Hello All,
We moved to another anchorage yesterday afternoon after checking out of the country. We came down just 5 miles south of the main Island to to Uoleva Island. It has beautiful white sand beaches and the anchorage is all sand with very few coral heads. There is suppose to be good snorkeling around the reefs here so we will go take a look today.
Wednesday I got the boat fueled up and we got some stuff from the grocery store to make the crossing to Fiji. After we had dinner we went to town to Mariners Cafe to have a beer and visit with the owner, a former cruiser and they talked me into doing Karaoke. There were a few locals there and we had a great time. I tried to talk Jon into singing but he was having to much fun watching all of us.
Tonight there is suppose to be a potluck dinner on the beach. There are 6 boats here in the anchorage so it will be fun to meet all of them. We may try to head out to Fiji tomorrow. I will check the weather and see how it looks. The wind has been a bit light so I am hoping it will pick up.
OK,that is all for now so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Walking Tour Foa Island and Lifuka Island
9-26-2010
Hello All,
Jon and I took a walking tour of Foa Island today and had a great time. There is a beach resort where we left the dingy that had the most beautiful beach I have seen. We visited 3 villages along the way and walked all the way to the end of the Island. It is connected to the main Island Lifuka by road. The villages were very clean and the people were all very friendly. This place is most definitely paradise in every sense of the word. After walking for 12 miles round trip we stopped at the beach resort and had a few beers and fish and chips for dinner. We went for a swim after dinner then returned to the boat.
We will head for the main Island Lifuka tomorrow and get fuel and a few things we need for the crossing to Fiji. I hope to leave here by the weekend or so and I will let you guys know what we are up to.
PEACE
9-28-2010
Hello All,
We moved to Lifuka Island yesterday afternoon. The main town Pangai is here. We walked around after arriving and it is a nice but very small village. We had a beer at a little cafe that is owned by a former cruiser. There are a few grocery stores and a gas station. I need to get some fuel for the boat and customs is here so we will be checking out tomorrow and heading for Fiji some time in the next few days. There is not much to do here so after we take care of a few things we will head for another anchorage just south of here.
Our time here has been great. This Island group is fantastic and the weather has been beautiful. These Islands are some what exposed to the sea so we have been fortunate enough to have had sunny days with very little wind.
That is all for now. I will talk to you guys soon.
PEACE
Hello All,
Jon and I took a walking tour of Foa Island today and had a great time. There is a beach resort where we left the dingy that had the most beautiful beach I have seen. We visited 3 villages along the way and walked all the way to the end of the Island. It is connected to the main Island Lifuka by road. The villages were very clean and the people were all very friendly. This place is most definitely paradise in every sense of the word. After walking for 12 miles round trip we stopped at the beach resort and had a few beers and fish and chips for dinner. We went for a swim after dinner then returned to the boat.
We will head for the main Island Lifuka tomorrow and get fuel and a few things we need for the crossing to Fiji. I hope to leave here by the weekend or so and I will let you guys know what we are up to.
PEACE
9-28-2010
Hello All,
We moved to Lifuka Island yesterday afternoon. The main town Pangai is here. We walked around after arriving and it is a nice but very small village. We had a beer at a little cafe that is owned by a former cruiser. There are a few grocery stores and a gas station. I need to get some fuel for the boat and customs is here so we will be checking out tomorrow and heading for Fiji some time in the next few days. There is not much to do here so after we take care of a few things we will head for another anchorage just south of here.
Our time here has been great. This Island group is fantastic and the weather has been beautiful. These Islands are some what exposed to the sea so we have been fortunate enough to have had sunny days with very little wind.
That is all for now. I will talk to you guys soon.
PEACE
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Post Card Island and White Sandy Beaches
Saturday 9-25-2010
Hello All,
The weather here has been awesome. A nice easterly breeze and in the 80s for temperature. Jon and I went for a walk on the Island yesterday morning. We must have walked 8 miles or so. The Island has 3 small villages on it, not a lot of people but lots of pigs and horses. There is quiet a few plantations also.
After getting back to the boat in the afternoon we went over to one of the reefs close by and went for a swim. The coral here is amazing, lots of colors and shapes and sizes. It is some of the most alive coral I have seen. We spent about an hour in the water then returned to the boat. I spent a few hours yesterday looking at the charts for some new anchorages. We are going to move a few miles down this afternoon to another place that is suppose to be very nice.
That is all I know for now so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
Sunday 9-26-2010
Hello All,
We moved the boat a few miles south yesterday after noon to a new anchorage. We anchored behind this awesome little Island with a beautiful white sand beach. After getting settled in Jon went for a swim to the Island and I took the dingy to go explore. The Island was so thick with trees there was no way to walk in the woods so we walked all the way around it on the beach. We spent a few hours just hanging out there and I took a lot of pictures. It was a fabulous day. Today we will go explore the Island next door. It has a few villages on it and a little resort.
I will let you know what we discover tomorrow.
That's all for now.
PEACE
Hello All,
The weather here has been awesome. A nice easterly breeze and in the 80s for temperature. Jon and I went for a walk on the Island yesterday morning. We must have walked 8 miles or so. The Island has 3 small villages on it, not a lot of people but lots of pigs and horses. There is quiet a few plantations also.
After getting back to the boat in the afternoon we went over to one of the reefs close by and went for a swim. The coral here is amazing, lots of colors and shapes and sizes. It is some of the most alive coral I have seen. We spent about an hour in the water then returned to the boat. I spent a few hours yesterday looking at the charts for some new anchorages. We are going to move a few miles down this afternoon to another place that is suppose to be very nice.
That is all I know for now so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
Sunday 9-26-2010
Hello All,
We moved the boat a few miles south yesterday after noon to a new anchorage. We anchored behind this awesome little Island with a beautiful white sand beach. After getting settled in Jon went for a swim to the Island and I took the dingy to go explore. The Island was so thick with trees there was no way to walk in the woods so we walked all the way around it on the beach. We spent a few hours just hanging out there and I took a lot of pictures. It was a fabulous day. Today we will go explore the Island next door. It has a few villages on it and a little resort.
I will let you know what we discover tomorrow.
That's all for now.
PEACE
Friday, September 24, 2010
Arrived Ha'ano Island Tonga
9-23-10
Hello All,
We made it here at 1100 and got anchored. I am fixing breakfast so more to come later.
PEACE
9-24-10
Hello All,
We are anchored just off Ha'ano Island, It is 10 miles north of the main Island Lifuka. There is suppose to be good snorkeling here and there is a small village. We will go to shore this morning and explore and then come back and go swimming.
We had a good crossing coming down. The wind was a bit strong at first and we were close hauled so once again the engine had to give us some support. I will be glad to head to Fiji from here because the wind will be on our stern so it should be more comfortable and we won't get as wet.
I have picked out 3 or 4 good anchorages in the group and they are pretty close to each other. These Islands are more exposed to the sea than in Vavau but they are beautiful.
I will tell you more after we get out and take a look around.
That's all for now so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
Hello All,
We made it here at 1100 and got anchored. I am fixing breakfast so more to come later.
PEACE
9-24-10
Hello All,
We are anchored just off Ha'ano Island, It is 10 miles north of the main Island Lifuka. There is suppose to be good snorkeling here and there is a small village. We will go to shore this morning and explore and then come back and go swimming.
We had a good crossing coming down. The wind was a bit strong at first and we were close hauled so once again the engine had to give us some support. I will be glad to head to Fiji from here because the wind will be on our stern so it should be more comfortable and we won't get as wet.
I have picked out 3 or 4 good anchorages in the group and they are pretty close to each other. These Islands are more exposed to the sea than in Vavau but they are beautiful.
I will tell you more after we get out and take a look around.
That's all for now so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Leaving Vavau
Hello All,
Well, plans always change and this time is no exception. We are headed out of the Vavau Group tonight headed for the Ha'apai group 65 miles south of us. The weather wasn't going to let us stay the weekend so we figured we would get out while the getting was good. Yesterday we got anchored in town and went to shore to get some bread and butter and a few other things we were missing. We got some fuel and water and got the boat ready to get under way.
Last night Jon and I went out for the last time in Neiafu. We had such a good time that I didn't think I needed my wallet anymore. Yup, it fell out of my pocket in all of the excitement. I noticed it was missing this morning and went to the club where we were. They were not open yet so I called my mom and turned off the credit cards. We went to the police to see if anyone had dropped it there and they had not seen anything at that time. The club finally opened and the owner said yes someone did find the wallet and he told them to take it to the police station. So I waited a few hours then went back to the police and they had it. Wow, I was so happy. We finished getting the boat ready and headed out in a rain storm.
I hope the wind is what the weather says it is. We are just making our way to the ocean right now.
I will let you know how everything goes tomorrow.
See ya,
PEACE
Well, plans always change and this time is no exception. We are headed out of the Vavau Group tonight headed for the Ha'apai group 65 miles south of us. The weather wasn't going to let us stay the weekend so we figured we would get out while the getting was good. Yesterday we got anchored in town and went to shore to get some bread and butter and a few other things we were missing. We got some fuel and water and got the boat ready to get under way.
Last night Jon and I went out for the last time in Neiafu. We had such a good time that I didn't think I needed my wallet anymore. Yup, it fell out of my pocket in all of the excitement. I noticed it was missing this morning and went to the club where we were. They were not open yet so I called my mom and turned off the credit cards. We went to the police to see if anyone had dropped it there and they had not seen anything at that time. The club finally opened and the owner said yes someone did find the wallet and he told them to take it to the police station. So I waited a few hours then went back to the police and they had it. Wow, I was so happy. We finished getting the boat ready and headed out in a rain storm.
I hope the wind is what the weather says it is. We are just making our way to the ocean right now.
I will let you know how everything goes tomorrow.
See ya,
PEACE
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Hunga Bay on Vavau
Hello All,
Yesterday morning I got a visit from a guy in a dingy that owns a house boat that he keeps anchored in Tapana. He and his wife are ex cruisers that came in 1983 and stayed. Their floating home is also a business they call the "Ark Gallery". He introduced him self and asked if I had any spare chain. I told him I had about 50 feet I never use and he could have it. He told me that he uses it to repair moorings that he has set up for people to use. He said how much do you want for it, I said do you have anything to trade, he said well maybe. I told him I would like to see his shop and look around. He said sure thing, just talk to my wife and see if there is anything you would like. So Jon and I took the dingy over to the Ark and met his wife. She was originally from Oregon and told me there story in short of how they ended up here in Tonga. She is a very good artist and had a lot of paintings on display. I told her what I did for her husband and she was so happy. She said anything you want here you can have it. I told her it was just some old rusty chain. She insisted, so I picked out a few nice things and we were both happy. We had a nice chat with her also, they are very nice people and I hope to meet up with them again sometime.
We left the anchorage after that and headed for Hunga Island which was 12 miles away. The Island is one of the most western and has exposure to the ocean. It is also where whales can be found. We sailed most of the way over and right before we got here 2 or 3 whales breached right by us. Jon took some pictures with my camera, he was very excited. That was all we saw before entering the bay.
The bay here on Hunga is unique because you enter it through a very small pass 100 feet wide and only 10 feet deep at high tide. it is a little tricky because once you get in you have to jog around some to miss the coral heads. Once inside it is a big bay and deep. We picked up a mooring in front of the village and we went and looked around. It is a very small village and the people all said hello as we walked around.
This morning we will head back to town. Today is the day to sign up for the sail boat race and I was talked into doing by a few cruisers, so Freestyle will be racing this weekend.
I will tell you all about it in the next blog.
That's all for now.
PEACE
Yesterday morning I got a visit from a guy in a dingy that owns a house boat that he keeps anchored in Tapana. He and his wife are ex cruisers that came in 1983 and stayed. Their floating home is also a business they call the "Ark Gallery". He introduced him self and asked if I had any spare chain. I told him I had about 50 feet I never use and he could have it. He told me that he uses it to repair moorings that he has set up for people to use. He said how much do you want for it, I said do you have anything to trade, he said well maybe. I told him I would like to see his shop and look around. He said sure thing, just talk to my wife and see if there is anything you would like. So Jon and I took the dingy over to the Ark and met his wife. She was originally from Oregon and told me there story in short of how they ended up here in Tonga. She is a very good artist and had a lot of paintings on display. I told her what I did for her husband and she was so happy. She said anything you want here you can have it. I told her it was just some old rusty chain. She insisted, so I picked out a few nice things and we were both happy. We had a nice chat with her also, they are very nice people and I hope to meet up with them again sometime.
We left the anchorage after that and headed for Hunga Island which was 12 miles away. The Island is one of the most western and has exposure to the ocean. It is also where whales can be found. We sailed most of the way over and right before we got here 2 or 3 whales breached right by us. Jon took some pictures with my camera, he was very excited. That was all we saw before entering the bay.
The bay here on Hunga is unique because you enter it through a very small pass 100 feet wide and only 10 feet deep at high tide. it is a little tricky because once you get in you have to jog around some to miss the coral heads. Once inside it is a big bay and deep. We picked up a mooring in front of the village and we went and looked around. It is a very small village and the people all said hello as we walked around.
This morning we will head back to town. Today is the day to sign up for the sail boat race and I was talked into doing by a few cruisers, so Freestyle will be racing this weekend.
I will tell you all about it in the next blog.
That's all for now.
PEACE
Monday, September 20, 2010
Princess Tombs and Rainy Days on Vavau
Hello All,
We are anchored in Tapana anchorage this morning. We made it over here yesterday afternoon after visiting a little Island that has a tomb of a princess from eons ago. The anchorage for the Island was exposed and with poor holding of coral heads and coral sand it is only good for a few hours. We went to the beach and found the trail that winds up to the top of the mountain, which is only about 300 feet tall and found the tomb. I don't know the history of the princess but it has been hundreds of years I am sure. Just past the tomb there was a lookout to see all of the surrounding bays and Islands. I wished it was a nicer day but I got some good pictures none the less.
After returning to the boat we made some lunch and then headed for Tapana anchorage. This bay is very protected from SE winds so it was just what we were looking for. There is also a restaurant here that is run by a Spanish couple. They are very well known in the area so after arriving we took the dingy over to say hello. They were cruisers that came through here back in the 80's and loved it so much they never left and opened a restaurant to cater to the cruisers and tourists. We visited a few hours and they enjoyed talking to Jon in Spanish. We also ran into 2 of the crew from Nirvana there. Amya the 1st mate came over with the boats mechanic yesterday morning to look at a broken generator and ended up spending all day there.
The weather here is still not that great so I will hope it clears enough to make it to the other anchorage.
For now we will be hanging out here and do some exploring so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
We are anchored in Tapana anchorage this morning. We made it over here yesterday afternoon after visiting a little Island that has a tomb of a princess from eons ago. The anchorage for the Island was exposed and with poor holding of coral heads and coral sand it is only good for a few hours. We went to the beach and found the trail that winds up to the top of the mountain, which is only about 300 feet tall and found the tomb. I don't know the history of the princess but it has been hundreds of years I am sure. Just past the tomb there was a lookout to see all of the surrounding bays and Islands. I wished it was a nicer day but I got some good pictures none the less.
After returning to the boat we made some lunch and then headed for Tapana anchorage. This bay is very protected from SE winds so it was just what we were looking for. There is also a restaurant here that is run by a Spanish couple. They are very well known in the area so after arriving we took the dingy over to say hello. They were cruisers that came through here back in the 80's and loved it so much they never left and opened a restaurant to cater to the cruisers and tourists. We visited a few hours and they enjoyed talking to Jon in Spanish. We also ran into 2 of the crew from Nirvana there. Amya the 1st mate came over with the boats mechanic yesterday morning to look at a broken generator and ended up spending all day there.
The weather here is still not that great so I will hope it clears enough to make it to the other anchorage.
For now we will be hanging out here and do some exploring so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
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