Welcome to our story about the Humpback Whales of Niue Island

July 18 - August 1, 2008, Joan will return to the beautiful, secluded island of Niue (New Way) Island to once again bring a small groups of people to meet with the peaceful mother whales and their precocious babies. To get there we fly to Auckland, NZ. It is a great opportunity to explore New Zealand, so you may want to allow extra time in your schedule.

 

In 2007 the groups that visited there with Joan, were deeply touched by this special island and the whales who choose to migrate there for birthing and mating. We were treated to moms and babies, escorts and friendly yearling whales. They allowed us to slide into the water and swim among them. The joy was so profound, tears fogged our mask as we floated on the surface of the warm water experiencing deep peace. There was no place we had to go, there was nothing we had to do …. just to BE there in the company of the whales, completely relaxed and in harmony. Within the gentle tropical breezes of Niue, we remember our True Nature. It is open, unlimited and loving.

In their wisdom, the whales feel our vibrations and know us so well. There are no secrets between us. They know who we are in our heart of hearts and they love the Light that shines within us. They are examples of unconditional acceptance and soul recognition.
The experiences with them, heal and bring comfort for the rest of the year.

On Niue Island we stay in a beautiful natural resort with pools, decks, lounging chairs overlooking the ocean where the whales and Spinner dolphins play, and delicious dinners of great variety and delicacy (vegetarian and fish for those who prefer.) Some of the food arrives from the best of New Zealand with wonderful cheeses, wines, homemade coconut breads and fresh ice cream Sundaes. All seminar meals are included.

This Whale Seminar is a very unique adventure that will bring you close to the whales where you can observe their behaviors and join them in the coastal waters to experience their Essence. It is a very powerful and life-changing experience. The adult whales are from 35 to 70 feet long (the longest one ever recorded being an 88 foot female). The females are the larger of the species among the Humpbacks. The opportunity to float near them and be part of their world is a touching and heart-opening event. In quietness and respect, we will listen deeply for their infrasonic messages. The whales have told me they send their wisdom to those who are ready to receive.

I encourage you to prepare for this trip by entering deep meditation or silence and asking the energy of the whales to be with you. When they see you are receptive, they will respond. Sometimes their messages enter your Dreamtime at night. You may want to record your dreams and take the time first thing in the morning to remember what you have experienced interdimensionally in sleep. Begin to keep a journal that you can bring with you to continue writing and drawing as you meet in person the Whales of Niue Island.

Our setting is idyllic, in keeping with the beauty of the whales. It is a pristine environment with crystal clear water and warm sunshine. You are able to breathe deeply here and relax completely. Everything you need is provided and so you are free to allow images, songs, creativity, dreams, hopes and new realities to enter your awareness and infuse your thoughts and plans for your future and that of the Earth.

Inspirational conversations and presentations will complement the times of invigorating swims, inner reflection and deep sleep. Experiencing the life of the whales, in contact with their wisdom and the ocean's, you will understand how to live your Joy.

Welcome to the World of the Humpback Whales. As you can tell, I love them very much. They have so much goodness to share with the world. I look forward to seeing you there, where we can dream and swim together.

With warm Aloha,
Joan

About Niue Island

Niue (pronounced "New-ay") is the South Pacific's best kept secret, a remote and tranquil island of great beauty, and home to some of the most spectacular dolphins and whales in the world. It is one of the very few places anywhere that offers an opportunity for close-up encounters with both dolphins and whales just minutes from the shore in warm, crystal-clear waters and only a handful of other visitors around.

Niue is a single island that takes about 3 hours to gently circle around. It is situated in the heart of Polynesia, about 3 hours direct flying time north of New Zealand.

Niue is unique in many ways. It is a raised coral platform, with high and dramatic cliffs plunging into the Pacific Ocean. Although it does have a few small beaches, it is really quite different from the typical South Sea atolls and islands with just sand and palm trees. Niue has extensive caves, colorful rock pools, dense and lush forests and - in the absence of any rivers - crystal clear warm waters surrounding the coastline.

Niue is a developed self-governing nation, maintaining a 'free association' with New Zealand, and has a tiny population of just under two thousand people, most of whom speak English as well as their native Niuean. All modern facilities are found on the island - a modern and comfortable hotel, school, shops, bank, hospital, power-generating station, port and government house - and yet the island offers a wonderful refuge from the stress and noise of everyday life elsewhere in the world. The pace of life is slow and relaxed, the weather very comfortable and the people extremely friendly. Crime is almost non-existent, sanitary conditions are excellent and communications with the outside world are reliable. In sum, Niue is a very special island nestled in the South Pacific where it really is possible to get away from it all - and to meet the cetaceans...

NIUE'S DOLPHINS AND WHALES

The Spinner Dolphins around Niue are some of the most acrobatic in the oceans! They get their names for the high leaps they make out of the water, sometimes spinning as much as 6 or 7 times before crashing exuberantly back into the waves. They spin along a vertical axis of their body, leaving the water nose-first, already spinning. Imagine their point of view as the world spins around them! This is the real thing: wild, natural and full of life!

Each year humpback whales can also be seen hugging Niue's dramatic coastline, making the long journey from the nutrient-rich waters of Antarctica, where they feed for several months during the Antarctic Summer. Swimming north to the warm and relatively sheltered waters of South Pacific islands, they rest, mate, give birth and rear their young. This is a time of great energy, playfulness and some spectacular displays of acrobatics that often includes full body breaches (jumping out of the water and splashing back down). When the conditions are right (i.e. if the whales seem receptive after an initial entry into the water, and there is no energetic mating behaviour in progress) then we shall enter the water to view the whales in their own environment. Entering the water in the presence of whales, often inquisitive juveniles who may swim over for a closer look, tends to evoke a feeling of deep gratitude and awe in people. The mood is relaxed and respectful. So few tourists ever visit this magical island that human impact on the whales is absolutely minimal, and in-water encounters only occur when the conditions are right and the whales are responsive to a small group of people in the water.

DETAILS ON TRIP PROGRAM

The total cost of each of the ONE-WEEK trips is $2650 based on double occupancy (single occupancy possible for a supplement).
Each weeklong trip includes:

· Seven full days and seven nights on the island with twin-share accommodation at the Matavai Resort
· 5 dedicated trips out to encounter the dolphins and whales.
· All wholesome, healthy meals in the hotel and other local eateries (lots of fresh fruits and fish are always available, in addition to a tasty selection of main dishes)
· Daily presentations & meditations by international dolphin/whale authorities Dr Jason Cressey & Joan Ocean.
· Guided tours around the island in addition to trips to the best coral sea-pools on the island, swimming with exotic, colorful, tropical fish.
· All island transportation and regular shuttle to commercial area.
· Optional daily yoga sessions led by Brett Wearne, an internationally experienced yoga teacher/physiotherapist, on the hotel deck, overlooking the dolphin and whales' favorite bay. The gentle yoga classes are for all levels.

The price does not include:
· International & domestic flights
· Accommodation/food before or after the tour (if you choose to stay in Niue before or after the trip)
· Drinks
· Travel Insurance and any local airport or entry/departure taxes
· Any gratuities

ACCOMMODATION: We will be staying at the beautiful tropical Matavai Hotel, with exceptional comfort, friendly service and great views of the ocean. The hotel is small, clean, well-maintained and wonderfully peaceful.

TRAVEL INFO:

PLEASE NOTE: When you are arranging your flight to New Zealand for traveling on to Niue, be sure that you leave sufficient extra time in your schedule in the event of delays in your flight plan. In fact it is recommended that you arrive in Auckland the day before the Niue flight leaves. Remember - flights to Niue from Auckland leave once per week. If you miss your flight, you will have to wait 7 days for the next!

If you are traveling a long distance, especially from Europe, it may be good to break your journey on the way out, and preferably in both directions. If possible, arrive in New Zealand one day ahead (on Thursday) of your Friday evening departure to Niue. Auckland is a pretty, comfortable and pleasant city to catch your breath before traveling on to Niue.

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (strongly recommended)

OTHER USEFUL TRAVEL INFORMATION

Passports & Visas:
Every traveler to Niue must have a valid passport but visitors do not require visas. Visitor permits (maximum 30 days) are issued upon arrival at Niue's airport. Even though you do not require a visa to enter Niue, you may need a visa to travel to (or through) New Zealand. Holders of valid United States passport may visit New Zealand for up to (90) days or 3 months without a visa provided they have a passport valid for three months beyond the date they are leaving NZ. Check with a travel agent or the Consular websites for the countries you intend to pass through/visit en route.

Climate and Weather Conditions: The climate in Niue is pleasantly warm. Air and water temperatures in August vary between 25ºC and 30ºC (77ºF - 86ºF)…very pleasant! While rain can appear any time, showers are often brief and intense. Ambient August water temperatures range from 24° to 29° (75ºF - 84ºF)…, which is warmer than most people have ever encountered for the ocean.

Departure Tax: Most Pacific countries now have departure taxes, payable at the airport when you leave the country. These taxes are only payable in cash, not credit card or traveler's checks. For Niue, the departure tax is currently NZ$30. Please bear this in mind for when you leave Niue, and also check in advance the departure tax for any other countries you may be visiting in the region (New Zealand's is NZ$25).

Telecommunications: Should you need to, it is easy to send/receive a fax or place a phone call from Niue to any country. There is a free internet café in Niue, though it can sometimes prove quite busy, and is a 45 minute walk from the resort (or a 10-minute cycle ride if you borrow one of the hotel's free bikes).

Language: All Niueans speak English, heavily influenced by New Zealand. Their first language is Niuean, which is a hybrid Polynesian dialect of Tongan, Samoan and Maori. Dictionaries and language guides are available for sale on the island.

~ Founder of P.O.D.
People - Ocean - Dolphins

The first time I saw a dolphin was in a terrible place called Marineland, long since closed, in my native Yorkshire, UK. I remember watching these dolphins towing children around a concrete pool in an inflatable boat. I was even invited to participate, but (as a 6 year old I was shy) there was something inside me which made me feel so very sad and angry to see the dolphins imprisoned in this lifeless pool that I defiantly refused. Dolphins and whales belong in one place and one place only - the ocean.

It was to be many years until I saw another dolphin, though the image of that day stayed firmly with me. When, after a series of coincidences, I found myself in a wonderful place called Monkey Mia, Western Australia, in late 1993 I had the immense privilege to look a wild Bottlenose dolphin in the eye. This dolphin (now, sadly, no longer with us) was called 'Holey Fin', and those few seconds (or was it minutes?) of her looking into my eyes changed my life. She not only looked at me, she looked into me - and accepted everything unconditionally.

At that time I was finishing a rigorously scientific PhD in psychology at Oxford University in Britain. I am grateful for the objective, scientific approach this gave me - yet I made a very conscious decision when the PhD was completed that I would not dedicate my life to worshiping at the altar of science. There are simply some things that can't, maybe shouldn't, be explained...and, for me, dolphins and whales provide a wonderful combination of the mystical and the scientifically astonishing (well, who else can hold their breath for 2 hours, or weigh as much as 2000 people? And we know their brains are enormous, but we have no idea why!). In other words, these wonderful, graceful, gentle beings satisfy and stimulate both the left brain and right brain, and much more besides...

Being with dolphins and whales elicits tremendous joy in people - and, personally, I don't feel the need to try and completely explain that or use technical equipment to prove anything. Everyone needs a little magic in their lives, and if dolphins and whales instill that magic in a person - be it through video, the internet, meditation or a physical encounter - that's wonderful. As long as we see dolphins and whales as sentient, living beings with whom we share this planet, and not as gods or oceanic 'teddy bears' to whom we bestow all the responsibility that we should each assume ourselves for our own lives, we have much to learn about and from them.

I have learned much in the company of whales and dolphins and - above all - I feel deeply privileged that a lot of study, energy, dedication and support from the dearest people in my life allows me to do something I honestly love. I am able to share my passion and enthusiasm through lectures, workshops, written and spoken words and, in particular, arranging and leading trips for people to encounter their own little piece of magic. It involves a certain degree of 'glamour', yes, but also entails a lot of hard work, organizational headaches, business administration and tremendous resourcefulness - but I wouldn't want to be doing anything else, nor living anywhere other than my beloved Canada. Each day I try to follow perhaps the simplest abiding principle that dolphins and whales have inspired in me, and which is sound advice for anyone wishing to follow their passion and realize their dreams...

Contact information for Jason: canadaorca@hotmail.com

About Joan Ocean, M.S. Shaman & Scientist

The founder of Dolphin Connection International, Joan Ocean is a researcher and world-renowned speaker on the subject of free-swimming dolphins and whales. An author and video producer, Joan's internationally acclaimed books have been published in more than five languages. Dolphin Connection: Interdimensional Ways of Living and Dolphins Into The Future.

For the past twenty years she has traveled to oceans and rivers around the world to visit with many species of dolphins and whales. In 1988 she initiated her present on-going relationship with more than 200 Spinner dolphins in Hawaii and with the Humpback whales of the Caribbean, an endangered species with profound wisdom to share with the human race.

Studying cetaceans through respectful interactions with them in their natural habitat, Joan has been welcomed into their pods. She experiences their sonar and sound frequencies as acoustic images and reverberating tones, which heal and expand human potentials. These sound frequencies, interact with the intelligence in the cells of our bodies and activate our inner wisdom. Contact with dolphins and whales brings us into the Dreamtime where we experience an expanded state of consciousness.

Regarded as an authority on the subject of Dolphin Tel-Empathic Communication, Ms Ocean has developed the methodologies for her work, entitled 'Participatory Research,' in which human and cetacean species are merging their resonant frequencies, activating latent qualities of the mind in all the cells of our bodies, and exploring multiple domains together. Swimming each day among the pods, she enters Dolphin Consciousness, which is an active, relaxed, deeply meditative state. In that state of hyper awareness, she phase shifts with the dolphins and whales into other realities that exist around and within us.

With a Master of Science degree in Psychology, Joan is a shaman and scientist who creates environments that support people in transition from one lifestyle, one dimension and one physical form to another. She understands that dolphins and whales, living unlimited lives in the ocean, immersed in the noetic codes, with brains more complex than the human brain are the teachers in these human-cetacean interactions.

joan@joanocean.com

Dolphin Connection
PO Box 102
Captain Cook, HAWAII 96704
808-323-8000

GETTING THERE

GETTING TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC

From North America, the best ways to get to the South Pacific are from the western gateways of Vancouver, San Francisco or Los Angeles. From Vancouver, you can fly to Hawai'i, and on to Sydney and Auckland from there. From San Francisco, there are direct daily flights to Auckland. From Los Angeles, there are direct flights to Sydney and Auckland (with Air New Zealand).

From Europe, you have a choice of either going through North America (using Los Angeles as your springboard into the South Pacific) or through Australia/New Zealand (flying there via Asia, with a connection in Singapore or Bangkok, for example). You may find that there is little difference in the price between a round trip fare to Auckland compared with a round-the-world ticket that takes you to the South Pacific via North America, and brings you back via Asia (or vice-versa).

From Australia and New Zealand…you're already there!

GETTING TO NIUE FROM AUCKLAND

There are weekly flights from Auckland, New Zealand, direct to Niue on Air New Zealand. The exact trip dates (based on NZ dates, one day ahead of Niue due to international dateline) are as follows:

Week 1: July 18 - 25
Week 2: July 25 - August 1

These dates are based on Air New Zealand's schedule for August 2008, confirmed as of October 2007. Note that this flight from Auckland arrives in Niue one day earlier than it sets off. Sounds impossible? It's not! Rather, it's because of the International Dateline - New Zealand lies to the west of the dateline, Niue lies to the east of it. Even though they are quite close (just a 3-hour flight) they are also a day apart! The return from Niue to New Zealand, therefore, arrives about three hours after take-off but it is the next day because you cross the dateline again.

Air New Zealand Boeing 737-300 flying from Auckland to Niue

Very Important: Based on the information from Air New Zealand as of October 10th, 2007, the following flights are the ones you should book if you are planning a simple round-trip to Niue from Auckland.

Week 1 OUTBOUND
Depart Auckland on Friday evening, July 18, 2008 at 10:05 pm on NZ 0074
Arrive Niue at 02:40 am, much earlier the same day (due to dateline crossing)

RETURN
Depart Niue on Friday, July 25 at 03:40am on NZ 0075
Arrive Auckland at 06:30 am, one day later (dateline change) - Saturday July 26th.

Week 2 OUTBOUND
Depart Auckland on Friday evening, July 25th at 10:05 pm on NZ 0074
Arrive Niue at 02:40 am, much earlier the same day (due to dateline crossing)

RETURN
Depart Niue on Friday, August 1, 2008 at 03:40am on NZ 0075
Arrive Auckland at 06:30 am, one day later (dateline change) - Saturday, August 2nd.

HOW TO REGISTER

Places are limited and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. A non-refundable deposit of US$500 per person and a signed liability waiver will secure your place. Upon receipt of your deposit, you will be sent a complete packet of information including, liability waivers, suggestions on what to bring, latest information on whales and dolphins, etc.

Payment options: You may make your payments by credit card (Visa or Master), check, money order, or bank transfer.

1) For payment by credit card: Call or fax the Dolphin Connection office at 808-323-8000
or email them at: joan@joanocean.com

2) For payment by check or money order: Make checks in US$ from US banks payable to Dolphin Connection and mail to:

Dolphin Connection - Joan Ocean
PO Box 102
Captain Cook, HI 96704 - USA

tel: 808 328 8000
__________________________________________

3) If you want to pay with a foreign check, please email Dr. Cressey first at canadaorca@hotmail.com. , to check on exchange rates. Checks in non-U.S. currencies will be payable to "Dr. Jason Cressey - The POD".

4) For payment by bank transfer: Please email Dr. Jason Cressey for instructions at: canadaorca@hotmail.com