Where did the 30 August go?

Serai
Jason and Emily Willis
Fri 31 Aug 2007 16:14
18:39.1S 173:59.1W

We left Niue at 0900 on Thursday 29th and had a day and night of good sailing but always in the shadow of black clouds and with a feeling of trepidation as to how much wind they were about to drop on us. It was also a very rainy 24 hours, seeing Ems and I huddled under the sprayhood in our damp oilies! Lovely! Day two brought blue skies later in the morning. I managed to get very sunburnt in the process, forgetting to put on any sunscreen! That night we sailed along at around 6 knots with a full moon and 3 foot seas. Perfect sailing weather. We arrived just off Vava'u at 0700 on Friday the 31st , and then were able to sail right up to the first green starboard mark at the entrance channel. This meant we sailed up through a handful of small tree covered islands and listened to the awakening birds singing their hearts out, without the accompaniment of Perky growling her little heart out from our boat! It was one of the best 24 hour sails we have had in a very long time, and by the time we pulled up at the customs dock, the world was certainly a better place!

The trip took us 48 hours in total, but we crossed the International Date Line which technically lies near Fiji, but has been bent to take in Tonga so that they are on the same time line as New Zealand, so we completely lost one day..the 30th August. It was sadly missed but there we go, Its gone now. Today, Saturday, is now the 1st of September, but for the rest if you is Saturday the 31st August. Amazing, if a little confusing!

The customs man turned up within 5 minutes, sat down and asked for a coffee and biscuits. I guess a little forward but at least he know what he wants! We obliged and then filled in all the relevant paperwork, whilst he helped himself to biscuits and read the books we had lying around in the cockpit! Next up, the man from fisheries and agriculture stopped by for more paperwork and more coffee. He informed us that we did not have any fresh food on board and then took a 29 dollar fee and left. A short wait and then the Health inspector also came by. he did not want coffee but asked for fruit juice..I can only assume this is why he is the health inspector! Anyway, we still dont know what he did or why he needed to come on board. He filled out another form, which said very little and then left too. Now we were free to leave the dock but had to report to immigration as soon as possible.

We took a mooring ball in the main anchorage - its a 100 feet deep here in the bay and met up with our friends on Silene, who delayed their departure when they heard we were on our way! We took a stroll into town whereupon Ems made it her mission to convert Serai into a fruit and veg stall, buying up all the vegetables and fruits she could lay her hands on! We cleared Immigration in town too, which involved filling in a very hefty form and a quick lesson on Tongan place names and spellings from the Immigration Officer! When I told him that his form was perhaps one of the most detailed I had ever filled in, he took great delight in informing me that it was created by an Englishman! Last night we dined at The Aquarium, ordering several plates of tapas which were gorgeous. We were supposed to be eating at the Mexican restaurant, but were put off by the seeming lack of any kitchen facilities, except one small microwave!

We'll write again soon with more news from our stay in Tonga. Till the next time, enjoy all the new pics we have posted!

Love

J and Ems xx