Swim with Whales to Save Them!
Join a special TAX DEDUCTIBLE Imaging Foundation expedition to produce a multi-media Internet campaign to save Tonga's Humpback Whales.
Where: Ha'apai Islands, Kingdom of Tonga
When: August 2-11, 2005
What cost: $3,800 (USD)
Why: For the thrill of your life and the chance
to make a genuine difference
The breaching, singing and curious gentle-giant humpback whale is the great dramatic icon of ocean conservation and inspiration for scientists, wildlife enthusiasts and children all over the world. But, as much as we would like to believe in the success of the international anti-whaling campaigns of the 80s, these whales are far from "saved". As Japan gears up to begin "harvesting" humpbacks from Antarctic waters again, Tonga also continues to debate the merits of renewed slaughter in its tropical breeding waters. Among the vehement supporters of whaling in Tonga are a number of powerful political players. But the King of Tonga's 1979 decree to protect Tonga's humpbacks remains in place - for now ...
During the decade NAI'A guests have been swimming with whales in Tonga we have witnessed your affection for these astonishing animals. You have contributed fluke photographs and video to researchers, collected sloughed off skin from the water's surface for DNA analysis, sat patiently in skiffs to record the long haunting melodies of humpback song and shared your immense excitement over snorkeling and diving with whales as well as your deep disgust at the possibility of whaling in Tonga. Two years ago, hundreds of NAI'A folks contributed to a petition and e-mail campaign in Tonga against whaling and in favor of whale-swimming. But, most importantly, it is the tourism dollars you have spent in Tonga to see LIVE humpback whales in their mating and breeding ground that has kept authorities from acquiescing to forces who wish to kill them for meat.
But it's not over yet.
This year, we've teamed up with the Imaging Foundation for a very special Tonga Humpback Whale Expedition. We will harness all this enthusiasm, energy and experience in the most practical and powerful way we can. From August 2-11, professional photographers, filmmakers, writers and wildlife campaigners, Georgienne Bradley and Jay Ireland of the Imaging Foundation will join NAI'A biologist Josh Jensen and videographer Liz Harlin to host a trip with a modest but crucial goal: to produce a comprehensive web campaign about protecting Tonga's whales - forever.
There is currently no dedicated website about Tonga's humpbacks. And very little information is published about the importance of them to the Tongan economy, ecology and culture, let alone their significance to the rest of the world. Few people realize that Tongan waters host this remarkable tribe of humpbacks during their mating and breeding season or that Tonga is one of the only places where people are free to swim alongside these massive mammals, looking them right in the eye. This expedition aims to change that.
Participants will contribute content for the site during the voyage, which will be uploaded immediately following the trip for free use by schools, conservation organizations, political groups and individual whale advocates. World Wide Fund for Nature director, Etika Rupeni, is keen to use this Internet resource to assist the WWF push towards the vital South Pacific Whale Sanctuary.
Of course you do not need to be a scientist, photographer, computer expert or writer to participate in this project. You simply need to be there to share your exhilaration and observations to assist our team in the building of the website. While no special skills are required, we will be thrilled to exploit any talents you may bring to the mix. All ideas and input will be most welcome. But our top priority is getting you up close and personal for the most intimate and exciting wildlife encounters of your life.
The Imaging Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt corporation under the United States Internal Revenue Service. It is not a private foundation. U.S. tax deductible expenses may include: live-aboard costs, airfare to Tonga, and trip cancellation insurance. AS WITH ALL TAX MATTERS, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PERSONAL TAX ADVISOR CONCERNING TAX DEDUCTIBILITY.
Need more information about this journey? Check out www.imagingfoundation.org Want to book or know more about NAI'A? Go to www.naia.com.fj or contact us directly at explore@naia.com.fj
Babywatch
A HUGE and heartfelt thank you from Rob and Cat to the hundreds of kind NAI'A folks on this list who sent warm welcoming messages to our first baby Malia when she was born last year. We very much valued your wishes. But after Malia's arrival, we not only experienced the usual first-time parents time warp, we also lost our hard drive and consequently the wonderful array of letters you sent. Malia is 14 months old now, a veteran of ocean splashing, but just getting on her feet now.
One beautiful new toy has proved so much fun that we're preparing now for our second bub, who surprised us a bit and is due this August! So, we're getting all the pregnancy and baby stuff finished as quickly as we can in the hope of soon being out at sea and under the water more often. We'd relish your baby name suggestions! Malia has stretched her sea legs aboard NAI'A a few times, her first expedition being among humpback whales in Tonga last year, and with "the boys" for some long decadent nights around the kava bowl.
National Geographic -- again
For the third time in 14 months, National Geographic Magazine has run a feature story about the ocean that was written and photographed largely from NAI'A. The May, '05 issue features a fantastic story called One Fish,Two Fish written by Les Kaufman and photographed by Tim Layman. Did you ever wonder why fish bother to get dressed up so extravagantly? Check it out for the answers...
Special Offer
Book now to WIN a FREE trip OR your money BACK!
Book now for one of the last remaining spaces on any NAI'A expedition scheduled between June 11 and October 22 this year and you'll automatically go into our draw to win a second trip completely free or claim a refund on your current booking!
Click Here to see our 2005 Schedule.
The odds in this lottery are ridiculously good as just 30 places are still available to be sold on excursions during this period. The draw is open ONLY to confirmed full-rate bookings received after May 8, 2005. Returning passengers are, of course, eligible! The winner will be drawn on October 22 and announced immediately. That winner will be entitled to a return one-week NAI'A expedition OR a refund on their previous booking to the value of one-week aboard NAI'A. Your choice! The total prize value is USD$2700.
If you think this sounds like an outrageous one-off opportunity, you'd be right! But we are keen to fill these upcoming charters with last minute bookings. Once you've tried Fiji diving from NAI'A, you'll be hooked. In the words of photographer/author, Stephen Frink:
"Delivering a live-aboard experience beyond expectations is what
NAI'A seems to do for a living. It has been too long since I cruised
aboard NAI'A. I now remember all I missed. See you again soon…for
sure."
(from Frink's Scuba Diving magazine online web log of
November 6-13, 2004)
-- By Rob Barrel for the NAI'A family
the 2005 Dive Shows
| May 21 - May 22 |
Scuba Show in Long Beach |
| Jun 04 - Jun 05 |
Sea Space in Houston |
| Oct 04 - Oct 07 |
DEMA in Las Vegas |
