It's a rainy day here in Tonga, so I thought I'd share more photos of the spectacular Beveridge Reef and the humpback whales we swam with while we were there. How strange to be sitting at anchor in 3 meters of flat water in what is, for all intents and purposes, the middle of the ocean. No part of the reef is actually exposed at Beveridge, so all you can see is the collision of swell and reef in a continuous band of white spray all around you. If you approach on a relatively calm day, as we did, you can rely on eyesight to navigate. The strange line of whitewater that appears before you gives you fair warning that it's not just you and the deep blue anymore. But if you were to arrive on a day with strong wind and heavy swell, you'd not be able to tell the waves from the whitecaps, and you'd be thankful for modern technology. The conditions we experienced during our second day there were about as close to perfect as it gets. Swimming with the whales was indescribable. I get why some people get all emotional and gushy about it and I have a new appreciation for those who credit "good energy" for these kinds of experiences. I don't know if being within a few body lengths of these massive, gentle animals, seeing how curious they are, and hearing their chatter is life changing, but it certainly makes you think about what we're all doing here.

We miss it there already... Anyway, we're heading off from Neiafu tomorrow to explore some of the Vava'u group's more remote places. I will post some more current photos when these grey clouds lift and things dry out a bit.