Redcliffe/Straddie Trip - Part 1

We went for a 5 day trip to Redcliffe and Straddie (North Stradbroke Island) 2 weeks ago. The highlight? Definitely the close encounter with the magnificent humpback whales! No lah, we didn't touch them or see them perform acrobatic acts like in the Sea World, but knowing that these giant gentle creatures are in their natural environment just metres away from you, it's an amazing feeling.

We arrived at Redcliffe Jetty to board the "Eye-Spy" - whale watching vessal at 8.30am. We had to wake up at 4am to catch the first train in order to save the $80 transport from Brisbane to Redcliffe. Haha...abit cheapo huh?

At Redcliffe's Settlement Cove

The Jetty

Here's a short clip on the whales. I took the first part of the video and Dear took the other half because I was trying not to pollute the whales' home by puking! I got sea-sick in the middle of the cruise and missed the buffet lunch! Argh...

But well, it's not easy to capture the whales!

1. You have to brave the bitter winter winds and wait VERY patiently...
2. Your hands and your eyes have to be very well co-ordinated..the moment your eyes spot them, the hands must shoot. This clip just shows some of the highlights. There were many pods (family) of whales following us that day. But we did not capture all the sightings. Must use the naked eye to see them too lah! And you will notice that the clip was very shaky...because my hands were shaking from the cold lah!
3. Don't go whale watching on Friday the 13th! Haha...the captain told us the whales were a little shy that day because there were probably predators around..so the whales were more cautious. Didn't wave to us like the captain promised. Bah!

Both of us felt that the $200 bucks was worth it though. I got an extra treat because I saw one of the whales did a big tail slap right infront of me. The clapping and cheering that you hear at the end of the clip - well, that was me, and a few tourists, because we were so amused by the act.