Euaiki Island Eco-Resort Neiafu

... for another 20 minutes or so. It was an amazing experience, such a beautiful, graceful giant and it didn't seem at all bothered by our presence, swimming back and forth alongside the yacht. We're now in town (Neifau) getting more food and water for the boat, we only have a few days left in Tonga (booo). The weather has been wonderful until today, now it's a bit wet but due to clear up again tomorrow.

... Billy unfortunately thinks he has dengue fever or a virus thats been going around....which i forgot to mention - Dengue has been pretty bad here lately! Doh, please don't let us get dengue !!!! Anyway, they seem pretty cool and hopefully we'll get them to take us out to see their Island at some point! In the evening we ventured down to the Mermaid bar to meet with the Doctors. There are only 3 doctors in total working at the hospital ...

<br><br>Thursday - arrived in Va'vau! <br><br>We arrived early at the airport and sat outside in the little cafe area overlooking the runway whilst we waited to board! We chatted away; eating ice cream (as you do!) and watched a small aircraft land and pull round, for a moment I just thought it was a small cargo plane, then the people diembarked and their luggage started to be unloaded and we realized that this tiny ...

... of midnight the heavens opened and the most torrential rain I have ever seen or heard drummed on the corregated tin roof until 7 am when we had o get up for the fishing trip. Depite concerns that the weather would wreck the day (if not the boat) we left with Henk (Dutch/Kiwi skipper of Target One); Te'O (the local crew with 4 teeth) and picked up Mark (NZ lawyer/fellow tourist). Once we left port the skies cleared and we went looking for fish ...

... calf who were singing to each other and playing just 10 metres below us. This was a truly amazing experience, only slightly tarnished by the large group of Kiwis who were also on our boat. A nap then some food at The bounty and it was time for Quiz night at Tonga Bobs. We came in a dismal 4th place, but then who knew that a ...

... with non-english speaking hostess, Paia, rusty bath and no hot water, pictures of tongan royal family a really wierd place. Took a stroll around Neiafu which lasted 3 minutes, they have 3 bars, 3 ATMs and 1 internet cafe (here I am). Ended up sinking a large number of ikale's in Tonga Bobs, watching the sunset (not in a romantic way) and ...

... water in very choppy swell 3 metres, got in with 3 whales, looking directly under me 2 came up from deep below, I thought S#@%, I hope they can see me, so big and so graceful. They turned away as I paddled to one side, they are so aware of where we are in the water as long as we stay in their visual field. The large tail did one flick as it went by me, so glad they had turned a bit daunting. Then we went to calmer waters, and saw a rather large one, think ...

... we move to another island and stay at a place called Blue Lagoon. Have no idea if internet is available. It is run on wind generators and we stay in traditional Fare's (grass huts). But the important thing it is right in the middle of the whale nursery, so we will be right there, not have to sail out for a few hours to reach it. Woo hoo. Update Gary for me if you can. Still can't reach him.

... nesten litt sol. Har kommet oss inn til byen i dag, for aa se paa havna, og spise is, hehe... Har ikke gjort stort egentlig,vi bor rett ved vannet, men ikke fatt solt oss eller badet. Fikk padlet litt i kajakk i gaar da det var litt opphold,dro til en annen oy ,og fikk trimmet litt igjen saa det varbra. Flyet til New Zealand gaar om to dager,flyet tilbake til Tongatapu gaar i morgen tidlig. Da er Stillehavet over for denne gang,men jeg er sikker paa at jeg kommer tilbake igjen!

For now, just a quick word... Every Friday night in Vava'u, anyone who is eager can enter their boat in the weekly race held in the Port of Refuge. If you are without sail, you can hop aboard a boat that is entered and help crew, or just be the onbard cheer squad. It's a great way to start the night...with awards and drinks after.