Tonga
So we arrived in Tonga with a list of stuff to fix that got smashed getting there. Plenty of time though as we were around the islands until the middle of October.
On our arrival we were met at the Dock by four very friendly officials who came onto our boat for our clearance into Tonga. We gave them tea and cookies had a pleasant hour being checked into the country.
The annual agricultural show was on a few days after we arrived. All the farmers, producers and crafts people from the Kingdom of Tonga come together to display their stuff for the King and his retinue.
Most impressive. Absolutely beautiful handicrafts , weaving, carvings, jewellery, tappas, wonderous baskets, enormous yams, tapioca, sweet potatoes, the list goes on. Quite the endeavour for such a small Nation. And we saw the King and Queen of Tonga and Peter had a beer with the Deputy Minister of Finance later. A very interesting day.
One of our anchorages was in the middle of a most exquisite lagoon in northern Tonga . The anchorage was amazing. The eastern shores are rugged, sea battered and spectacular, while the western shores are beach lined and great for snorkelling and beachcombing. We are just hanging out and having fun. This is what our trip is all about relaxing and having fun - our dream!
On Joyce's birthday some of the cruisers organized a pot luck supper with a birthday cake. What did she do to deserve such a luxury says Peter!
After leaving the Vavau’a Group of Islands we made our way to the Ha’apai Group of Islands a short 60 mile sail. This time we did sail and the engine became redundant at least for this passage.
On Peter’s birthday (Sept 26th) we had Mike and Vicky (Djadara) over for Curry and Cake to celebrate. Unfortunately during the night our dinghy got loose and disappeared. Peter had forgotten to tie the dinghy up properly. Thank goodness it wasn’t Joyce!!!! Peter must have tied the dinghy hundreds if not thousands of times what an inconvenience that was for us. Imagine two people on a one man kyak it must have looked hilarious!! thanks Chris what we have done without the kyak.
We spent the next morning with the help of Mike looking for the dinghy but gave up after going in a circular route for six miles out to sea.. Mike went in his dinghy to the nearby beaches. Still no sign of the dinghy all was lost and we had to forget BLINK. Poor old BLINK she was good to us and we miss her. Even the Tongan police had an all Island alert out for the dinghy with no results. We reckon it probably got to Fiji before we did!
We stern tied to the dock in Pangai for about 5 days. Spent two of those days doing boat checks for our trip to New Zealand, we cleaned and organized the boat for our departure.
While we were in Pangai it seemed as if everyone from the village checked us out. Every morning the children came to say hello before school and return in the evening to see if we are still at the dock. During the day we get other visitors coming to see us for a chat. We never realized that so few boats come here. The people are so friendly and the village is quite charming.
We left Pangai Village with much regret as we had enjoyed our few days there. We particularly liked the Cruiser Bar where we had eaten every night. Particularly liked the Mariner Burger - the best burger in the South Pacific!
We anchored in about 4 different anchorages in the Ha'apai's and thoroughly enjoyed everyone of them.
After leaving the Ha’apai Group of Islands we arrived at Pangaimotu Island Resort which lies opposite to Nuku’alofa the capital of Tonga. There was a ferry into Nuku'lofa which was very convenient. We checked into Tongatapu and then proceeded to explore the market, shops, bakery (especially the Bakery) and coffee shop. The Market was busy, full of crafts, vegetables, fruit, and clothes. The crafts were far cheaper than we had been used in the rest of Tonga and plentiful.
In the evening of October 11th we were given a most fantastic Thanksgiving Day celebration (Canada has theirs in October whereas the US is in November) by the owners of the Pangaimotu Island Resort. Big Mamma and our husband made us (there were 6 boats there – four Canadian and 2 American) a wonderful turkey spread with local delicacies. Matarua made the desert and Big Mamma made a cake for two of her staff who had a birthday and also joined in the celebrations this made it a special evening. We danced the night away to some of the most amazing music provided by Sven and Mike our friends.
We checked out of Tonga on the 13th October and left for New Zealand on the morning of 14th October.