The days have whizzed by in Nuie and, all going well, we hope to leave for Vavau’s in Tonga tomorrow.   It would be easy to stay and enjoy more Nuiean hospitality, superb snorkelling and diving but the moorings are in an open roadstead and for the past two days it’s been very rolly.  So rolly that we hired a car for the weekend to escape – only coming back to Bandit to sleep.....and we may even end up back on the wharf sleeping in the car tonight if Bandit keeps rolling.   A south easterly system is pushing up a nasty swell and there is no shelter here.  Nothing to do but explore on land.

 

Yesterday morning we headed to a local village for their annual fair which was a festive occasion involving singing, dancing and competitions such as spear throwing and vegetable growing.  The entire island seems to be there judging by the empty villages we passed on the way.  In the afternoon we headed to Matavai Resort and David did a dive while I just sat by the pool at the resort and watched the whales playing just outside the reef – magic.  We’ve had whales in the anchorage most days – a mum and her baby.

 

Today we headed to the north of the island to the spectacular limestone caves and arches.  Nuie is so rugged and the walks are fantastic.  We’ve really enjoyed it and are delighted we opted to head to this little known spot.  Would highly recommend it as an adventure tourism destination for those who like diving, swimming with whales, walks to wild and remote spots....in fact we cannot understand why it’s so unpopulated when it comes to tourists.  But perhaps that is why it is so special