An overnight sail brought us to the island of Lifuka passing over the very spot where the Mutiny on the Bounty occured. We spent five days cruising in company with Sirena of Oare and Flour Girl. Lovely deserted anchorages, fantastic snorkelling with the most incredible coral colours you can imagine; pity my underwater camera has decided to refuse to work underwater. At one stage we pass over the Tongan Trench, the second deepest water in the world - 10,200 metres.

 

Wending our way gently south we finally end up in the capital of Tonga, Nuku'alofa and home to the King who apparently was not expecting me to call! But we anchor more than a mile from the city off the resort known as Big Mama's. And Mama is not just huge but also a great hostess along with husband Earle.

 

Susie who comes from a racing background is learning about cruising shorthanded. Naturally she makes mistakes but responds well to frequent floggings. I have put her in charge of provisioning and the menu plan as we get ready for the trip to New Zealand. My destination now is Whangarei having missed the series of lectures scheduled in Opua. It is great to just stay on somewhere when you like a place. Time and timetables are no longer an issue for Anthony...