"cacheandleave" wrote in message
news:5f45fd61-2b62-43f7-800d-0648f2842bf2@z34g2000vbl.googlegroups.com...
On Jun 22, 1:49 am, "Graham Harrison"
wrote:
> "cacheandleave" wrote in message
>
> news:1c784e41-16b1-476d-98b8-78c8d0d2b0ee@y38g2000vbl.googlegroups.com...
>
> > Looking to plan a Hawaii trip this winter.
> > Specifically looking to hear experiences on choosing a whale watching
> > tour (humpback only); when, where (which island), what company. etc
> > Have seen the whales in Gustavus, AK in the summer.
>
> > Also, any other things I don't know enough to ask about.
>
> > TIA
>
> Don't go to Hawaii! Two alternatives - Kaikoura in New Zealand or the
> Peninsula Valdes in Argentina.
Why?
Peninsular Valdes is home to not only the whales but penguins, armadillos,
sea lions, seals, a form of ostrich and a rabbit like creature I forget the
name of (oh and sheep coming out of your ears). Argentina is a fascinating
country; when we went as well as Valdes we went to Salta in the Andes and
the Iguassu Falls (forget Niagara).
New Zealand has some beautiful scenery - fly to Christchurch, take the train
across the island (through the Southern Alps) to Greymouth then go down the
west coast of South Island and you pass two glaciers then get into Fjord
country (although they give them names like Doubtful *Sound* rather than
Doubtful Fjord). Go to the very south and across to Stewart Island and
then on to Ulva Island which has a concentration of native birds in
particular in native forest. Then come up the east coast through the
Catlins and if you're lucky you'll find Yellow Eyed Penguins. The Otago
Peninsular outside Dunedin has an Albatross colony and more Penguins. On
up the coast Oamaru has a Little Blue Penguin colony. Kaikoura itself is
on the east coast north of Christchurch.
If you're an experienced traveller, used to looking after yourself and
prepared to travel distance by air as well as car go to Argentina. If you
want a more relaxed trip New Zealand.
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