Niue - A hidden gem!
Jackamy
Paul & Derry Harper
Mon 21 Jun 2010 02:18
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Monday 21st June
We all went ashore at 10:00 to check in with
the customs officials who were opening up especially for us but when we got
ashore we discovered a dinghy dock different to any other dock we've seen
before. Our dinghy had to be lifted out of the water with a crane! It was all
new and exciting and the Commodore of Niue Yacht Club and a gentleman
called Ernie were there to greet and assist.
 The crane
 The dinghy is lifted out of the
water, then placed onto a trolley and wheeled to the dinghy car
park!
While Paul checked in Amy
and myself were driven along Alofi's (Niue's capital) town front and
given a guided tour by the Commodore. It was fantastic to recieve such a warm
welcome and be treated so well but I guess they rely on tourism and they need to
provide a service.
Once checked in we ventured a few
hundred yards down the road to the yacht club which interestingly has more
members than there are people who live here. You can become a member for NZ$20
so I think it may have to be one of those things that just has to be done. The
yacht club was destroyed in 2004 by the cyclone so they now rent a room from a
little bistro who sell superb ice-cream! Whilst at the yacht club Keith, the
Commodore ventured up to the car hire place and arranged two cars for us. A lady
came and picked Paul and Mark up to go and collect the cars. They wrote their
name and boat name on a piece of paper, signed it and that was it the car was
theirs, no licences, nothing! Amazing! We've got a tab running at the bistro and
the Commodore has given us each a slip of paper that we can show to any shops,
restaurants etc stating that he guarantees our payment until the bank opens. The
generosity and trust is fantastic, it's nice to know places like this and people
like them still exist!
 Once the men returned with
the car we set off for a little drive to find Washaway Cafe to check it out as
it was the Chief of Police's birthday and there were some celebrations on the
evening. On the way down we stopped at Ana'ana Point, a good view point where
the spray from the waves can be an impressive sight.
 A beautiful stretch of
coastline
 Don't go too
close!
 You can just about see a
rainbow in the spray of the water to the left of Paul. It was difficult to catch
the moment!
From here we ventured through
Tamakautoga Village, whilst driving past the houses the locals would wave at us,
so friendly! We parked up and walked down to the Togulu Sea Track to a beautiful
little beach, actually it was more of a cove.
 A steep path leading to this
gem!
 Following the leader out to the
reef
 Unfortunately we didn't have
our swim stuff to swim in to the crystal clear pools
We made it to Washaway Cafe in
time to have a spot of lunch. Two girls rustled up a couple of burgers whilst
Mark served us our drinks at the self-serve bar. They trust you to tell them
what you've had, again it's fantastic, I can't get over this place.
 The cafe and view onto a
beach
 Mark the barman!
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