17:11.0S 179:00.0W More Tonga then onto Vanua Balavu in Fiji

Babe!
Paul & Trish Ducker
Thu 13 Jun 2013 06:03

Hi Folks,

 

So to continue with the adventure and what has become our love affair with Tonga, after a few days in Neiafu we decided to explore the outlying islands of the Vavau group and associated local villages and sights…

 

First stop was Swallows cave – sea caves out in the rugged landscape it was a case of leaving Nelius outside looking after Babe whilst Trish and went in on the Tender – she was not a happy girl – not only being in a tender in swelly sea’s but also going into a confined dark damp space, with bats(man eating ones hehe)! At the back of the cave you can climb onto a shelf, which apparently used to be where the local tribal chiefs have their banquets – didn’t see any skeletal remains though! Eventually Trish settled down and all was well, she even went back with Nelius – well done Tish ( only cause I didn’t want to be on the boat on my own, what a wimp) I clever,  x

 

Decided to anchor up for the evening in a bay nearby, nestled between a small village and the most beautiful little white sanded island with the most amazing turquoise waters – just had to attach a photo! Tish & I went for a stroll on the beach of the island, which actually had a small lived–in shack on it, although no one was home. Then a bit of a snorkel - Really is the stuff postcards are made of!

 

Next day across the bay to an Oyster gathering on another barely inhabited island (Tapana). This time the locals have arranged a beachside feast and entertainment, which was a full-on warrior dance and lady fertility session, followed by a daring fire eater, who almost put his flame stick thingy in my mouth (OK I hear what you’re thinking, but I wasn’t mouthing off much that night!!). Great party atmosphere and much drink, ending up in the normal dancing (even got told I was the best dancer there by a local woman – wow, she’d probably been on the Kava!).

 

Next day off to Matamaka, another local island with associated village. Almost ran into a reef on the way in: 15m, 5m, 2m – slam her into reverse, 1m, 0m, stopped – wow just short of the reef!! (no comments please J), swift reverse and go around to anchor. Onto the shore later and a really NICE village in the most rural sense of the word – no roads, no cars, just little grass tracks between the ‘houses’. Met a few locals, including a bunch of kids and Dominica, a local woman with family who invited us into her house for a Tongan feast supper – decided in the end to decline, but such a warm person. Kids singing ‘Hello Hello its lovely to meet you’ at the tops of their voices (love Tonga) strolling hand in hand (it does happen occasionally  guys) we heard singing form the small church, stopped and put the video on for the sound, then heard a sound not as sweet as the singing and turn to see a very large sow (female pig) pig running down the path towards us making the worse sound ever (well maybe not …….) followed by her piglets as fast as their little legs would carry them, we moved fairly quickly, next sound dogs barking and growling piglets squealing like mad turned to see something out of Tom & Jerry, dogs chasing piglets round & round a tree then round some huts (Mum nowhere to be seen). We hot footed back to the boat didn’t fancy seeing any more (imagination can take over here) although didn’t get very far as peace was restored as in Tom and Jerry all became friends again until the next daft tourists turn up for a romantic stroll.  Ended up with an evening bbq on Dream Come True them having finally sorted their gas bottle connection, after a nice Sun-downer on Yantina or 5. Brilliant night as always but no early night was had that night.

 

Final island hopping day was up to a small bay (Foelififuka – maybe pronounced ‘For-lippy- fu*ker’, which clearly isn’t appropriate) in the far east of the Vavau group of islands. Difficult entry navigating around reefs by eye sight, (as the seas were not being that nice to us, think we may have upset the Gods) to anchor in another beautiful spot with a great beach. Took it in turns to go to the beach due to the conditions, (Nelius stayed first then Trish swapped) So had an explore found plenty of Coral + loads of hermit and other species of crab – collected 4 of them and had a crab race – Mr skinny legs won! Afternoon spent snorkelling between the two island (the one above + its neighbour – Foeata) – not a great deal to see, coral badly damaged and a few fish, although Nelius spotted a seahorse. Evening on Pearl of Persia with a bottle of Champagne celebrating the birth of new Grandson, Rafferty – welcomed into the world with many a similar occasion and associated bottles! Fantastic lamb! Nelius still on Babe anchor watching. Brought him bag a doggy bag of Andrews Lamb roast dinner (made his night). Later weather started kicking-up – book advised that anchorage was for daytime only, but seamed OK in the day, which I guess is what the book said! Come 2am swell of 1-2m and winds changing! Come 3am all on deck in pitch black of night with torches watching out for the reefs which are all around – O what to do – try to leave and follow our inwards track, knowing there’s only 10m clearance or sweat it out? Eventually decided to do that later with us all staying up ready to go if needs be. Come 5am and wind changed round further and anchor starts dragging – fortunately in the same direction that we entered into the place – waiting for first light (6:30am) seemed like ages, but as soon as it was light enough off we went, going back to the town of Neiafu for fuel-up and check-out. Hotly followed By Pearl Of Persia.

 

So arrived back in Neiafu mid-morning on Friday and rafted up with a few other Oysters awaiting for arrival of the fuel tank - two sets of three + Lush rafted next to Motor yacht Tivoli who was also in (moored next to them in Antigua, so good banter with Trevor). Fuel sorted next stop mooring bouy. So Friday night is party night, esp as its our last night in Tonga, so after a few hours of kip went out, starting with a group meal at Mango’s with many of the other Oyster folk (x24)– had already checked it out and had a few bottles of ‘Villa Maria’ there (wine of the gods), so really looking forward – half way thought the meal, ran out of Chicken, then ran out of Rice and to top it all ran out of Villa Maria - if it wasn’t J for the waitresses (Luara, Heree and Sanai) would have been disappointing J. This island has a season from July – Oct due to the Whales, the rest of the time they have peace & quite, not sure they were really prepared for the Oyster World Rally + the Sail committee Rally all descending on them at the same time!

 

Night over not quite!!! There’s got to be a nightclub surely. The owner’s wife said there was, the owner kindly said he would take us, the girls went first, the guys were to follow. Four of us girls arrived with the thought ‘erm not sure about this’, paid our money & in we went, taken straight to a table ordered our wine & hit the dance floor, couple of dances later still no sign of the guys or our drinks. Sat & waited drinks turned up just followed by the guys, Paul bounced in & hit the dance floor like a mad men the locals loved it and proceeded to try and out dance him, 30mins later ‘we’re closing now you all need to go’ drinks removed and everyone ushered out. Once outside no ideas of which way to go, no but the police 4x4 will know, ask the question which way to the sea (down the hill) can we have a lift (yes get in) so two settled very nicely in the back of the police 4x4 and the rest walking slowly down the hill with a police escort behind us we all arrived safely back on board all are yachts for our last night in Tonga. Paul – what Trish didn’t say was that I saw her lift leave and thought that I’d missed it so running across the café and pole-axed myself right across the jaw – knocked me to the ground with a flipping fat lip – no worries got up dusted myself down and then got the next ride to the Disco. At the disco it was a little like a tribal affair, with different gangs of lads (and ladyboys) all sussing etc other out – most amusing! (had already got to know a couple of the ladyboys the night before, very loving!).

 

Next morning after the skippers briefing and a farewell from all in Tonga (the group from the Botanical gardens turned up with cake), a walk around the market, late breakfast at the Aquarium Café (due to it raining pigs & dogs) J we said a fond goodbye to Tonga and set sail for Fiji to a group of islands with no shops/restaurants/nightclubs or banks(BLISS) called the Lau Islands (off track from the tourist islands – apparently it took year to persuade the government to allow the OWR to check in at Vanua Balavu, the main island of the group, which is where we were headed.

 

The People of Tonga are lovely, warm and very welcoming. Thank You we had the best time.

 

Lots of Luv,

Paul & Trish

 

a)      Piccy of the Swallows cave

b)      Paradise anchorage

c)       Panoramic shot of anchorage

d)      Local virgins maybe?

e)      Party Time on Tapiana

f)       Village locals at Tapiana evening

g)      Fire eating for dinner

h)      OK which crew can’t handle their drink

i)        Local village kids in Matamaka

j)        Dominica and family in Matamaka

k)      Beware of the Coral heads

l)        Must be an island romance

m)    Gospel singers in Neiafu

n)      Galley boy

o)      Time for a swim

p)      Nelius with his bird

q)      Locals in Vanau Balavu, Fiji

r)       Fijian village dancing

s)       Exactly what sort of tool is that?

t)       Amalie and Analucia – no not a dance

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