We spent a month around Vavau, relaxing and enjoying lovely anchorages, catching up with friends, and watching rugby games when we were in town. Boats heading to New Zealand are gathering and waiting weather windows to head south.

 

Suckling pig on the move, yum yum.

 

 

The post office and inland revenue building.

 

 

View over the harbour from Mt Talau. A lovely walk..... and steep climb.

 

 

 

 

Birthday party on Steel Sapphire for Lynn

 

 

 

 

 

Picking up the anchor with a chunk of coral embedded.

 

 

We swam Inside Swallows cave. The colours were amazing

 

 

 

Village on one of the outer islands.

 

 

Fisherman's camp.

 

 

The little houseboat "Ark Gallery" is where a couple of Americans have lived for many years...they were there

when we holidayed here 11 years ago.

 

 

 

Bright blue starfish are common.....

 

 

.......and even the crabs are blue.

 

 

Friday night race on the harbour.

 

 

Meeting David at the airport. He has flown in and will crew for us to NZ.

 

 

A Tongan lady flying out gave Sandra her farewall lei.

 

 

David arrives by DC3, a rare treat these days. Over 30,000 DC3s were built between 1935 and 1945,

but there wouldn't be too many  still flying.

 

 

 

 

Back to town in our rather decrepit taxi.

 

 

Leaving Neiafu for a few days in the outer islands.

 

 

One of the many beautiful anchorages....

 

 

...where we had an evening bonfire....

 

 

...with the children cooking bread on a stick.

 

 

Checking the rig before our expected departure on October 24.