Fai Tira Blog Saturday 3rd July

Tonga 18:58.82S 173:58.88W

 

 

We set off from the fantastic Island of Niue with a fairly nice breeze but this soon decreased and we ended up motor sailing again! Our journey duration was to be about two days including two over nighters.  This passage took us across the International date line.  As you cross this you effectively loose 23 hours. This line is invisible so we had to make one with some dates we had on board. Whilst motoring we were catching up with Lucy Alice who had gearbox trouble and consequently no engine power.  As we approached the top of the Island of Vavau the wind dropped even more so we offered to tow them in..

 

 

Ian and Glenda taking up the tow.

We had to tow them for three hours but made it in to Vavau in time to clear customs.

 

 

Tonga is made up of hundreds of islands, Vavau being one of the most northern.  There is a large expatriate population here on the island and they couldn’t be more helpful to us yachties. The locals are also friendly that’s why captain cook names these islands the “friendly islands”

 

 

The welcome party had the traditional Polynesian dancing and lots of lovely food.

 

 

Tuesday saw the fleet sail/motor round to Ano beach for a Polynesian feast.  The sailing area is a bit like the Greek Ionian area with lots of depth and flat seas.  Miss Tippy and Chsalonina (Chisel)

 

 

When we arrived we all set about putting anything but sails on our dinghies for the first BWR dingy race.  Jackami won by miles and we came third with our massive heavyweight tarpaulin.

 

 

Sheila from the Tippy team was a bit angry that they hadn’t won!!  But not really it was the fact I had just doused her with water.

 

 

 

John got his food first being the only veggie at the party.

The entertainment great with young Polynesian girls and boys performing traditional Tongan dances. The feast was served up in an authentic style and tasted fabulous.

You can see it presented beautifully on the table behind the performers.

 

 

Wednesday saw us heading off to Mariners cave for a dive.  We checked out this small gap between the islands on our way to the most beautiful beach in Tonga.

 

 

Apparently this beach is where Prince Charles once had his Polynesian feast.  We were there to celebrate Charlie’s (the young lady from Miss Tippy)  thirteenth birthday.  Her favourite colour is pink so everybody dressed in that colour. Unfortunately John had to go to hospital to get his hand sorted out after the urchin incident so he missed all of the festivities.

 

 

This is Brian, Charlie’s dad celebrating the fact his eldest daughter is now a teenager.  Here is Charlie about to cut the numerous cakes she had been given.

 

 

Popcorn for everyone.  Charlie with the Jackami crew and Peter from Peregina.  The bunch in the water are the Natibous.  They have their family here from Sweden.

 

More from John later.  We leave for Fiji today and will be at sea for five days.