Tonga - Ha'api
Questionable Logic
Ewan Briggs
Wed 12 Aug 2009 06:30
Position: 19:50.89S
174:24.76W
Kirsten and Mark
arrived yesterday morning. Great to have them onboard again - it's been a while
and a few miles!
Keen to get out of
Nuku Alofa and explore some of Tonga's cruising spots we filled up with water
and food and set off north for the overnight trip up to the Ha'api
group.
Tonga has been
rocked recently by a ferry disaster in which the best part of 100 people lost
their lives near the Ha'api group. A combination of waves and poor weight
distribution apparently. The weather here has been pretty strong easterlies
(20-25kts), lots of cloud and the occasional shower - feels like
europe!
So we had a pretty
punchy overnight sail, small jib and a fully reefed main. Something of a baptism
by fire for Mark and Kirsten only a few hours after they arrived - but it's been
worth it. We've anchored in a stunning spot in a big bay which we're sharing
with two other yachts. We're nicely sheltered behind the island, so whilst it is
still windy it's pretty quiet.
The plan is to spend
a couple of nights here and then head across to
Fiji.