TravelStream™ news feed for member shell51 on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/shell51 en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:48:13 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shell51/2/1221629280/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shell51/2/1221629280/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shell51/2/1221629280/tpod.html Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:48:13 -0400 To Tonga with the Whales

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Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

As promised some photos finally. ust a few of our wonderful trip. X-Rays confirm fracured rib, could have more damage but too early to show up on film. Very sore, but will heal, and the wonderful memories will live on.
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Nadi, Viti Levu, Fiji

Well on the way home now, long wait for connecting flight, so took the opportunity to catch up with you.

Have spent the last 5 days staying at the Blue Lagoon Resort.
Wind Powered generators, stayed in Fares/fales very rustic, but very
charming and unusual. The water was lapping at our door, slept
well to the sounds of the sea, under old fashioned mossie nets.
Food incredible, German chef runs the place with his family, the only
inhabitants of the island. No mobile coverage, no TV., no radio, just
cut off from the rest of the world, Excellent snorkelling arond
the reefs, but a lot of damage since the cyclone in 2002. Coral
only starting to regrow, some very pretty fish etc.



Now to the awesome part, I have spent 7 days on the water with the whales, 4 days were the best, just fabulous.

They let you go in under strict guidelines, only 4 plus a guide. You
don't swim with the males they are too boistorous, but not many around
at this time of year, they have done their bit. You are allowed
in with Mothers and their calfs, they often have an escort accompanying
them (not always). That is the size of a pod, not largely social
like dolphins.



Rules:- Not to get between the mother and her calf, stay within her
range of vision on each side, don't get behind her tail, and not on
top. Often quite hard as deep water and currents sweep you along
and often very choppy. Not to kick too hard, use a cycling motion
when paddlng, so as not alarm them. Also hard because the babies
are very inquisitive and swim around you and the boat sticky
beaking. Sooooo cute.



Easily see how they come to harm they are an easy target. If they
don't want to be with you they just swim away, but they do stay and are
so placid for such huge animals. And I mean huge 40 ton Mothers
and wider than a bus.



On one of my last swims I looked directly in the eye of a new mother,
and she looked at me, I can't describe the feeling of awe. I was
sending all my telepathic messages to her, that we mean no harm
we just wanted to share the joy of her new baby. And he was so
new, his dorsal fin and tail were still floppy, has to rise to the
surface to breathe more often than Mum, but comes back down and tucks
himself under her fin or lays across her back. At one stage he
was laying back to back with her just cruising along. And Mum was
happy for us to stay with her for hours.



In total I think I had 15 swims with the whales, approximately 12 were
particularly wonderful, water not as clear as you would like but if
they were happy to stay with us, we had wonderful encounters.



I will have photos when I get home, we did get a video too on one of
our days. The first time a videographer was able to capture a
whale breeching from under and above the water. Fantastic!!!!

We also had along as one of the guides a professional photgrapher, he
won the award from Canon for the best photographer last year.



Well bye for now, I will probably drive you crazy when I get home with
this, but it is truly awesome. I cannot say that I have enjoyed
anything more. I was nervous at first, but that soon
changed. I am covered with bruises trying to climb back into the
boat in the rough seas, and I think I have cracked some ribs on one
side, took a tumble on the duck board edge, very sore. But to me
each mark means an encounter with something wonderful. Sounds a
bit sooky?????



Would go back every year if ^I could, But thoughts wander to swimming with Minke whales etc etc.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shell51/2/1220872200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shell51/2/1220872200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shell51/2/1220872200/tpod.html Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:17:47 -0400 To Tonga with the Whales

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Vava'u, Tonga

On the free day, we explored the little town and the markets. Very fresh produce. The Kart safari was great, souped up Go Karts with roll cages. Off the beaten track through very rough tracks, with a guide. We were taken to some beautiful lookouts at the most eastern and northerly points of the island. Saw a Bat colony and beautiful beaches with history and legend abounds.
The island much bigger than we imagined, out for 3 hours on these rough tracks, quite quite quite rough.
Still buzzing when we got back.

The out to a traditional feast and dancing by the local children. Just lovely. You tucked small demoniation notes into their costumes for their education. (Early strip show) no I don't mean that, it was lovely and they were very enthusiastic. The youngest was 4 up to 15 years.

Today 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.
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Vava'u, Tonga

I did it, I finally swam with whales, Amazing, stupendous, absolutely fantastic, and just plain awesome. The photos probably did not happen, hopefully some of the other in the group will turn out.
Just too taken in with it all to even think about focussing a camera.

Our group is the first time that they have had all females, 11 of us in total, with a male skipper and photographer (who incidentally broke his camera when the going got rough) bugger!

First time in the 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 she was pregnant just so wide.

Then back out to sea, think we came 1/2 way to Australia in open water and again very very choppy. A real challenge getting back into the boat. Lots of bruises from grabbing the rail but so worth it. This time in the water with a Mother and her new calf, swimming almost on top of Mum. Very new, still had some birth membranes trailing, fish feeding off this. Had a male escort further down. Awesome, the baby was so beautiful, and they turned showing their white underbellies.

We have seen lots of tail fins, and pectoral waving, and footprints in the water. A full day on the water, lots of the group getting quite sea sick, very rough with wind. But you can't help the weather, just go with it.
Please pass on to Gary, can't seem to get hold of him.

Today will be a day off the water, we are going on a Kart safari for 3 hours, told to wear old clothes as they are likely to be ruined. More adventure.
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Vava'u, Tonga

Finally here after a day stopover in Fiji, and then 3 flights to reach this place. Very pretty but quite third world, pigs roam the street, dogs and chooks. You hear them all times of the night and the church bells start at 5am, drums and singing all before 7am. People friendly and smiling.

We got out on the water at long last yesterday, very choppy and windy, saw two whales but conditions not good to get in the water with them. We were able to snorkel in some protected caves, unusual feeling. Water very deep, large drop offs. Pretty fish, large brain coral, but sadly not well protected. Graffiti on walls etc.
The water is the most amazing blue, like somebody dropped in an ink well. And not too cold at all.

Well just a quick catch up, no photos to show, not my computer just the hotel's. Please pass on to Gary. Not so computer literate as some of you.
Bye for now.
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Brisbane, Australia

Shopping day, new Fins, snorkel and mask, defogger for mask and small carry bag, and a dry bag for the boat.
Less than 3 weeks, segment on Getaway last night where we will be going, getting really excited, looks awesome. Will have to pack very light this time, boats, row boats, and small planes. Decided not to go with the cost of a wet suit, hope I won't be sorry.
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Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Well, we are home again. Woo hoo! Dogs very excited as we were to see them. so much to sort out, back in the real world. Have spent a few hours just catching up on some shut eye. with long flights, different beds, pillows and time zones, need some adjustment time. Still waiting to see a medico too, hopefully before the end of the week.

Lovely trip, but as always nice to be home and plan for more. It will be mostly camping for a while now so we can replenish the coffers.

Thanks everybody for your thoughts whilst we were away, just loved hearing from you.

Catch up again
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shell51/1/1214810940/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shell51/1/1214810940/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shell51/1/1214810940/tpod.html Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:33:24 -0400 Round the world ( or just a part of it) in 6 weeks

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Singapore, Singapore

On the last leg almost, arrived in Singapore after an overnight flight from Dubai. The bug I have been fighting for yhas finally got me. Sorest throat, razor blades to swallow, Gary also mildly affected.
Went to Chemist but no real help, time to be home to see own Doctor.

Has been fun keeping in touch with you all this way, I have received a few comments, and they have been great.
Look forward to catching up in person.
See you soon. xoxo
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shell51/1/1214654400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shell51/1/1214654400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shell51/1/1214654400/tpod.html Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:24:56 -0400 Round the world ( or just a part of it) in 6 weeks

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Istanbul, Turkey

Arrived back in Istanbul quite late last night, so today did not commit to much. Went wandering around the old town, quite rabbit warren of old streets. Visited the Basillic Cistern, established in the times of Emperor Justinian 527-565AD. We descended under the city to find rows and rows of columns rising out of water. Corinthian and Ionic if I can remember my high school architecture. The columns were covered in a type of mortar to make them water proof.. The cistern has the capacity to store tons of water. Many homes can still access these waterways through the basements of their homes. I remember seeing a National Geographic program about this not long ago.

Water drips from the high vaulted ceiling, fish swim in the water. It was lovely and cool away from the heat above. At the end of a long row of columns there are two which have Medusa's head at the base, one with the head upside down and one with head laid on it's side. Once again Mythology mixing with practicality. I was very fortunate with setting my camera lens to open longer and take a shot of the vaults, columns and reflections in the water.

There is a coffee shop at one end lit by candlelight, we had a cool drink and sat back to absorb the unusual surroundings.

Back on the surface, we wandered to the Grand Bazaar, oh my this is a place you can get lost. Many alley ways and innumerable shops, I don't know how they survive all selling the same sort of thing, row after row. They try every trick to entice you in, serve you apple tea and try to do deals. The amount of hawkers and Turkish Carpet salesman my goodness they would try to sell you a Genie and a flying carpet if they could.

Our last official night of our trip, so out to see a traditional 1001 nights show. Belly Dancers, Knife throwers and Folk dancers. Very entertainng, those girls have muscles you would die for, and such control. After a while room became too smoky, so unusual to have people smoking through a meal. We are spoilt at home. And the music is full on loud, I must be getting old.... Anyway still in full swing midnight, and we have a flight to catch in the morning. Will be having an overnight stop in Singapore then home.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shell51/1/1214653080/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shell51/1/1214653080/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shell51/1/1214653080/tpod.html Sat, 28 Jun 2008 07:59:37 -0400 Round the world ( or just a part of it) in 6 weeks

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Canakkale, Turkish Aegean Coast, Turkey

Troy 27th June


The excavations here started back in 1871, fuelled by the dreams of a German man. The site is now UNESCO listed. I wanted to go back in time and just see and feel how it really was. Imagination is needed to visualise what the ruins had been. So old and yet so involved. Oh Kylie you would have just loved this. I took many photos for you.

Every time we came around a corner we saw something else, such history they have only uncovered 10% of the supposed area. They don't bother much if they find roman stuff, they reckon there are enough roman relics and they don't need any more. It was found utilising the descriptions from Homer's "The Iliad" describing the surrounding landscapes. Mythology and ancient history mixed to make it so fascinating. Of course - quite touristy with done up Trojan horses for the visitors to have their photos taken with.

They have uncovered foundations dating back 5000 years; there are many levels to Troy, each built on over the centuries. So far they have uncovered 9 periods of settlement. Our guide was an historian who had written books regarding Troy and Gallipoli. It is on a high vantage point, so you could see how they could have control of the land and the sea. Unfortunately a lot of the relics and tiles have been stolen, probably in museums all over the world, in particular Russia.

We had a free afternoon then in Canakkale, but not a lot to do. I don't think the tour company organises this part well, many were disgruntled they had to wait till the afternoon to travel back to Istanbul. Of course they showed us movies of Gallipoli, that we have seen many times over. Back on the little boat to Ecebat, and bus back to Istanbul. Long day, not back to hotel till nearly midnight, no rocking to get to sleep tonight.



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