Leaving Tonga for Fiji. Friday 5 Sep 14

Tashi Delek
Mike & Carol Kefford
Fri 5 Sep 2014 05:31

Sadly leaving Tonga meant saying goodbye to David, Kate, Jasper, Sam and Archie on Elena who will be going to New Zealand direct from Tonga in a few weeks time.  Hopefully we will see them when we are all back in UK because we have really enjoyed knowing them whenever our paths crossed.

 

This is how we will remember them, huge smiles and at least one child up in the rigging….!

 

 

On our way out through the islands we passed what looked like the local equivalent of the night bus to Kathmandu with passengers in side, on the roof and all point in between.  We were not close enough to see if there were goats and chickens on board as well.

 

 

 

First job, get the new fishing rig ready...

 

 

 

Next job, land the fish that latched on within a few hours…..

 

 

 

Another Mahi Mahi and much bigger than our first one.  We towed it while we sorted ourselves out, hopefully tiring it out in the process, then hauled it in – much, much easier when it is cord you are pulling rather than fishing line.

 

We got it on board easily enough with a big pull and a swing then wet towel over the head and it calmed down immediately so that was promising.  Then we had a terrible time trying to kill it and we felt terrible about that so will seek more advice.

 

By this time we were well out to sea and it was all a bit rolly so no fun at all for Mike and Hugh filleting it and washing the deck.  We landed it just as supper had started to cook so we had to wait for the next day to eat it but it was delicious and kept us well fed for the rest of the trip.