By: Geoff On: 26/12/2013 10:36:03 In: Uncategorised
28th May to 2nd June 2013
Tuesday 28th May 2013
What a wonderful place to be! We had picked up a mooring in 34 meters of water and you could clearly see the bottom!
We chilled out and rested, after putting the dinghy in the water, waiting for Chinook and In Flagranti to arrive as we had said we would ferry the doctors to look at Lucas' rash and Peter's ankle, then go to customs together. Yantina and Valentine were already in the mooring when we arrived and Ian came across for a coffee and to borrow the sewing machine for a sail repair. He is amazing, nothing seems to fade him and within an hour he had dropped their mainsail done the repair and returned the sewing machine.
We had a problem with our outboard and it got wet while we were adjusting the throttle and gearbox linkages. Chinook's dinghy also had an engine problem and they had managed to buoy-hop as far as our boat but were not convinced they could make it to the dock! We all finally managed to get ashore and clear customs before meeting Keith and Ira at the Yacht Club. I left the medical core drinking beers while I returned to collect Susan from the boat and Malcolm came to operate the crane - his new found toy, so excited to be able to use a piece of industrial machinery! Back in the Yacht Club we organised for Keith to take us out the following day on his Commodore's Tour of the island.
Keith informed us that the curry restaurant was fully booked with the people from the fishing competition that is in progress here, so he booked us into Juannas and kindly took us there and delivered us back to the wharf later. We had another great evening and were joined by Emily, a French girl of 34 here backpacking, and Rob and Cathy, a New Zealand couple here on holiday and staying at the local resort hotel. Sonja looked after us all very well, her husband normally cooks and she is out front, but tonight he is involved with a fishing competition so she has to manage on her own until he returns later. We haven't been able to get any New Zealand Dollars so we left without paying, owing NZ$ 150.00
Keith appeared when called and returned us to the wharf where we had an interesting experience launching and boarding the dinghy for the return trip back to our boats.
Wednesday 29th May 2013
We had arranged with Commodore Keith, to commence our tour at 10:00, due to our lateness the previous evening. We did two runs ashore in the dinghy, Malcolm had to be present as crane operator so he came on the first run with the garbage and our snorkels, masks and flippers etc that would be needed on the tour. The second run was to collect Susan, Brian and Dave. Once they were safely ashore, the crane didn't work and I had to remain in the dinghy while they restored the power to it.
Money had become a real issue as were seemed unable to get any cash and no-one took cards. Keith suggested he take us to the duty free store as they would be able to help exchange US$ for NZ$, which of course meant we had to purchase some goods and get Keith a bottle of duty free gin. The tour was finally able to start and we headed to the first stop at the Matavai Resort Hotel where we again met the Kiwi couple Rob and Cathy and were fortunate to be able to get New Zealand dollars against our debit card. They would only process one transaction so we had to work out what we thought we needed and did it all on my card which Chinook repaid in US dollars.
We went on to Avatele Beach and were shown the Washaway Cafe where the food and drinks are self service with an honesty pad to record what you have.
Back along the coast road, we passed the Anaana Burial caves before stopping for the Commodore's refreshments at Amanau, close to Claytons Bar and the closed fish canning factory. Continuing north along the coast road, passing back through Alofi to Makefu village we arrived at the Avaiki Caves full of wonderfully coloured stalagmites and stalactites leading out to the clear cool Avaiki pool.
Back on the road and still heading north we arrived at the the Limu Pools near Namukulu village. Here we snorkledwere the pools have a mix of fresh and salt water that distorts one's vision due to the light refraction being different for each, it gives you a sense of something being wrong with your eyesight!
With the high winds and swell that day, Keith advised that the other normal places he would normally take us were not accessible or too dangerous to visit in the present condition and we returned to base.
Completion of the tour was back at the Yacht Club where we had a couple of drinks while considering our next move. We elected to have an early curry at Gill's Indian restaurant, owned by the chef Harry, and then return to our boats for an early night.
The curry was excellent and as we walked back down to the wharf I noticed I didn't have the dinghy keys with me. They had been left in the ignition of the dinghy all day! Everyone got back on the boats safely and without incident. We put the generator on and watched another episode of Downton Abbey, Susan falling asleep almost immediately she hit the pillow!
Thursday 30th May 2013
Following the radio-net, where those still out had advised the swell had reduced and the wind slackened, we agreed with Chinook that we should look to a late afternoon departure. Out passage plan shows 1 day 17 hours to Tonga so we should arrive close to midday although crossing the date line, we are still not quite sure which day we will arrive there!
This plan allows us a leisurely day to clear Niue customs, pay our bills and buy our T-shirts.
Friday 31st May 2013
We had another leisurely start to the day, Satika had arrived during the night and Wolfhound were due in around 10:30. We co-ordinated their customs clearance to be together, hopefully before the weekly flight from New Zealand arrived at 14:00 and occupied customs for the rest of the afternoon. We managed a pickup for them from the wharf at 13:00 so I took Yves and Tony ashore to clear-in. Malcolm came with me, as the now adopted crane operator, and we proceeded to Gill's Restaurant to book a table for 14 at 18:00 and then on to the Yacht Club.
Once Yves and Tony had completed their tour of the island to get local currency to pay customs and meet us in the Yacht Club, we concentrated on getting everyone else ashore. That done, we spent a couple of hours at the Yacht Club with everyone checking their emails and weather sites with the inevitable discussions on when would be the best time to continue to Tonga. We went back for Thomas and Ester, who wanted to rest during the afternoon, before moving on to Gill's where Henry cooked us another magnificent meal to everyone's delight.
The ferrying operation to get everyone back on the boats was a little easier since we now had Wolfhound's dinghy in operation but we were still having to share our brindle for lifting the dinghies out and back into the water.
Saturday 1st June 2013
Wolfhound, Thomas and Ester go on their island tour. Spent, Yves and Tina join Chinook on board for lunch. A great time with onion soup and fresh coconut bread sandwiches, delicious!
Keith from NYC came over to the boat with his family Tim, Rachel, Aden, Jacob and Peter great kids and good fun. Late afternoon we go ashore to meet up with the island tour for dinner but first, of course, a drink in NYC then on to Crazy Uga Cafe for fish & chips which were superb!
Weather discussed at length and we all decide to leave the island tomorrow, Satika & Chinook going early morning with ourselves and Wolfhound late afternoon.
Sunday 2nd June 2013
Chinook and Satika both left as planned, at 06:15 and 06:45 respectively. We had a quiet morning agreeing with Wolfhound to leave around 11:00 for brunch at the Washaway Cafe. Tony had not only kept hold of the mini-bus rental to drive us all there but also offered to dinghy us ashore, which enabled us to stow our dinghy ready for our afternoon departure.
We timed it just right to get a good table at the cafe where we all had burger and chips overlooking the wonderful calm waters at Avatele beach. Sonja from Juannas was there with her family, Brain from Backpackers was there and we also saw some Kiwis that we had bumped into a couple of times. It was the place to go for Sunday lunch!
We returned to the boats mid-afternoon in order to have a swim and a siesta before leaving later.