Date                Up to 1645 (UTC -11) Saturday 24 May 2014

Once we had got over the rolly anchorage Niue was really great. We took a half day tour which showed us some great places to go and then hired a car for two days to see the rest of the island.  There were parties at the New Zealand High Commissioner’s residence, a song and dance evening and some great meals ashore.  The photographs show some of the highlights.

The anchorage with Caduceus in the middle distance – open to the west

Getting ashore involved hauling the dinghy up on the hook of a self-help electric crane.  A little familiarity with the method made it much easier

The island is solid limestone.  The result is that there are wonderful caves to explore

This cleft in the cliffs was a great snorkelling spot with a curious mix of fresh and salt water

Talava Arches are a great attraction, especially at low water when you can walk over the reef

Proof that the Mate does not have fallen arches

A close up of the reef at low water.  The colours and contrasts are beautiful

And then there was the climb back up to the surface via a cave system

All of the villages seemed to have a large church and hall, Pastors house and a village green

with a cricket pitch.  This young mum is starting her children early on cricket which is played with a three sided bat more akin to a war club

A scene of domestic bliss?  The pig was on its way to remind the lady of the house that it was feeding time

Probably Niue’s most famous site, Togo Chasm.  A sunken oasis just back from the sea, accessed by a near vertical ladder and filled with fine sand and palm trees

The home of the Niue Yacht Club which claims to be the smallest yacht club in the world and home to the World Arc Rally during our stay.

Ira, who with her husband Brian run the Club on a day to day basis, being presented with some Royal Harwich toffees as a thank you.  The remnants of our latest RHYC burgee is in the background.  Who will be the next member to visit?

Keith, the Club Commodore showing off his Ocean Cruising Club Port Officer’s flag

A very fine feral chicken.  They are found roaming wild all over the island and must have a great capacity for self-survival.  The local population find them very useful as they feed on giant centipedes which can inflict a nasty bite are a problem in houses in the rainy season