19.03S 169.55W Niue 20th September 2011
Mojo 2
Andrew Partington
Wed 21 Sep 2011 04:46
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This afternoon we are sitting on the boat after
taking a swim in the crystal clear waters of Niue. We arrived here at 11am this
morning after another night of variable winds trying to get here. The
mooring is in 16 metres of water and we can see every detail on the bottom. The
visibility underwater around this island is over 200 feet due to all
the rainwater having to pass through an island composed completely of
coral limestone, which acts as a sieve for any sediment. We are about 100 metres
from the township of Alofi and are heading tonight for dinner at one of the
local restaurants and the "show" that follows.
Last night we had good wind from the east to push
us along. Just 26NM from here the wind died completely so it was back to
motoring. Approaching the island from the north-east it looked for all the world
as though someone had built a massive airstrip in the middle of the Pacific and
then decided to raise it 100 metres above sea level, very long, very
flat!! The locals call this place the "Rock"
After clearing immigration and customs we headed to
the very helpful Niue Yacht Club, an organisation set up just for the purpose of
assisting people cruising these waters. Ira at the yacht club booked us two
motorbikes for the morning to explore the island and answered dozens of
questions about the island and the services available here. In fact
everyone we have met has been enthusiastic about welcoming us to the island and
gone out of their way to help us.
Tomorrow we will explore the island and consider
whether to head out for Tonga tomorrow afternoon. The issue is that things are
not looking so good as far as wind goes for the next few days. Very light wind
or no wind. 250NM to Tonga is a long way to motor and we have already
used half our fuel. At $2.50 per litre we will not be buying any
here.
We are feeling this afternoon as though we must
smell bad as when we arrived there were eight yachts moored here and now we
are down to just us and one other boat. We
met the owner of the other boat [Charles from "Dreamcatcher"] who was telling,
and showing us, how he lost the tip of his finger on the mooring line in
the massive swell we had through this area a couple of weeks back. Said it was
healing well but it looked and sounded nasty!!
Dinner and show with the locals is calling so I
should get ready. More to report on this small "Island Nation"
tomorrow.
Andrew.
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