Fwd: Neiafu Tonga 18.6508° S, 173.9831 ° W and Hunga 20.5700° S, 175.3800° W
SV Jenny
Alan Franklin/Lynne Gane
Sun 20 Sep 2015 17:00
-----Original Message-----
From: Lynne Gane <lynnegane {CHANGE TO AT} aol {DOT} com>
To: svjenny+diary597144 <svjenny+diary597144 {CHANGE TO AT} mailasail {DOT} com>
Sent: Fri, 18 Sep 2015 18:54
Subject: Neiafu Tonga 18.6508° S, 173.9831° W and Hunga 20.5700° S, 175.3800° W
From: Lynne Gane <lynnegane {CHANGE TO AT} aol {DOT} com>
To: svjenny+diary597144 <svjenny+diary597144 {CHANGE TO AT} mailasail {DOT} com>
Sent: Fri, 18 Sep 2015 18:54
Subject: Neiafu Tonga 18.6508° S, 173.9831° W and Hunga 20.5700° S, 175.3800° W
Dear Family and Friends,
Another update in collaboration between Tonga (Alan) and London (me).
Photo 1
Neiafu Port
Photo 2
In Neaifu there are frequent charity events. The double hulled canoe Vaka was visiting Neaifu to raise cultural awareness and support (money) to their activities as part of their cultural heritage. Quite a few crews had trips and there was even a wedding on board whilst here (Free Spirit).
Sailing the VAKA was fun but cold and wet experience for the Sofia’s and me, Vaka is pictured in Neiafu harbour, Va’vau group. This canoe has been to Hawaii, Tahiti, Marquesas, Chile, New Zealand, and Samoa as well as here, though I am not sure of the order. It is only equipped electric engines and solar panels, with a limited operating time.
Otherwise its sail, sail, sail.
Photo 3
Not the same pig! Many Tongan anchorages host events attended by visiting boats - this Tongan feast was on the beach on Vakaeitu Va’vau group. Tongan food is typically Pacific, similar to Samoa and Tahiti.
Photo 4
Hunga Lagoon, village welcome
A cricket match, Tongan lunch and melodious welcome by the local school children, all very pleasant and we were all made to feel very welcome.
Are cricket matches in Hunga, anything like Samoa with their matching lavalava and 3 sided bat, we shall never know, Alan hasn't sent a picture of this, just a description! I am in suspense!
'The game was fun - but now I remember why I avoided playing it!
The “crease” concrete, the “grass” weeds, but the Tongan enthusiasm endless, U.S and Canadians quite mystified!!'
Photo 5
But at least we have the view from the boundary!
Photo 6
Hunga Lagoon entrance - Its not always easy, the depth of water at low tide 2 meters, high water 3 meters, Jenny draws 2.1 meters so its not a passage to get your timing wrong or for rough weather. The “channel” is sometimes marked but well used!
Navigation marks you must be joking!
Photo 7
Jenny at anchor Hunga, Tonga
Its 01.00 UT. 17th September 2015 We just received a Tsunami warning of a wave 0.3 - 1.0 meter height arriving Tonga in 12 hrs time - unfortunately 13.00UT is 0100 Tonga time - It is said it may change - I might just wait up….
Its mid tide at that time - so an extra high tide on its way it seems! - Life isn’t dull round here.
Its mid tide at that time - so an extra high tide on its way it seems! - Life isn’t dull round here.
18th September 2015
Like a damp firework, it all amounted to very little here but reports from the Marquesas' speak of a 4m surge whilst in Samoa it was 2m, good not to be there!
All our best,
Alan and Lynne
