Tonga Arrival and Tonga Feast

Oyster Moon
Paul Foskett & Rhu Nash
Tue 26 Jun 2012 02:06

Position 18 39.44S  173 38.97W

Passage To Tonga

Left Niue on 23rd June at about noon.  The swell increased through the previous evening and we had spent a very uncomfortable night on mooring buoy.  Were going to leave on the 24th but decided that might as well be uncomfortable at sea and going somewhere rather than saying static.  Very uncomfortable passage to Tonga, lot of swell, and also a lot of wind from stern which meant rolled more than normal. 

 

Tonga 25th June

Arrived in Tonga at about 0700 and tied up to wharf to await arrival of customs, immigration and health officials. All completed within a couple of hours.  Had to get money out of cash point to pay customs etc.  In order to get to bank,passed through market where they had eggs!  We have no eggs since Tahiti , so bought a dozen and had scrambled eggs for breakfast.  Rivetingly interesting I know.  We left quay and have tied up to a mooring buoy belonging to Beluga Diving in Neifu harbour (Vava’u,Tonga).  I have refused to move from this buoy for at least a week!!  Fekla,Whiskers, Inca and Impiana are also here. Camelot and Marita III also here which was a nice if short-lived surprise as they left in the afternoon to go to another anchorage overnight.  However, told us about a Tongan feast (pig roast – hurrah) so we will met up with them tomorrow. 

 

26th June Tongan Feast

Great night sleep – flat calm.  This is supposed to be one of the best anchorages in the Pacific and the buoys are supposed to be OK in cyclones – not that I want to try that.  Wandered around town of Neifu which is very small.  Lots of Australians and New Zealanders here plus numerous other nationalities running small businesses.  Lots of restaurants but not many people to eat in them!  Town has seen better days. People are delightful.  Took taxi (driver Primrose) to feast and back.

 Keith and I arrive at feast.

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Keith gets a lei..

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and so do I...

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All of us suitably anointed

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