More Exploring

Hello All,
Yesterday Jon and I set off early to take a hike up to a Crater on Mt. Matavapu. It was about 30 miles from here so we wanted to get an early start. We were to late for the bus ride so we started hitch hiking. We didn't walk for 5 minutes before two younger gals from the states picked us up. One girl has been on the Island for 2 years doing peace corp work and the other, her sister, was here for a holiday. They were just out sight seeing and offered to take us all the way to the mountain. They themselves were wanting to see the crater also. That was very convenient for us because it would have been a long walk. We got within a mile of the summit and that is where we met "Crater Man" he is the grounds keeper for the park and to see it required 20 dollars a piece. I only had 20 in my pocket and and Jon had none. Jon had given me his money because he didn't think he needed it anymore. I guess I bought to many beers the night before lol. So Jon had to stay behind and the 3 of us took the mile hike to the crater. Jon walked to the bottom of the road and we picked him up on our way back down. They dropped us on the main road and we hitched a ride back to the boat.
We had dinner again at the Vai Moana Resort and had a very nice visit with a Finnish cruising couple that arrived a few days ago. We also talked to a couple that is on holiday from New Zealand and asked them about their country and we exchanged e-mails so we may get to see them again when we get down there.
This has been a delightful stay and the folks that run the Resort have been so kind.
We will be leaving this afternoon for Tonga so we will be busy getting the boat all ready for the 2 day crossing.
That's all for now and I will write while underway.

PEACE