Last but not least, it was time to party party party and so we did when we got to Pangaimotu, the little island off of Nukualofa. All of us, "yachties" ended up here to await a weather window for our departure to New Zealand. Its an analysis paralysis situation where we all study the weather, maps, consult our hired meteorlogical gurus and discuss it over and over and over. In the meantime, we party. We were fortunate to be invited to the 60th B day party of the owner of the island. He is related to the royal family and was given the island by the previous King of Tonga more than 20 years ago. His wife, Big Mama is in the photo with the Red Bastard. There he goes again, rubbing shoulders(and noses) with the nobility. She, Big Mama, created a great bar/restaurant/ yacht club complete with a sand floor. They do eveything for you including taking your fuel cans, water cans, propane tanks etc to town, filling them and returning them to you. They, like most Tongans, are warm, sincere and are wonderful to spend time with. It was a great time spent with all the other boaters we have met and travelled with since Mexico. There are boats here also from Germany, Sweden, Finland, England, Denmark, France, The Netherlands, Brazil etc etc etc. Alas, our window opened, we departed and here we are, safely in Kiwi Land. Pls remember that you can add a comment to the blog by clicking on "comments" at the bottom of each entry and type us a message. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Love to all. John Linda and Pat
1 of our favorite islands was Ooleva where we found that bright orange cook shack, part of a backpackers "resort" What a setting, no one for miles except us boaters, nothing to do but stroll the golden sandy beaches, sun, snorkel, eat, sleep and .....
Thats where the night shot was taken under a full moon with clouds scuddying by and the palms waving at the night.
The market photos were all taken on a typical market day in Nieafu.
Well, the time had come to say farewell to Tonga after 3 months of some of the most beautiful scenery and people. The images I will add to this are from our last days in Nieafu, the center of the northern islands, the 2 weeks+ we spent sailing from there through the Hapaii Group and on to Nukualofa, the capitol and main town in the Tongatapu Group. After a great week anchored off Pangaimotu Island(Big Mama's Yacht Club) we left for New Zealand. The trip took just shy of 8 days of which we had to motor 35% of the time anf the rest was a great sail with 3 days of 25+ knot winds and waves of 10-12 feet. At present I'm updating this from a marina in Opua, NZ. It is just heaven here with great genuine, warm, sincere people who all must have been born with both a zest for life and a sense of humour. Kiwis are a great bunch.
The village photos are from the very remote Hapaii Group.1, maybe 2 islands had electricity, 1 had vehicles but there were lots of curious kids everywhere. Thanks to Gloria and Jon Bentzen, we handed out at least 3-400 pens and pencils to the school teachers on these islands. School supplies are in great demand. The shots of what we may consider shacks are their houses, raised off the grounds so the pigs and chickens have shelter and it keeps any rodents away. They lead the simplest of lives, cook over open fires and share in the abundant wealth of the sea and orchards.
