Wanted: One Whale Crier

Thanks to Ross Noble, British comedian and Radio 4 contributer, I have discovered the ultimate vacation: Hermanus, South Africa.

Each fall in Hermanus (mid-September), Hermanus celebrates Whale Week. For reasons unknown, Hermanus attracts large populations of Southern Right Whales. You can happily whale watch from the beach ... and they also have penguins! Whales are so important to Hermanus that they employ an offical "Whale Crier of Hermanus." Until quite recently, the Whale Crier was "Wilson" (the name he uses with tourists who can't pronounce his real name). But I read that he decided to retire. There, I respectfully submit my resume to the city of Hermanus to be considered for the position of Whale Crier.

Hermanus and its whales is just down the coast from Cape Town, where you can visit Table Mountain, a prime spot for spotting dassies, a small rodent-like creature. "Dassie" means "badger" in Dutch and Afrikan, although it resembles something more like a hamster than a badger (nor is it badger-related).

South Africa: home of whales and dassies (penguins, seals, and great white sharks). This is where I want to go. No doubt about it.