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Paw Paw - Log Day 242: A "Drive-by of the Vava'u Group"



Once Roy returned to Paw Paw after trying to help Nina with a few yacht gremlins this morning, we weighed anchor for our next anchorage off Vaka'eitu Island.

Unfortunately after worming our way around all the reefs and dangers to get there, we discovered that the anchorage was really crowded. We did try to shoehorn our way into the only available spot, but when we settled too close for comfort to the shoals with a reduced scope, we decided to leave. With the other two nearby anchorages off Lape and Nuapapu Islands being too exposed, we headed for Kapa Island.

Unfortunately we ran out of options there as well due to very precarious looking mooring balls and being a very deep anchorage. At that point we gave up and returned to Neiafu, where we'll stay until we leave for Fiji.

While we feel like we've done a "drive-by" of the Vava'u Group, the day was not a total loss, as we did see a group of whales breeching so many times we lost count. It was a fabulous sight, but we couldn't help wonder why so many were breeching so often, especially with a Whale Swimming Tour Boat following them closely.

Since four out of the five times that we've seen whales, we've also seen these tour boats pursuing them and, although we are no experts on the matter, we can't help but wonder whether or not this is another example of an industry exploiting Planet Earth for financial gain. In any event, we have decided not to contribute to the possibility and will, therefore, not be doing a Whale Swim. Instead, we're contented to have seen these magnificent creatures without the risk of having caused them any harm.

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