Bryde’s (pronounced “broo-dess”) whales live all year round in warmer waters near the equator. They usually feed alone and are known to make sudden changes in direction when feeding (which makes the difficult to track) but will approach and follow boats (making it somewhat easier).
We were honoured with the presence of two of these beautiful animals:
It took five hours to find them – the boats don’t use sonar as it interferes with the whales’ natural communication. Then one hour to watch, and 90 minutes back. One poor chap was seasick for the entire time – must have been the longest 7 ½ hours of his life.
We also saw flying fish – brilliant to watch as their hummingbird-like “wings” beat so fast they blurred:
Coming back into port, the crew stopped to speak to some fishermen who told them they’d seen four blue whales on their return from Galle. Well up the coast. They were rewarded with some supplies and it made me wonder how real those whales were – I got the impression the informers only got loot when they reported sightings, not intel that the whales aren’t at home. Whale-watchers might want to reconsider their strategy…
Last off the boat, the captain came over and chatted.. And, as we’re friends of Gayani’s, offered us a free trip tomorrow so we’d another chance to see blue whales. An offer too good to refuse.
Then back to Gayani’s for devilled chicken II and the most amazing chocolate and banana roti with vanilla ice cream:
And a power cut. Nobody flinched and all the candles came out. Welcome to Asia.
Not a bug, but well worth a mention – a tree frog, sat on the patio outside my room:
