Swimming With Whales and Other Stuff
10 August 2018 | 18 41.34'S:174 01.8'W, Tonga, South Pacific Ocean
Larry Green
We came back to Tonga to swim with the whales, and Wednesday we did exactly that. There is no way to successfully describe being in the water next to these gentle behemoths. If you have not done it, add it to your list. For anyone who follows Charlene's Facebook page, you have probably seen the video she posted of the baby whale. Like all kids this one wanted to play, and it did, until it's moma decided it was time to go. I did not see it, but I understand the moma whale was vertical in the water, flippers spread wide, kinda looking for a hug. The calf swam beneath her came up face to face flippers wide apart and obliged the moma whale with a hug. Then they took off at the speed of sound, in the blink of an eye they were out of sight. These were not the only whales we saw or swam with. Earlier there were two males attempting to garner the attention of a female, who apparently wanted no part of either one. The show was spectacular, both males swimming and fully breaching the surface, while the female went off in a different direction. The photo at the top of this post wass taken by Nat Van Halle, a professional photographer who was on the boat with us. Some may be thinking well that explains what you did one day in Tonga, what about the rest of the time. Perhaps a breif synopsis is in order. For a good three weeks I was back in the USA, seeing doctors and family, including all 5 kids and all 6 grandkids, plus my sister. I must admit I would have preferred to spend more time with some close friends than with doctors, but that was not to be. I do not have any really serious health problems, and my doctors are doing their utmost to keep it that way. Two medical appointments turned into 4 or 5 "just to be sure". I guess thatr is OK, living away from any medical care at times, and good medical care most of the time one should be diligent. We also participated in the local Friday night harbor race, we did not finish in the money, but it was fun. Also we have been to several anchorages around this group of islands, all idillic Pacific islands with sandy beaches, palm trees and few if any inhabitants. One night we went to a Tongan Feast. Complete with the whole Pig, crisply cooked and smiling, as the centerpeice of the table. Before dinner we were treated totwo little girls singing native songs and after dinner to a fire dance, a traditional warrior sort of dance (not with the little girls) involving twirling, flaming spears and such. Simon, who crewed on the trrip to New Zealand last November arrived in his own boat with his lady and we enjoyed their company on a sort of regular basis. So tomorrow morning, Saturday in this part of the world we are leaving Tonga, bound for Fiji. It is about a 600 NM sail from here and we are expecting light weather, which means a slow trip. I still expect we will be there by Thursday where we have a berth waiting (breifly)at Port Denarau Marina. From what I have seen and heard it will be much like being transported to a different world, complete with real shops and good restaurants and boat parts, always need boat parts.....More later