyable and unforgettable - thanks to Rob’s great knowledge of these Islands.
John Cunningham, Toronto, Ontario

A totally wonderful and beautiful trip - a great adventure. I could handle several more weeks of the same. Thanks for the memories.
Judith King, Port Elgin, Ontario

Charlottes 101 has been a fantastic experience. Thanks Rob for arranging the fine weather, minke whales, super kayaking with splendid wildlife viewing as well as taking care of all the logistics, sea negotiations and tugboat care. I’ve felt very much at home aboard your boat and that’s a great credit to your temperament and attitude. You get A’s in all areas and I’d like to repeat the experience.
Charles Kahn, Saltspring Island, B.C.

Thank you for showing us the Charlottes in such fine fashion. We enjoyed the "funkiness" of the Tomram and learned a great deal of your wealth of natural and historical knowledge of the area - you obviously love what you do. As for the Charlottes - what a place! It’s reassuring to know that places like this still exist. Thank you for a wonderful experience and best of luck in the future!
Brad Ray, Surrey, B.C.

This trip has truly blown me away and has had a big impact on me in many ways - I hope we’ll do this again in future.
Cindy Ray, Surrey, B.C.

Thanks for showing us that there is peace and beauty in this hectic world. Your knowledge of the area, the people and the history made this a rich experience.
Lynn and Brian Jackson, Burnaby, B.C.

The end has come too fast! A perfect trip, good company, good food, magnificent environment. Hope all your guests enjoyed the trip as much as we have. Thanks,
Bob and Karen Witzel, West Vancouver, B.C.

Good company, wonderful things to see and experience and a captain with a sense of humour! I really enjoyed the birds, the trees, the moss!! The Haida villages are awe inspiring and unforgettable. Very many thanks Rob for your generosity and giving of local knowledge. This trip will be a very happy memory.
Dorothy Woodhouse, Vancouver, B.C.

Is there anything left to say? These six days have been so enjoyable, fun including the rain. Kayaking was a new experience, why did I wait so long to try it. Thank you so much for providing the opportunity to see and do all these new things and for sharing your knowledge of these fantastic Islands.
Margaret Lamb, Sudbury, Ont.

"We've been raving about the Charlottes too much… There really is no need to go to Fiji or Hawaii with all of this in our back yard. Need I say more…we were impressed!"
Pat and Ed Rowlands, White Rock, British Columbia

"You've made this this wilderness alive with your intimate knowledge. Thank you for your generosity and integrity in sharing it."
Susy Stewart, Mill Valley, California