31 July 2010

We are in Tonga and the humpbacks are here!!

 

 

We still have some spaces left on a few of our tours. Especially Darren's Photgraphy tour 22 Sept - dont miss this opportunity to learn from Canon's 2010 Wildlife Photographer of the Year in Australia! See Darrens award winning photos below. . . . or on his website at www.darrenjew.com

Check out his tour info at http://www.whaleswim.com/tonga/photo_tours.html

For our 2010 Tour schedule with spaces and Last Minute Specials
Go to http://www.whaleswim.com/tonga/tours_schedule2010.html

2 July 2010

Introducing our WhaleSwim Staff for 2010 season in Vava'u Tonga

We look forward to sharing the amazing WhaleSwim experience with you!

Local exp-pat Kelly Evans, will be our WhaleSwim Guide for the season. Kelly has lived in Vava'u for 4 years with her family - she is orginally from Zimbabwe.

Darren Jew is our expert photographer - he has just taken out the 2010 Canon Wildlife Photographer of the year in Australia - for the 4 years in a row. . . . his skill is unique, I highly recommend that you join his Photography tour (22 Sep - 2 Oct) - you will definitely learn the finer points of wildlife photography. Her a fun person too!

Helen, Matt, Carmen and Amy are our volunteer staff they take time off (usually their annual leave) from there' real' jobs to be part of our Team - they are all whale lovers and are totally committed to making your time with us the best experience ever! Their enthusiasm and love for the whales is infectious so be prepared!

Our videographers, Amy Taylor (July/August) and Kate Garrett (Sept/Oct) - will be onboard with each tour group to record everyone swimming with whales and generally having a great holiday! DVD available for purchase.

          
        Kelly Evans           Helen Smith                Matt & Carmen                 Darren Jew              Amy Jayne Gilmore
Guide for the season   23 July - 17 Aug       19 Aug - 16 Sept             7 Sept - 4 Oct              17 Sept - 11 Oct

We still have some spaces left on a few of our tours. Especially Darren's Photgraphy tour 22 Sept - dont miss this opportunity to learn from Canon's 2010 Wildlife Photographer of the Year in Australia! See Darrens award winning photos below. . . . or on his website at www.darrenjew.com

Check out his tour info at http://www.whaleswim.com/tonga/photo_tours.html

For our 2010 Tour schedule with spaces and Last Minute Specials
Go to http://www.whaleswim.com/tonga/tours_schedule2010.html

30 June 2010

Darren Jew Wins the top Canon Wildlife Photography Awards in Australia AGAIN!

Our Photography Tour Guide and advisor has done it again!

At the Annual Canon/AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards Dinner in Melbourne last Monday night, Darren was very proud to be recognised as the 2010 Canon/AIPP Australian Science, Environment and Nature Photographer of the Year. In it's 34th year, the 2010 APPAs again attracted a record number of entries from all sectors of Australia's professional photographic community.

This is the third time (previously in 2007, 2009) that Darren has taken out this category, and was also presented with the AIPP honour of Master Photographer.

The Canon APPA's Science, Environment and Nature category was once again gratefully supported by photographer's carry bag companyLowepro, through their Australian distributor Maxwells.

A full list of winners from the various categories can be seen at the APPA web site.

Congratulations from his WhaleSwim Team!!

16 February 2010

Tonga battered by Cyclone Rene

The worst cyclone in 5 years hits Vava'u during the early hours of 15 February.

I spoke to Al on Sunday morning (14 Feb) and everyone was battening down in preparation for the cyclone, the worst was due to hit during the night. Our boats were taken up the harbour and secured on heavy moorings and everyone helped each other prepare for the worst!
I spoke to Al again on Monday morning very briefly as he had to 'save' his phone battery. There are no reports any fatalities or injury. He said the scariest thing was the noise - it was VERYloud and didn't let up all night until the 'eye' of the cyclone moved over Vava'u around 7 am on Monday morning.
The main damage was to trees and crops and some buildings have lost their roofs. Power lines are down and will be about 5 or 6 days before it willbe back on BUT beleive it or not - the internet is working!
Our boat jetty at Dolphin base, came loose during the night and floated off (see photo below) – its being repaired & ‘re-attached’ today!
The challenges the local Tongan people face is the loss of their crops. As a ‘subsistence’ culture, they rely on their family plantations for food. Tree crops such as coconuts, bananas, avocados, mangos and breadfruit have been stripped of their fruit, leaving only their root crops as their main food source. Oversea aid will assist these families greatly over the coming months by shipping in emergency dry and canned goods.

If you would like to assist in any way at all – email me for information.

Go to http://www.tongacharter.com/cyclone-rene.htm for more photos

        Roof blown off                   Our Jetty floating nearby!              Powerlines down

29 January 2010

A wonderful addition to our WhaleSwim Team in Vava'u!

Frederick Latu came in the world on 27 Janary 2010 by ceasaran!

Congratulations to our whale-loving skipper Kampeli and his lovely wife Neomai!

Mum and baby are doing well and very proud Dad Kam, cant take the smile off his face.

Here he is - just 3 weeks old!

28 January 2010

More Fantastic Publicity for WhaleSwim Adventures!

Sunday Telegraph 'Escape' Journalist, Angela Saurine's Experience in Tonga!

Angela is one of the top travel journalists for Australia's Sunday Telegraph 'Escape' magazine, she joined us and the humpback whales for our 8-night Paradise Islands Adventure tour during August 2009.

Click Here for story online PLUS gorgeous images by Darren Jew!

Click here for Angela's experience with the humpback whales.

(Please note: The photos published with the printed story were from a Getty Image Library, unfortunately due to the 'timing' of the story being published, we were not able to get images from Angela's trip or of any other WhaleSwim Tours to the newspaper in time.)

    
               Swimming with whales               Angela with fellow guests, Carmen and Erica.

9 January 2010

Help Save the Humpback Whales of Tonga and Australia!!!

A request from Capt Paul Watson of Sea Shepherd Conservation

Emergency Update: From the Frontlines of the Whale Wars

Dear Whale Supporter!
 
Our vessels and crews and have been ATTACKED! Lives have been threatened. A vessel has been destroyed. This day will go down in infamy.
 
We will not give up. We will not retreat. We will not surrender to those who want to do harm. We need your support today now more than ever.
 
Earlier today, our vessel the Ady Gil was severely damaged and almost sunk in a vicious and unprovoked attacked by a Japanese whaling harpoon vessel many times its size. The crew barely escaped with their lives and were rescued by our newest vessel the Bob Barker.
 
There is a battle between "David and Goliath." The illegal Japanese whalers are trying to physically harm and financially destroy your nonprofit whale defenders -- the Sea Shepherds. Show the whalers and the government of Japan that they cannot get away with this.
 
As I write, my valiant crews remain at sea, vigilant in their pursuit to stop the whalers. Our defense of the whales needs to continue in the Southern Oceans. We are their only hope.
 
Sea Shepherd is the only organization in the world directly intervening to save these magnificent and innocent beings but we cannot do it without you.
 
Please stand with us and click here to make a donation today or call 877-WHALES-911 (877-942-5379)* as we continue our fight in the coming days, weeks, months, year- whatever it takes.
 
From the bridge of the Steve Irwin, I thank you,

 

Captain Paul Watson

WhaleSwim Adventures has just donated USD$250.00 to assist their courageous efforts to save our whales. Please donate even USD$5 - it all helps!

20 November 2009

Coast & Country Magazine Australia features WhaleSwim Adventures!!

Inger Van Dyke - photo-journalist extraordinaire, joined our first Photography tour with Darren Jew, early in Sept 2009.

She had a great experience and took some amazing images of not only the humpbacks but with the people and culture in Vava'u and Tonga.

Her account of her experience appears in the latest 'Coast & Country' magazine - 'Summer' publication. Pick up a copy - its a great read!

Click here for Inger's amazing photo-journalist story!

Fantastic images of the whales and life in Vava'u, Tonga!!

Enjoy!!!

    Inger Van Dyke - photo-journalist extraordinaire!

30 September 09

The Earthquake . . . .and the Tsunami in Samoa & tiny Tongan islands of The Nuias

Everyone and everything is fine here in Vava'u Tonga!

Our experience . . . .
We felt a small earthquake this morning at around 7.20am (4.8) while we were eating breakfast on the deck ready for a day on the water with our 2 groups and the whales!
Around 8am were noticed the water was churning up a little at at the entrance of the harbour just below our house, and the tide level was changing rapidly - about 2 meters in and out every few minutes. 
This continued for about 2 hours and then went back to normal.
The stretch of water between Reef Resort on Kapa Island and Mala Island was like the 'wash cycle' in a washing machine, for about 2 hours as its in a direct line to Samoa and many areas are very shallow through there.
The reports from the outer islands has been similar to what we witnessed from our deck, just some rapid tides moving in and out.

We beleive that the islands of Vava'u, where we swim with the whales, were NOT affected by the tsunami BECAUSE the very deep water that surrounds Vava'u prevents a tsunami wave from forming (tsunami waves form in shallow water), so we had little or no damage or lives were NOT at risk.

Our thoughts are with all the families in The Nuias ( the tiny northern-most island of Tonga), Samoa and American Samoa who have been 'touched' by this tragic force of nature.

Ofu'atu - from Rae and the Team in Vava'u!

18 August 2009

Our 2009 tours are all FULLY BOOKED and our 2010 Tours are filling up!!

Join us and the humpback whales in Vava'u, Tonga in 2010.

Go to our Tour Schedule page CLICK HERE

Here are some of our 2009 guests having a great time on our tours over the past 5 weeks!

    

6 August 2009

Tonga's terrible tradegy of the sinking of the inter-island ferry Princess Ashika.

Aproximately 100 people are beli\eved to have drowned - mostly women and children.

We are mourning the many families who have lost loved ones. . . .some are close to us and many are families of friends and aquaintances. Everyone has been touched in some way by this tragedy.

The sheer enormity of the number lost truly moved us when we realised that .1% of the population of Tonga went down with the ferry.
For New Zealand, .1% of the population is 4,290 people, for Australia 21,056 people and for the USA 305,529 people - it puts the immensity of this sinking in perspective when just 4,000 people died on 9/11!

We ask you to contribute in some way if at all possible to assisting the people of Tonga.

Our sympathy and our blessings go to all the families affected. . . . .

26 July 2009

We are in Vava'u and the humpback whales are waiting!!

I arrived on 16 July . . .its soooo good to be back for my 10th year!

Each season on arrival in Vava'u at the start of the whale season - it's like I have come home. The friendly faces of my Tongan friends and family and the beautiful sparkling harbour always greet me with such happiness and warmth. . . my Tongan daughter Tupou, (Pou) was packed ready to move in on arrival and it's such fun to spend 3 months with her every year. I am truly blessed!
The house we have rented for the second season, quickly felt like I had never left it. (see photos from the balcony and garden vistors in left column)

Helen (our volunteer and a guest from last year) arrived the following day and we unpacked the house and prepared for the first tour group and we found time to go to Talihau for our first swim & snorkel in the warm turquoise water.

. . . . . on our 3rd day of our first tour!

The weather is perfect today and the whales and friendly!

The exquisite cobolt blue ocean was like a mirror and the visibility was 40m! We found 2 adults humpbacks 'courting' on the west side of the island near White Bay. . . friendly and curious they stayed around for 1.5 hours, happy to interact with us and each other.

The male humpback looked so much like a very friendly calf we swam with almost every day in 2002, we named him Solomon - (see photo in right column of the calf with the white pectoral fins and photographer.) Solomon would be 6 years old now and back in Vava'u ready to mate. On close inspection, he is not Solomon, (photo on right) but could be Solomons father, as he is a fully grown adult and white both sides of the pectoral fins is very rare. His pectorals certainly look the same as does his fluke, but the shading on his body is different to Solomons, especially behind the eye. . . we are eagerly awaiting Solomon's return to Vava'u as an adult We will keep you posted!
                                                                                                                                              Solomon??I dont think so!
                                                          A wonderful day with the whales!

13 July 2009

STOP PRESS!
See WhaleSwim Adventures in New Zealand's "AA Directions" & "North & South" magazines
July 2009

Freelance Travel journalist, Victoria Bartle, writes about Rae and her experience swimming with humpback whales in Vava'u Tonga

Victoria came to my home in New Zealand to interview me and she got so excited about swimming with the humpback whales we had her booked on a tour before we had finished the interview!

Link to our stort in AA Directions magazine
http://www.aa.co.nz/aadirections/traveller/Pages/tonga-whales.aspx

Our North & South story is not available online - you need to buy the magazine - see page 28!!!!

 

1 July 2009

The first Humpback whales have been spotted off the western coast of Vava'u, Tonga!!!

They have started to arrive. . . . . . !!

Every year I get soooo excited when I hear of the first whales seen around the islands of Vava'u!
They are on time (as always!) and with just 3 weeks to my departure for my 3 months in Tonga, I am busy packing up the house and answering lots of late enquiries for whale-lovers waniting to join our tours this season. In fact, I have added another 2 tours as I hate turning people away!

We have been operating the best tours in Vava'u for the past 10 years, and that shows when times are tough worldwide. Our reputation goes before us as many of our guests are referred by friends and family or guests returning for the 2 or 3rd time.

I have reduced the prices so we can fill the last few spaces - so please join us and the whales this season. . . its a profound and gob-smacking experience! Click here for the up-to-date Tour Schedule 2009!

See you in Vava'u!

Rae

30 June 2009

Darren Jew Wins the top Canon Wildlife Photography Awards in Australia!

Our Photography Tour Guide and advisor has done it again!

At the Annual Canon / AIPP APPA Awards Dinner last night in Sydney, Darren was very proud to be recognised as the 2009 Canon/AIPP Australian Science, Environment and Nature Photographer of the Year. In it's 33rd year, the 2009 APPAs attracted a record number of entries from all sectors of Australia's professional photographic community.

This is the second time (previously in 2007) that he has taken out the category. His winning portfolio included 1 Silver Award, 1 Silver with Distinction, 1 Gold and 1 Gold with Distinction. (see all images in left column)

The Canon APPA's Science, Environment and Nature category was again gratefully supported by photographer's carry bag company Lowepro.

You can visit the AIPP's web site to see where the Canon APPA Exhibition can be seen, and to order the 2009 Awards Book.

Congratulations from his WhaleSwim Team!!

19 June 2009 - As reported in Daily Telegraph Sydney. . . .

Slip, Slop, Slap! Sunburnt Humpback whale!!

Too much time in the sun, is as bad for whales as it is for humans.

This humpback whalewas spotted off Port Macquarie last week, displaying signs of sunburn.

The white areas are where the skin has gone exposing the blubber. . .

For details on the story Click Here

10 June 2009

An severely scarred Humpback whale on the East Coast of Australia

As reported in Daily Telegraph Sydney. . . .

The humpback whale with bad scars on it back from a ship's propeller, was spotted just north of Sydney on Monday 8 June. It was among a large pod of cetaceans happy to breach for a large crowd on comnmerecial whalewatching vessels, but the boat-shy whale dubbed 'Razorback' by a photographer, understandably didnt enjoy the attention.

For details on the story Click Here

10 June 2009

2010 WhaleSwim tours are now ready to book online!

Early Bird Discounts . . . .
If you book book your 2010 tour before 1 December 2009 , you will receive a discount of AUD$100 per person on our 7 & 9-day tours and $50

Click Here ! for the 2010 Tour Schedule information page

Click Here to download a schedule

27 March 2009

AFTER THE . . . . Underwater volcanic eruption in the Hungas - near the main island of Tongatapu!!

(Don't worry, its 600kms from Vava'u - where we swim wth the whales!!)

Spectacular to see. . . . the local domestic airline organised a flight over the volcano last Sunday - here are the photos!

The volcanic eruption is very close to Tongatapu, it is close to the Hunga group of islands just off Tongatapu.

You can see the brownish colour in the water - that is the hot lava that has run into the sea.

Friends of mine took the flight and said it was absolutely amazing to see!!

For the people of Tonga and for us here in NZ, volcanos and earthquakes are a regular occurance and we experience it as amazing rather than scarey. For those in the northern hemisphere, it can be unfamiliar.

Our guests coming joining us in Tonga this year, will be able to see it on your way to Vava'u - I am sure the pilots will fly over it - so make sure you have your cameras at the ready!

In the photo on the far right below - you can see the main island of Tongatapu in the distance - the island is part of the Hunga group of islands and is approximately 30kms north of Nuku'alofa.

             

19 March 2009

Join our NEW FaceBook Group!!! "I Want to Swim with Whales before I Die" CLICK HERE !

share your comments and your dreams with us to help make it happen . . . . .

If you have swum with humpback whales, had this amazing experience with us or worked on staff in Tonga - then we would love it if you would share your photos and experiences all our members.

CLICK HERE !

19 March 2009                      STOP PRESS!       NEW ZEALAND!!

WhaleSwim Adventures is on the NEW season's 'Getaway' this weekend !!

Saturday 21 March at 7.30 pm on Prime TV

Voted as one of the BEST TOP 10 Experiences on Getaway over the programs 20 years !

Watch Natalie swim with the humpback whales in Vava'u Tonga!
Be inspired to join us and the magnificent humpback whales in the South Pacific paradise of Vava'u Tonga.
It is the most incredible experience you can have in your lifetime. . . . .

. . . . . if you are not going to be home - dont forget to record it!

18 March 2009

Underwater volcanic eruption in the Hungas - near the main island of Tongatapu!!

(Don't worry, its 600kms from Vava'u - where we swim wth the whales!!)

Spectacular to see. . . .

Exciting news, the volcanic eruption is very close to Tongatapu, it is close to the Hunga group of islands just off Tongatapu.
An island in the making, just how long it takes and how long it stays is up to mother nature.

Close up photos of the Hungas taken yesterday by Lothar Slabon from Razak's boat , "Southern extreme" .

    

6 Feb 2009

Breaking News from 'Operation Musashi' in the Antarctic

05 Feb 2009 Death in the Ross Sea - Whale Killed by the Japanese Whalers
02 Feb 2009 Sea Shepherd Response to Accusations from Japanese Whalers
Click thses links for the lastest news!

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ship Steve Irwin is in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, defending the lives of our minke whales.

The brave and courageous Crew onboard the 'Steve Irwin' in the Antarctic ned your help - donations are needed to continue to stop the Japanese killers transferring the bidies of the dead whales onto the factory ship.

Both Sides Agree that Whaling Operations Have Been Shut Down

From the Telegraph (U.K.)

"What is important however is that despite the violence from the whalers, no whales are being killed," he added. "They can't get away from us and if we keep on their tail they can't kill whales." Said Captain Paul Watson

Toshinori Uoya, a spokesman for the Far Seas Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Tokyo confirmed that the fleet had been forced to halt its whaling operations but declined to give a figure on how many whales the fleet have already harpooned.

Captain Paul Watson responds: As of 0930 Hours on February 3, whaling operations have been shut down for 48 Hours. The Sea Shepherd ship Steve Irwin is right behind the Japanese factory ship Nisshin Maru and is chasing the whaler south into the Ross Sea.

http://www.seashepherd.org/ - for more news and to donate.

26 January 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!
We look forward to swimming with the beautiful gentle giants of Tonga with you!

Its going to be a great year and already our 'Best Private Chartered Tours in Tonga' reputation is filling the spaces quicker each year - lots of our past guests are joining us again - so we have had to add more tours for 2009!
So its time for you to book your tour while you still have a choice of tours and dates. . . .

We need to remind you that our guests love that we are the only tours that include all accommodation and most of the meals - then there are no big $$$ surprises BUT MOST OF ALL, that we are the only tours that have you staying many of the nights on beautiful tropical islands out in the whale nursery - not in town without a beach!

!0 years of operating successful eco-tours in Vava'u, means we know what works and what our guests want!

Go to our 2009 Tour Schedule CLICK HERE for dates, prices and spaces left!

3 November 2008
Australia & New Zealand Offices NOW OPEN!

We are back from Tonga after a great season with so many wonderful encounters with the whales!

AUSTRALIANS - call us on our FREE 1800 629 306 number at any time

NEW ZEALANDERS call us on 09 811 8096 -

UK, EUROPE & USA - Email us with you tel number and we are happy to talk to you and work out the best tour for you!

23 September 2008
Our 2009 tours are now ready to be booked! Click here

I have spent the past week mostly on land and in front of the laptop, putting our 2009 tours together so you can book ealry to unsure a place on the tour of your choice!

Prices have increased a little - mainly due to the price of fuel and food stuffs coming in from overseas. Deisel is $4 a litre here and rising! BUT its all worth it when you experience these amazing humpback whales in the water!

We have 6 different tour choicesfor 2009, our new Paradise Islands Deluxe tour with just 4 guests is our 'premiere' tour with top-class accommodation in Vava'u and delcious dining experiences NOT to mention 6 days on the water with the whales and just 4 guests! (Remember, being in a small group is great BUT you need to be extra-fit as there is no rest in-between encounters with the whales!)

We also have new accommodation properties included in our tours for 2009 - I think you will enjoy them!! After 9 seasons here we know what our guests like, so we make it easy for you by making sure the accommodation included in our tours is the best available here in Vava'u. You dont always know what you will get when choosing from a brochure or a website list! Check out our 'Accommodation' page for details on each property.

Our list of 2009 tours with detailed information of what is included CLICK HERE

21 September 2008
More of the same - lots friendly whales for both group tours!!

We have had 2 tours running at once - one being our photographers group, guided by Australia's best wildlife photographer, Darren Jew.

Darren is a great person as well as an amazingly talented photographer - our guests love him and so does the Team! If you want to learn 'HOW' to use your camera and get the best possible images of whales - then Darren's willingness to assist will no doubt be the best asset in joining our Photo tour in 2009! He's the best fun too!
He will be back on the WhaleSwim team again next season (2009). Check out our Photography tour page Click Here

We have just completed our second 3-day tour for the season. The guests can't take the smile of their faces - so the Whaleswim Team are doing something right! Most of them will be back on a longer tour next year - all said they should have booked a longer tour than just 3 days!

         

8 September 2008
A Whale with its mouth open!!

Had to show you this! Very rare to see this.

From time to time we see it, but as they are NOT in their feeding ground, there is no need to open their mouth. . .

31 August 2008
Great weather and many more humpback whales than 2007 season!

We are half way through the humpback whales season and we have been swimming with whales most days so far.

Its certainly the breeding season - we have swum with 3 pregnant humpback females in the past week. The most interesting was this beautiful gray/white female - probably her first calf as she was considerably shorter than her male carers. See pic on left. We swam with her on several days and we look forward to swimming with her calf too!

The sunny weather is starting to pack in. . . we are happy in one way - our rain water tank ran out yesterday and had to start using town water. Some of he island resorts also had to have fresh rain water shipped in. Bring it on! (for a day or 2 only!)

17 August 2008
Short Fin Pilot Whales, a Whale Shark & Humpback Whales! All in one day!

WOW!! What a day!
Spotted a group of humpbacks breaching out beyond Fatumanga Island and as the sea was so calm out beyond the islands today that we were happy to venture out as the guests that suffer seasickness were OK.
After all the group had a couple of swims with them - our skipper, Kam called me thought he had seen a tiger shark swim by - Sam jumped in to check and there was a 30ft whale shark! We all slid into the water quietly and the whale shark swam around us for 20 minutes - it was amazing!

Then I spotted what I thought were a pod of dolphins BUT as they came towards us , I saw that they were Short-finned Pilot whales - my first experience with whales was when I was 9 - with this very cute species. Each group of 4 guests had a great swim with them before they headed off. They were very shy, not like the humpbacks!

It is the last day of this group of guests - what a send off! They cant take the smaile of their faces.

    

27 July 2008
Humpback Whales everywhere!

The humpbacks have arrived well and truly and will congregate around the islands of Vava'u over the next couple weeks We have had 2 days on the water with the whales and having amazing interaction - lots of happy and smiling guests!

The photo on the left was taken today! Three humpbacks around the boat for 2 hours - great photos!

16 July 2008
Arrived in Vava'u! for the season!
Its so good to be back and can't wait to get out on the water with the whales!

The weather is fantastic - no rain for 6 weeks and hardly any wind.

Can't wait to get out with the whales!! Sam and I are getting ready for our first group starting 25 July - there will be lots of whales there by then - and hopefully a few new calves!

We are renting a great house this season - beautiful views! PLUS daily visits from the neighbours piglets! Very cute! (see pic on left!)

10 June 2008
STOP PRESS!! The first Humpbacks Whales of the season are arriving in Tonga!!
Some if the game fishing operators have spotted the first humpbacks of the season, several kilometres off the islands of Vava'u!!
The humpbacks are arriving and will congregate around the islands of Vava'u over the next couple weeks, and begin to venture in amongst the islands of Vava'u the first week of July.

Can't wait to get there!! Sam and I get there on 16 July to get ready for our first group starting 25 July - there will be lots of whales there by then - and hopefully a few new calves! See you there!
The photo on the left was taken on 24 July 2007 - these 3 magnificent whales played with us for 2 hours!!

April 2008
Yahoo!! - Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace vessels were in the face of Japan's whaling ships and saved nearly 400 whales from being killed this season !!

PLUS - Romania has joined the IWC to vote against whaling!

This was in the Sydney Morning Herald. . . .
JAPAN'S whalers blamed "relentless interference" from environmentalists and Australia's official surveillance as they detailed the poor results of their Antarctic hunt.

Click Here for more information and images.

28 Feb 2008
Schoolkids urged to eat whale meat!
JAPAN'S whaling researchers dumped 10 tonnes of unsold whale meat into primary school lunches, labelling the event "traditional school lunch week".

In a desperate attempt to revive the flagging market, the Institute for Cetacean Research (ICR) supplied the research by-product to 254 Yokohama schools over two days last month, hoping to give their young palates a taste for whale meat.
Faced with a reported 3000 tonne inventory of unsold meat from last year's cull, the ICR contacted the Yokohama City Education committee, suggesting the department include research meat in their school lunches.
A total of 200,000 lunches of whale meat salad marinated in sesame sauce were served on January 21 and 22. Yokohama children have not eaten whale meat as part of school lunches in 26 years.
The ICR refused to comment on its controversial programs.

for more . . . . click here

My comment: So maybe whaling is about 'power' - something they lost at the end of World War II? Maybe if USA and Britain will allow them to have armed forces again - they might give up killing whales!

7 Feb 2008
Shocking . . . two minke whales are hauled aboard a Japanese whaler.
Japanese authorities have denied reports the two were a mother and calf.

The newly elected Australian Labour Government are 'walking their talk! They obviously mean business and the first Government in the world to take 'real' action to stop Japan murdering the whales on our oceans! How refreshing!!

Click Here for more information and images.