Kingdom Of Humpback Whales

See a giant humpback whales violation of the ocean surface is one of those goose bumps now also a chill in the back.

In Tonga, I see not one but many women to participate hit the sea, landing a big accident, hitting the tail of the water and dive deep into our boat waves dance around.

We're sitting in the back of the boat, all oriented with masks, snorkels and fins, ready to take the final step, when we got the first glimpse of these magnificent creatures on the surface. As soon as their body elegantly gliding through the water cry from captain to enter and begin to swim as fast as we could.

Humpback whales are fast enough. Within seconds they were gone again. One of the scuba diving and have not seen. But then I saw one, gliding effortlessly beneath me deep in the back, white belly on the display. I could not take my eyes off it, and stayed focused on it until it gradually faded away. Amazing. I raised my head above water to see what my friends were snorkeling, wondering if they had seen. A pair of beaming faces looked at me. Their smiles said it all.

Humpback whales swim is just one of many water-based activities of Vava'u, about 260 km north of the main island of Tonga Tongatapu. Vava'u has 34 islands, of which only 21 are inhabited. If you love the water, there is no activity or no matter how many waves to choose from: snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, sailing and kayaking.

For me, the whale was the best. The best time to go is between July and October, but especially in August and September when you can participate in a whale watching excursion from the main port of Neiafu. Humpback whales come to mate and calve in the warm coat, at the same time each year and Tonga is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with them.

"You never know how many whales you will see, or when they will default," our skipper told us. "That's the interesting part of it."

We were told that women often humpbacks, a violation of this time of year to attract males, and was an amazing ritual - but had to make sure you look the right way. We took a couple of times.

Waiting for a whale to the surface on one side of the boat, we heard a big presentation, and whip around just to see her disappearing under the water on the other side. I consider myself lucky.

I saw a violation many times and sometimes had to stop constantly look in my viewfinder.

Next on the list was scuba diving with dolphins in the Pacific, a couple of reefs along the coast.

The visibility was amazing - the colors are bright and had incredible coral formations so that the eye could see, and many schools of fish, some yellow fluorescent turquoise, other electrical circuits.

There are many activities for those who do not like water, like a kart safari, adventure directed by Vava'u. In our three-hour visit, the zoom along dirt roads through the jungle, see magnificent viewpoints, beaches, remote villages and tropical plantations. It was a good way to discover the other side of Vava'u, off the beaten track.

After all that adrenaline and adventure, I would prefer more relaxing time. It was found Ha'apai Islands, Kingdom of the geographic center of the four main islands, 100 miles south of Vava'u. Ha'apai is a small, palm-fringed beaches and sleepy way of life.

I rented a bicycle and ride from the village of Pangai relaxed, where I was, to the nearby island of FOA, the main island, connected by causeway Lifuka. The beaches are beautiful, and it was a real easy for an hour or two.

Cultural attractions are worth visiting around Lifuka Velata include Fortress and a monument of Shirley Baker, who arrived in Tonga as a Wesleyan missionary, but he was political adviser to King Taufa'ahau Tupou I.

Younger, I was ready for a little tourism and flew to the main island of Tongatapu, 160 km south of Ha'apai, just in time for Heilala Festival, a celebration of the distinctive culture of Tonga and Heritage. King George Tupou V was honored for his birthday with a colorful parade float.

Tongatapu is home to the capital, Nuku'alofa, and has its own natural attractions and historical monuments, tombs terraced (Langi), natural stone arches, limestone caves and spectacular vents.

Last but not least, are directed towards "the EUA, just 40 miles off Nuku'alofa and 'was a huge contrast from the islands -. The gritty and covered with dense forests. - And the best trekking in Tonga is in largely undeveloped, and much to explore 'a great top of the cliffs. At the north end, and a pristine forest,' Eua National Park.

Best of 'Eua, Tonga and, in general, is the incredible hospitality of the inhabitants.

A rainy Sunday in the family Eua Guest House Taina took me to church. Then, after taking a plate of chicken and taro they invited me to spend the afternoon with them gently pineapple cakes cooking Tonga.

Crissy Taina nine year old daughter asked me when I returned to Tonga. I said I do not know, but Tonga have made a great impression, and I knew I wanted to return soon.

QUICK FACTS

Air New Zealand has five flights a week from Auckland to Tonga.

Pacific Blue flights from Auckland to Nuku'alofa depart twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays.

Chathams Pacific Airlines operates regular domestic flights to the islands of Vava'u Nuku'alofa, Ha'apai and 'Eua and the northernmost Niuas (Niuatoputapu and Niufo'ou), which differ from once a week Vavá' u.

The currency is the Pa'anga (NZ $ 1 = $ 1.36 TPO). Most ATMs in Tonga are in and around Nuku'alofa, but two in Vava'uy Ha'apai and one in 'Eua.

Tonga has a pleasant tropical climate. The rainy season from December to April. The cool, dry season with temperatures averaging 22 degrees Celsius, runs from May to November.

Humpback whales migrate to Tonga in July to mate and give birth, staying until about November.

The Tonga Visitors Bureau (Ministry of Tourism) is the National Tourism Office (NOT) for the Kingdom of Tonga, South Pacific.