Saturday night was the Full Moon Costume Party with the rather weary pirate theme. About 200 people showed up and a wild night ensued. Sunday was pretty quiet and we sailed back to Neiafu on Monday morning for the Tridecagon-athalon ( try to say that after 10 drinks). It consisted of 13 games played by 6 teams and judged in an exteremely arbitrary way. Points were awarded by winning and also by buying the judges drinks. It was a hot and sweaty day and the last event was a pie eating contest which had to be seen to be believed. Photos are being processed.
The awards party wound it up on Tuesday and we won a kart safari trip around the island which we will enjoy tomorrow.
We will probably stay here until the weekend and then go south for 80 miles to the next island group called the Hapa'i and then on to Tongatapu.
Photos soon
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Neiafu, Vava'u Group, Tonga
This has been a bussy and eventful week for Callisto. We have re-met many of our friends from across the Pacific aqnd made some new ones as they all gathered here for the 2010 Vava'u Regatta. The Regatta itself lasted for about a week and was packed full of a combination of mindless events and a few more serious ones. . It kicked off on the 22nd with a meet and greet which was enjoyable. There was the opportunity to meet with reps from Opua and Whangerei in New Zealand to learn about the various services offered for repar and refit for Callisto once we get to NZ.
On the following day was an activity called the "cornhole tournament". It was not what you think. More like a game of horseshoes but instead of a horseshoe the object was to get a bean bag into a hole in a wooden board about 10 metres away. Unfortunately was eliminated after the second round. That evening was the Billionaire Costume Pub Crawl. We were issued 1 billion Zimbabwean Dollars(completely worthless) and off we went to visit 11 of the local hostelries while in drag. You are going to have to wait for the photos and they are impressive. Much alcohol was involved but nobody drowned and a good time was had by all.
On the next day was a local boat race in the harbor and I entered my sailing dinghy and managed to win my class.
On Saturday was the Sunsail Vavu'a Cup Race from the Neiafu harbour to Tapana Island. The course was about 20 miles and 30 boats participated. We had good breeze and had a great time but unfortunately did not place. (cont)
On the following day was an activity called the "cornhole tournament". It was not what you think. More like a game of horseshoes but instead of a horseshoe the object was to get a bean bag into a hole in a wooden board about 10 metres away. Unfortunately was eliminated after the second round. That evening was the Billionaire Costume Pub Crawl. We were issued 1 billion Zimbabwean Dollars(completely worthless) and off we went to visit 11 of the local hostelries while in drag. You are going to have to wait for the photos and they are impressive. Much alcohol was involved but nobody drowned and a good time was had by all.
On the next day was a local boat race in the harbor and I entered my sailing dinghy and managed to win my class.
On Saturday was the Sunsail Vavu'a Cup Race from the Neiafu harbour to Tapana Island. The course was about 20 miles and 30 boats participated. We had good breeze and had a great time but unfortunately did not place. (cont)
Monday, September 20, 2010
Some photos
tiny dancer from Tonga
two larger ones
Ovalu island
feral goats on Ovalu
Jennifer on the beach
Ovalu
swallow's cave
another Tongan tiny dancer
Local Tongan band. Very nice harmonies( note the kava bowl-stuff tastes like old socks)
Sunset over Vava'u, Tonga
Leaving Niuatoputapu at dawn. The tsunami took all the leaves off the treesSaturday, September 18, 2010
Niafu, Tonga
We are now back in Nieafu after wandering around the islands for just over a week for rest and resupply. This whole area is excellent with beautiful protected anchorages and great beaches.
All of our old pals from the pacific crossingare arriving for the Vava'u Regatta which starts on Wednesday. All sorts of ridiculous activities will be planned but it should be a good time. Photos are proving tough to upload but I will persevere. The whales have also been elusive.
All of our old pals from the pacific crossingare arriving for the Vava'u Regatta which starts on Wednesday. All sorts of ridiculous activities will be planned but it should be a good time. Photos are proving tough to upload but I will persevere. The whales have also been elusive.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Ovalau Island, Vava'u Tonga
We are now in yeat another anchorage in the Vava'u group. We left Port Mourelle 2 days ago and spent the day yesterday at an island called Nuapapu which was reputed to have good diving. According to one cruising guide the local reef was supposed to be the best in Tonga but we found the water to be of such poor clarity we didn't go on the reef. Port Mourelle was a lot of fun we went ashore on our last night there for a bonfire and a bar-B-que on the beach with two other boat crews. Sven and Katrine from Solar Planet and Rod and Elizabeth from Proximity. The Admiral's Girl Scout skills were much appreciated as she organized the firewood gathering parties and built an excellent bonfire. We saw some huge fruit bats at dusk and a good time was had by all.
We left Nuapapu this morning in search of humpback whales which are reported to frequent this area but they seemed to be hiding today and not a one was spotted.
Perhaps tomorrow we will be luckier. Ovalu Island is about perfect, with a white sand beach, crystal clear water and a reef to dive on later today.
Photos to follow
We left Nuapapu this morning in search of humpback whales which are reported to frequent this area but they seemed to be hiding today and not a one was spotted.
Perhaps tomorrow we will be luckier. Ovalu Island is about perfect, with a white sand beach, crystal clear water and a reef to dive on later today.
Photos to follow
Friday, September 10, 2010
10 September
Port Mourelle, Vavau Island Group, Tonga
We left Nieafu, Tonga yesterday to explore the numerous island and bays in the Vavau group. The area is shaped like an octopus with the main island being the body and and the many tentacles hanging below it. The waters are all sheltered by a fringing reef and despite quite a bit of wind there is no swell and the sailing is great and the anchoring even better. We are currently in Port Mourelle where the water is crystal clear. Snorkeling and a walk on the beach and perhaps a visit to Swallow's Cave are the order of the day.
We left Nieafu, Tonga yesterday to explore the numerous island and bays in the Vavau group. The area is shaped like an octopus with the main island being the body and and the many tentacles hanging below it. The waters are all sheltered by a fringing reef and despite quite a bit of wind there is no swell and the sailing is great and the anchoring even better. We are currently in Port Mourelle where the water is crystal clear. Snorkeling and a walk on the beach and perhaps a visit to Swallow's Cave are the order of the day.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Photos
Dinghy drill before the pot luck, Niuatoputapu
beach, Niuatoputapu
our 8th graders
the hospital Niuatopotapu. A little primitive. Certainly compact. They really could use supplies so if anyone from EMC can send them some stuff, I'll give you the address
beach, Niautoputapu
our hosts Niko and Sia for Sunday lunch
local kids
local fauna
Pago pago, Samoa
the admiral wandering on the beach, Samoa
they still seem to think that Dubya is the prez5 September
Latest update fro Callisto
We are now in the Vava'u group of the Tongan Islands safely on a mooring in Neiafu. This would appear to be a major cruising hub and many boats that we met across the Pacific are again here. It's not difficult to see why as there are many secluded and quiet anchorages all within a few miles of here. Both Sunsail and the Moorings Yacht Charter are here and there must be at least 60 boats here right now including many megayachts. It woud appear that wuite a few skipped Samoa and Niuatopotapu all together but I'm glad that we did take the time to visit them. Niuatopotapu was especially interesing considering the recent Tsunami and the efforts of the people to rebuild after the significant devastation.
We will probably spend a few days here and then try to get away from all these other boats and visit some of the outlying anchorages in this island groupd and then come back for another Sailing Rendevous on September 22.
The weather here is much cooler than Samoa being 350 miles south and we look forward to some great sailing here
We are now in the Vava'u group of the Tongan Islands safely on a mooring in Neiafu. This would appear to be a major cruising hub and many boats that we met across the Pacific are again here. It's not difficult to see why as there are many secluded and quiet anchorages all within a few miles of here. Both Sunsail and the Moorings Yacht Charter are here and there must be at least 60 boats here right now including many megayachts. It woud appear that wuite a few skipped Samoa and Niuatopotapu all together but I'm glad that we did take the time to visit them. Niuatopotapu was especially interesing considering the recent Tsunami and the efforts of the people to rebuild after the significant devastation.
We will probably spend a few days here and then try to get away from all these other boats and visit some of the outlying anchorages in this island groupd and then come back for another Sailing Rendevous on September 22.
The weather here is much cooler than Samoa being 350 miles south and we look forward to some great sailing here
Friday, September 3, 2010
3 September
We left Niatoputapu this morning and are on passage to the Vava'u group of islands in Tonga where we will probably be for the next three weeks or so. I have many photos of Niuatopatapu and Pago Pago to post and wil do so at the earliest opportunity. We had a very pleasant stay on the island and visited with the local High School and talked to the 8th Graders about the importance of staying in school and learning English. We made some new cruising friends at Wednesday night's pot luck dinner. Details to follow.
Current position at 1700H is 17deg 09S, 173 deg 53.7W course is 175 deg M Wind is 18 kts from ESE speed 6.5 kts with 90 mile to go. We should be in Neafu tomorrow morning.
Current position at 1700H is 17deg 09S, 173 deg 53.7W course is 175 deg M Wind is 18 kts from ESE speed 6.5 kts with 90 mile to go. We should be in Neafu tomorrow morning.
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