International Whale Shark Day 2024 is on Friday, August 30, 2024: Why do "pirates" and anti-whaling groups attack other boats?

Friday, August 30, 2024 is International Whale Shark Day 2024. Advanced Diving in the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador ... This international day was

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These "pirates" are nothing more than a bunch of sandal-wearing, creeping Jesus types, who walk around rolling doobies and worrying about whales. The seem to think that these big blubber-butted whales are something special. Whales have been put here to be harpooned, and utilized. They are stupid animals, and probably don't even feel the pain of a few harpoons.They do nobody any good cruising around and eating krill. The world was a better place when the whale boats could go out and do their job. A lot of people got rich in the whale business and some of them contributed some of the money for colleges, and toll roads. And now, a country like Japan, which has traditionally harpooned a large number of whales, cannot even do research to see how many whales they need to harpoon this year. I think the whaling companies should build some boats specifically designed to ram and sink these boatloads of eco-loonies. Sharks need food too.

Planning a trip to South Africa in October / November. Any ideas what to do, not to do, where to stay etc.?

October / November time in South Africa is generally a nice time to visit. There weather is starting to warm up, but is still not too hot. From your list, it looks like you want to stay in the Cape Region. I would recommend that you consider the following itinerary:

3 nights in Cape Town

Cape Town has many attractions, but the highlights of the city are:

• Table Mountain – enjoy a cable way ascent to the summit of the mountain (weather permitting).

• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens – set against the majestic Table Mountain, the gardens have a rich botanical diversity (over 5 000 species).

• Robben Island – infamous island where former president Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 27 years.

• Cape Peninsula – highlights of this full day excursion along the Peninsula’s beautiful coastline include a drive along the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive, a boat trip from Hout Bay to view the Cape Fur Seal Colony, a visit to Cape Point in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve (the Continent’s most south-western point), and the Penguin colony inhabiting Boulders Beach in Simons Town.

• The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront – a popular retail destination with both local and international visitors featuring a myriad of fine restaurants, pubs and retail outlets.

• The Two Oceans Aquarium – with more than 300 species of marine life, the aquarium demonstrates the rich bio-diversity in the oceans that surround the Cape.

• The famous Clifton beaches

2 night in Hermanus

•Whale Watching in Hermanus Bay

•Great White Shark Cage Diving in Gaansbaai (close to Hermanus)

2 nights in Knysna

Highlights of the area are:

• Oudtshoorn – visit the prehistoric Cango Caves, a working Ostrich Farm and (time permitting) the Cango Wildlife Ranch.

• Knysna – enjoy a half day excursion to the scenic Featherbed Nature Reserve, take an early morning ‘Ocean Safari’, visit the Knysna Elephant Park, sample the local oysters or play a round of golf at one of the fine local golf courses.

• Plettenberg Bay – visit ‘Monkeyland’ (a wonderful primate sanctuary), the adjacent ‘Birds of Eden’ sanctuary, the tranquil Elephant Sanctuary, take an an early morning ‘Ocean Safari’ or simply relax on one of the town’s golden beaches washed by the warm Indian Ocean.

2 nights on Safari in the Eastern Cape

The ‘standard’ programme at these lodges includes 2 daily game drives in an open Land Rover with specialized rangers and trackers – one in the early morning to view the game as it begins to stir, and a second in the late afternoon into the early evening (the perfect time to view the predators as they go on the ‘hunt’). In addition, guests may be invited to enjoy a bush walk after a sumptuous breakfast.

This works out to be 9 nights / 10 days. I am not sure if this is too much time away for you.

I have attached a link for a similar itinerary in the source box, it is a Garden Route tour, it just doesn’t have the 2 nights in Hermanus included.

If I was to go to Orlando for 2 nights with the family, how many days should I spend in Disney World?

WOW! You are really pushing it with 2 nights just for Disney, never mind the many other attractions that lie in Orlando.

Disney World has 4 theme parks and you would not even get to see everything in 4 days (a day for each park!)

Magic Kingdom has the fantasy of being in the classic disney cartoon movies.

EPCOT incorporates the future of our world and different countries of the world.

The Studios incorporates live shows and rides where you feel like you're actually in the movies or on the set.

Animal Kingdom makes you feel like you are in Africa and Asia along with the animals.

Other attractions in Orlando are:

Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure - 2 brilliant theme parks

Gatorlad - Get up close and personal with gators and many other tropical animals.

Discovery Cove - Swim with dolphins and feed string rays and tropical birds.

SeaWorld - Meet Shamu the most famous killer whale in the world. Feed dolphins, experince rides, watch many shows and meet tons of sea creatures.

Busch Gardens - Theme park

Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach - In with the disney world package - 2 water parks

Titanic The Experience - Go through a replica of the ship Titanic and feel the experience.

Orlando Science Centre - kids in particular can discover the world of science in fun and interesting surroundings

Wonderworks - The upside down house, contains dozens of interactive games and displays that are fun and educational for the whole family.

Ripleys Believe it or not - Ripley's Believe It Or Not is all about the weird, the unbelievable and the bizarre.

Cypress Gardens - Theme park

Kennedy Space Centre - 70 plus acres of space hardware, artifacts from four decades of space exploration, lots of excellent exhibits and some superb film and video presentations.

Wet n Wild - On International Drive, a great water park for the whole family.

Skyventure - Amusement park

Florida Mall - Huge shopping mall!

Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf - Minature Golf set in a pirate theme!

Aquatica - SeaWorld's new water park where you can swim with sharks without actually being near them!!!

Magical Midway - Amusement Park

Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show - Murder mystery dinner show.

Hope this helps and have a great holiday!