Custom Search

Whale Watching

by Vimala Ramu
(Bangalore, India)

During our stay of total 10 months to Maui, Hawaii, distributed over 3 visits, we never did any of the flashy touristy stuff like surfing, snorkeling, para gliding etc being senior citizens. Instead, our activities were more like those of the local residents_ morning walks, long drives, shopping in Malls, visiting the beaches and parks with our little grandchildren, breakfasting out on Sunday mornings, attending parties etc.


But when my sister-in-law came there for a 10 day visit with her husband and daughter, they were plumb into all the tourist activities. One of the items on the agenda was a visit to a coconut farm. Though all the Hawaii picture postcards display lot of coconut trees, the ones outside the farms are not allowed to fruit. The coconuts are allowed to ripen only in the farms and one such farm had this demonstration of peeling and breaking the coconut for the wide eyed tourists. Of course, I was the gainer in the bargain in that, that day we had the tasty South Indian Iyengar peas Kolumbu with lot of coconut.

I never did accompany my guests on any of their activities. By and large, I preferred to stay home and play a good host. But when they announced that they were going on a Whale watching cruise, I could not resist the temptation. Just imagine going far into the sea on a cruise to see those mammoth animals floating lightly on the water. To be honest, before going to Hawaii, I had no idea about the difference in size between a shark and a whale as the pictures showed them to be similar looking. Even then, I had not imagined a whale to be bigger than a buffalo.

These Humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of Hawaii from the cold waters of Alaska for breeding in the winter months, not in big groups but more like in batches. They are visible from the Lahaina coast at such close quarters as 100 yards! Just imagine going for shopping on Lahaina main road on the coast and encountering these whales basking so close to the shore!!!

We bought the tickets costing $25 each from the Pacific Whale Foundation which runs these cruises and gives a certificate at the end of it to each one to whoever undertook the cruise. On the boat we preferred to be on the upper open deck than sit near the windows inside the cabin.

As we entered the deep waters, my first surprise was the colour of the water. The sea which looks a very pleasant transparent blue from Maui, was inky blue now, murky and menacing. After cruising for some time the guideā€™s voice alerted us and we saw a HUGE whale in the distance. The whole passenger crowd rushed to one side of the deck to watch the mammoth creature.

After that every one kept their eyes peeled for the whales and reported it to the guide whenever they spotted one. But, the knowledgeable guide clarified that though they all looked alike, they had their distinctive features to distinguish one from the other and all that we saw were different sightings of the same whale!

Thanking ourselves for having sighted at least one, we returned to the shore, disembarked and returned home. Later we came to know that the foundation would have gifted a free cruise if we had failed to spot one!

Comments for Whale Watching

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Nov 08, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Thanks
by: vimala ramu

Nice to hear from you Eva. Thanks.

Nov 08, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Whale Watching
by: Eva Bell

Hi Vimala! Just read 'Whale Watching.'
As usual, interesting and entertaining.

Nov 07, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Hi
by: vimala ramu

Hi, if not you, wonder who it could be.Anyway, good wishes are always welcome. Glad you enjoyed it, Sneha.

Nov 07, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
HELLO !! :)
by: Sneha

Uh oh, Vimala ... that wasn't me, I never post anonymous comments ... lol. Well, an intriguing piece, this, that took me to realms of a journey with you.

Nov 05, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Thanx
by: vimala ramu

Thank you, Pushpa for visiting.

Nov 04, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Whale Watching
by: PUSHPA Raghuram

I am sure you would have had a wonderful time going for Whale Watching. Good you did not miss the opportunity. I like your frank and open narration. Keep narrating us further about your experiences.

Nov 04, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
whale
by: vimala ramu

I don't put anything beyond America with its capability to put trained whales and mechanical whales in Pacific!!!Thanks Kumuda for visiting.

Nov 03, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
not all whales!
by: Kumuda

I enjoyed reading it Vimala. I wish there were some visuls. I am sure the knowledgeble guide would have seen to it that you( Ignorant tourists) spotted a whale allright to save company a free cruise to the client!

Nov 03, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
whale watching
by: vimala ramu

Yes,Pankaja and anonymous(Sneha?). It is a unique experience. Probably the westerners who sees our elephant feel the same.

Nov 03, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Good!
by: nuggehallipankaja

Vimala, your piece is very entertaining (as usual),and informative. Each of your writing is different ,making the reader knowledgeable about varied aspects of life,places,cultures. I am really glad that God gave you all these exposures,(Though I envy you) for he has given it to the right person who has invested it well! And so many potentials,my God! May all flow forth gladdening many a heart!

Nov 03, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Interesting
by: Anonymous

Watching whale must be an experience to cherish and I am sure you will keep it in your memory throughout your life. Fortunate one you, indeed !

------
Please leave your name while commenting, at least at the end.
--By Admin

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Perspective.