Hermanus

Data collection was going exceptionally well all throughout September so that I was able to go on vacation for a few days and even give my team a holiday in order to be more relaxed myself. I went to Hermanus, the only city in the world which employs its own whale crier. Now, in case you are wondering why Hermanus needs a whale crier; obviously it is to announce the sighting of whales to the general public. Hermanus sports some of the best land-based whale watching in the world. The Southern Right Whale (right whale to kill for blubber and gentleness) seeks the closeness of the shore to calf and mate from June to November as predators like the Great White Shark are unlikely to approach the shores and eat the 3m newborn whales. While the weather was a bit rough with strong winds which even blew a tourist off one of the cliffs, Hermanus itself and the whales did not disappoint. It was amazing to watch them playing just off the shore while sitting in the sun on one of the cliffs. I had not realized how much I missed village/city life and being able to grab a red latte and go to a restaurant was absolutely thrilling. 

I also went on a whale watching cruise on the Atlantic which was very rough on the day I went out causing seasickness in all passengers on the boat. Even I had to feed the fish and promptly did so as a whale was coming up to check out the boat for a closer look thus vomiting right on its head. 

I also participated in a very amazing sea kayaking tour just off the coast where we were able to feel the condensed breath of the whales and watch seals playing with their catch. 

On my way back to Cape Town Airport I stopped by one of the land-based Jackass penguin colonies in Betty's Bay. The horrible smell of these animals repulsed me but their charming waddling was utterly endearing.