+5

0

I have spent the day just chilling out while B spent the day cleaning. We went ashore this morning, met Big Mama and booked to join the party tomorrow night. We then took a walk along the beach, escorted by the island dogs. We came across a 1 room bungalow (needs a little work), hidden amongst the overgrown grass. It is 50m from the shore. I’m sure you could get it at a reasonable price. A real fixer upper.

We relaxed on Imagine for the afternoon while more and more boats arrived. Then we went back ashore to have drinks and meet other boaties. Talking to others we had a good run to Tonga even though we took the long way around, we beat a lot of them here.

Our current concern is fuel. We used way too much fuel getting here. We have been told that you can only order 1000ltr minimum. So we found other boats to share the 1000ltrs, but now the tanker truck has broken down so we have to fuel up by Jerry can. We have only one 20ltr can and we need 600ltrs. That is 30 trips back and forth. We are looking at what other options we have.

+3

0

It was hard trying to sleep in the Harbour tied to the wharf. There were some many lights and sounds we hadn’t heard for weeks and we were attached by a squadron of mosquitoes. We awoke at 6.00am to the sound of the fishermen returning from their all night fishing. As they pulled up against the wharf people were already gathered to buy their catch. I tried to buy some lobster but someone beat me to the only bag of lobster they had.

After breakfast, Tala a local taxi driver took B, Pauline, John and Connie into town and to a laundry (the Savoy). I stayed with the boat getting a few jobs done. Everyone returned about 10am. John and Connie had decided to spend a few nights in a hotel (long showers & no mosquitoes). So they stayed onboard and packed a few things, while Pauline, B and I went back into town to do some shopping and pick up the laundry at 12.00. Pauline was amused by the supermarket sound system. A large and loud boom box.

when we returned to Imagine, Connie and John were ready to head to the hotel and we had to move from the wharf to let boats to arrive. We are now anchored across the bay at Pangaimotu Island along with 10 other boats.

+3

0

After a beautiful sunny day with no wind we finally made it to Tonga. We spent an hour outside the Harbour waiting for a container ship to tie up to the wharf. Then another hour waiting for customs to arrive, so we hung out all the bedding to freshen. The process was very easy. Imagine was so hot that they didn’t want to come inside to inspect anything. They even took B and Pauline to the ATM to get Tongan money.

Once we were done with the formalities, John, Connie and Pauline went to get some cash, while B and I went across the road for an Ice-cream. This evening we all enjoyed a drink in the cockpit as the sun went down.

+2

0

This morning as the sun rose, we realised that the windows are getting thick with salt. We will wait until tomorrow to clean them in Nukualofa.

During the day the wind and waves eased and moved more west which has put us on a direct course. This meant only a few sail changes. We are all listing the first things to do when ashore, Ice-cream, ice-coffee, beer, fish & chips, etc.

+2

0

this morning started with the usual removing of flying fish from the deck and unreefing the sails. With slow progress over night we now won’t reach Nukalaofa until Wednesday..

Its been a day of bruises as we have been bounced around. The swell is coming from the east, but there are waves coming from the north being generated by the squalls.

With us setting out to head to French Polynesia and then changing to Tonga, it has made the trip a lot longer than it would be just heading to Tonga.

+2

0

As we glide between two underwater volcanos alone in the cockpit I just listen to nature. The shshsh as the bow cuts through the water. The quiet whistle of the breeze passing though the sails. The creaking of Imagine as she rocks over the waves. With the sun lighting up the deck these are the days that makes sailing a pleasure.

Still heading to Tonga, we are being pushed north west, slightly off course. As the wind curves us more west, we will tack across and back on course.

In the galley this evening while preparing snapper (caught from the feezer this morning) for dinner I can see the blue water rushing past the galley porthole. We are all waiting for the chance to sunbathe, skinnydip, but most of all to walk along a beach and stretch our legs.

+3

0

After another night of dodging squalls, the sea died down and we had a pleasant day’s sail. The sunrise this morning was beautiful, but tonight’s sunset was not as spectacular. It was just a relaxing day. I think everyone is imagining a cold beer for lunch on Tuesday when we reach Tonga.

Tonight Pauline and Connie made dinner. Pauline didn’t last the whole time in the galley, but she made a nice sauce to go with the pork.

+2

0

This morning brought calmer water and lighter wind, so we unreefed all the sails and put out the headsail. It has been a relaxing day as we head north. On the way the Autopilot stopped working. Straight away I new what the problem was and 10 minutes later it was back in action. We have decided to head to Tonga. Partly for a few minor repairs and partly to give everyone a rest. It’s only 4 days to Tonga instead of the 15 days to French Polynesia.

+2

0

It way another rough night. This morning everyone was tired and slept where and when they could. Today we have made it one third of the way to French Polynesia.

The day continued with squalls and overcast conditions. The Grey skies turned the sea black, making the 3 to 4m waves look even more menacing. Sails got put up, put down, furled in, furled out and reefed. Now we have tacked and are heading back north west to get around more squalls.

+3

0

Last night the wind changed as we passed and went through several squalls. Early this morning we’ll after the squalls had gone the wind changed 100degrees so its been a day of sail changing and tacking.

The waves crashing over the bow have found their way in through one of the ventilation pipes. Hopefully we have now fixed that.

Everyone is exhausted, but we are plodding on. The weather is predicted to get better later in the week.