Tag Archives: dolphins

Oscar winner supports whale conservation

The late Heath Ledger, who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for ‘The Dark Knight’, directed an anti-whaling music video, which has now been released, reports www.timesonline.co.uk.

Produced at the time that he was filming the Batman movie, Ledger directed the video in 2007.  It features the song ‘King Rat’ by the Modest Mouse band from the USA, and shows a ‘cigar-chomping blue whale captain out hunting for humans in the sea”, the website says.

Ledger supported the protection of whales and dolphins, and therefore wanted the video to have a shock factor, so that it could make an impact, and highlight what Japan is doing in killing whales.   It shows humans being harpooned, skinned, their meat processed and fed to seal pups.

The actor passed away before the video was completed.  The co-director and visual-effects company decided to complete the project in Ledger’s honour, and to donate the revenue from the iTunes video downloads to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in its first month.  Ledger acknowledged the role the Society plays in campaigning for an end to whaling, especially by the Japanese.

The music video can be seen at: http://blogs.thetimes.co.za/minor/2009/08/05/heath-ledger-his-anti-whaling-message

Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com

Plettenberg Bay hit by recession

Of the towns on the Garden Route, Plettenberg Bay appears to be worst hit, with many shops standing empty.   Business has been very slow and few tourists are visiting the beautiful seaside town, despite whale and dolphin sightings. 

Restaurants have been coming to the party, some having closed for longer over the winter break, and most offering exceptional special offers.   So, for example, Emily Moon is offering a two-course “winter warmer menu” for R 100, and 3-courses at R 120.   Nguni offers a “Bring back the “Good Old Times” (plus a little inflation and a day or 2 later!!) on Friday evening, and charges R 50 per head.   Specials have included steak, eat-as-much-pastsa-as-you-can, and sole.   Miguels offers two courses for R 85.

Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com