I am a long distance sea kayaker. I have kayaked amongst orca pods, and have laid my hand upon the head of an injured harbour porpoise (hit by a boat I think), and I am still haunted by what I saw when I looked into its eye as it struggled to keep its blowhole above water.
I have seen many such things that will not soon leave my memory. My current job keeps me from doing this as much as I would like, so I am saving 80% of my income so I can quit my job and paddle the waters of the Salish Sea whenever I wish.