Two At Sea

June 3 2014

This is our second time here in the southern Tonga group (Tongatapu). The first time, we hurried through on our way to New Zealand. This time, we were tempted to hurry through on our way north. We didn’t though. We stopped to smell the roses and they are sweet!

We took off from Big Mama’s Yacht Club and headed first to Malinoa, about 5 miles away. We were surprised by the best diving and snorkeling we’ve had anywhere in Tonga.

Today, we made a three mile trip to Fafa to escape some swells wrapping around Malinoa. Fafa has a resort!

A resort with umbrella drinks!

And ice cream crepes!

The food here was wonderful and the staff was so welcoming.  We had an amazing lunch – an amazing gourmet lunch!  Who knew!?

What a great few days. Like us, so many cruisers hurry through Tongatapu. It’s really worth spending some time cruising here if you can. I’m sure glad we did. -Rich

May 31, 2014

Here’s a photosphere from deck this evening. Life is good!

May 26, 2014 – Nuku’alofa, Tonga

Internet is pretty rough here in Tonga, but don’t worry – don’t feel bad for us. We’ll manage to survive on sunsets and Big Mama’s Cruiser’s Ale!

Plans? Don’t really know. We’ll hang out here a bit – until we head to some other bits of Tonga. Maybe a day or two, maybe a week or two.

In the mean time, below are some, what else?, New Zealand posts from my chronologically rigid wife!

23 May 2014 – We’re again anchored off Big Mama’s in Nuku’alofa, Tonga after a 13 day passage that was a mixed bag of good and evil that included two nights anchored in Minerva Reef. It feels good to be in! Just woke up from a nap and getting ready for another! Must sleep. -Rich P.S. We departed from this very spot for New Zealand in November, 2012.

May 22, 2014

We’re a day out of Nuku’alofa, Tonga. We should make landfall tomorrow before noon. We’re pushing a little to try to get there in time to get our customs check-in done before they close for the weekend. It’s nice out here. The big seas are settling a bit, the sun came out, and the wind is from a great direction. OK, sailing doesn’t suck all the time. -Rich

P.S. We had a nice, two night stay in Minerva. What a great place. More on that later.