Did you know that some whales can eat up to 4 tonnes of krill (shrimp-like crustaceans) a day? Given that that is the weight of an elephant, that’s some munching. How about whale calves? Southern Right whales can guzzle up to 600 litres of mother’s milk a day.
Not surprising if you contemplate their hugeness. There are whales with hearts the size of a Mini Cooper and weighing around 900 kilograms. There’s something humbling when you think that there are whales with brains weighing over 9 kg. That’s more than six times heavier than an adult human brain. And working with half a brain? Humans may not be able to but whales certainly can. When they sleep, they rest close to the surface of the sea allowing one brain hemisphere to rest at a time. Oh, and they sleep with their eyes open.
Fascinating whale facts are just part of the fun at this year’s Two Oceans Hermanus Whale Festival that takes place from September 28 to October 1. Now in its 21st year and presented as South Africa’s only enviro-arts festival, the event aims to give the spotlight to what the organisers call “the creatures of the deep” alongside musicians and other performers during the spring vacation.
Hermanus bills itself as the best land-based destination for whale-watching worldwide and visitors arrive during the whale season by their thousands to observe them breeching, spouting and cavorting in Walker Bay. The principal sponsor is Two Oceans, a wine brand sold globally and renowned for great taste and great value pricing.
An endangered species marquee will provide educational but also very entertaining facts and displays on the marine Big Five, as well as the rhino. There will be a range of sporting activities from mountain bike racing to half-marathons and long-distance swims. This year, there will be ten venues involved in hosting the festival. The nexus of the event, however, will be the Two Oceans food and entertainment marquee.
Two Oceans recently extended an already strong line-up with the introduction of a range of vibrant new low-alcohol wines called Two Oceans Quay 5. Designed for living lightly, Quay 5 allows wine lovers to enjoy life whilst remaining in control of both alcohol and calorie intake. With just 5,5% alcohol, around half the calories of a regular wine, festival-goers will be able to enjoy the lively aromas and ample-bodied taste of the range of three refreshing blends at various popular venues in Hermanus, including Fusion, Quayside Cabin and Two Oceans Restaurant. Quay 5 will also be available for tasting at the official opening of the Whale Festival inside the main marquee.
