17 October 2024 –Tonga -Vava’u Group

Before I start I should say thanks to my network I think I may have found crew for the New Zealand to Sydney leg in early January 2025. So that is great.

We had a quiet night at anchor in the bay and woke having had a good night’s sleep. I went for a swim before anyone got up which was nice and refreshing and the bay was quiet.  Others then got up and we had a good breakfast of fruit and cereal.

We decide to move on and explore another bay which meant upping anchor and moving on round a number of islands to another anchorage called Lisa Beach. This had a number of boats already there. En route Sean put the rod out and we caught a King Mackerel. This was not large but a nice fish. This was gutted and prepared for lunch. We found a spot to anchor quite easily. There was not much of a beach and a house which looked a little derelict but it was a pleasant spot.

The ladies went exploring on the paddle board toward the shore to explore. The men enjoyed the peace and quiet!!

We decided to chill here for a while but then probably head off to another bay. We read, swam and did various jobs etc and then had lunch with the fresh fish we had caught which was delicious.

After lunch we had a rest and then decided to head off about 3.30pm. We went round the islands again heading for Otua Bay and what is called the Japanese Garden – this is a good snorkelling area. We came round the islands and the sky was quite grey probably as there is some bad weather coming in.

Otua bay was clear other than one catamaran so we motored up to the 10-meter mark and anchored. This was a nice spot looking over Mala Island which had lots of palm trees on it and what looked like some holiday homes.

We had a nice sundowner on the aft deck and the wind gradually died away. We were the only boat here which was nice. Erika made a nice supper of chicken and aubergine which we all enjoyed and then played a game of famous people which had different rounds which included much merriment especially when Joyce thought Will Carling was a horse!!.

It was a nice relaxing day and good fun. We will head back to Neiafu tomorrow to get the hull cleaned etc.

The picture of the day is the King Mackerel we caught.

Opportunity Year Two

In year two I will be going from New Zealand in early January 2025 across to Sydney and up the Eastern Australian Coast, Indonesia and then through Bali, Singapore and on to Thailand to end year two about the end of November 2025. I will need some more crew.

If there is any interest do email me at  hine.nick9@gmail.com  

The blog will continue as we move through French Polynesia and beyond. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com