North Minerva Reef and Leaving for Tonga
Harmonie
Don and Anne Myers
Sun 10 May 2009 23:45
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23:37.979S 178:55.600W
We stayed two nights in the lagoon of South Minerva
Reef where high winds made the second day and night fairly bouncy and
rolly. The conditions didn't stop Storyteller from negotiating with a
dinghy full of Tongan fisherman for lobster. Two big Tongan fishing boats
were in the lagoon with us - they come to the reef every month when the moon is
full to collect crayfish or warm water lobsters as we would call
them. The deal negotiated resulted in seven lobsters and a big parrot
fish in exchange for a bottle of rum, five cans of Coke and two packages of
chocolate cookies. As the Kiwis would say, not too bad.
Crews from Storyteller and Lady Kay congregated on
Harmonie that night and demolished the lobsters (picture to follow when we reach
Tonga and the internet). The next morning all that was left in our cockpit
were bits and pieces of lobster shell and guts along with that distinctive fish
market smell. After a good hose-down, all was well.
Sunday (5/10) we motored (no wind) 26 miles north
to the North Minerva Reef, which is where we are now. This spot is very
similar to its southern cousin - just a lagoon surrounded by reef with no
land. We were hoping for good snorkeling in the south and north reefs, but
the conditions were and are too rough for safe snorkeling. No worries
- we'll have plenty of time for such endeavors in the near future.
We plan to leave North Minerva Reef this afternoon
(Monday, 5/11) and sail the remaining 270 miles to Tonga. The weather
looks good and after sailing nearly 800 miles to get where we are now, an
additional 270 doesn't seem like much. We should arrive in Tonga Wednesday
morning.
Anne
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