Leg 8 - Tonga and New Zealand - October, 2004)
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Niuatoputapu, Tonga
We arrived in Tonga after a couple of boisterous days of sailing. Niuatoputapu is
in the northern most group of the Tongan Islands, and is infrequently visited by
tourists, and at least this year, by the supply ship as well. We were involved with
other yachts in delivering 100's of pounds of needed rice and flour, along with
pens and pencils for the schools.
The people of Tonga were as welcoming as any we have me along the way, with
each family almost joining in competition to have us join them for Sunday dinner.
We arrived in Tonga after a couple of boisterous days of sailing. Niuatoputapu is
in the northern most group of the Tongan Islands, and is infrequently visited by
tourists, and at least this year, by the supply ship as well. We were involved with
other yachts in delivering 100's of pounds of needed rice and flour, along with
pens and pencils for the schools.
The people of Tonga were as welcoming as any we have me along the way, with
each family almost joining in competition to have us join them for Sunday dinner.
The VaVa'u Group, Tonga
Late October is the time when most of the yachts that have been sailing in the pacific islands
prepare to head south or west, out of the cyclone belt, and Nieafu, in the VaVa'u group, is
where the boats begin to collect. Since both the Moorings and SunSail maintain charter
operations here, there are some repair facilities and lots of bars and restaurants scattered
around a wonderfully protected harbour. Here we began preparing ourselves and the boat for
the trip to New Zealand, but we took some time out to join a whale-watching boat and spent
some fabulous time in the water with a mom and here newly delivered (several ton) pup. We
parted company here with several of our sailing friends, hoping our wakes will cross again
somewhere, sometime.
Late October is the time when most of the yachts that have been sailing in the pacific islands
prepare to head south or west, out of the cyclone belt, and Nieafu, in the VaVa'u group, is
where the boats begin to collect. Since both the Moorings and SunSail maintain charter
operations here, there are some repair facilities and lots of bars and restaurants scattered
around a wonderfully protected harbour. Here we began preparing ourselves and the boat for
the trip to New Zealand, but we took some time out to join a whale-watching boat and spent
some fabulous time in the water with a mom and here newly delivered (several ton) pup. We
parted company here with several of our sailing friends, hoping our wakes will cross again
somewhere, sometime.
The Ha'apai Group, Tonga
By the time we reached the Ha'apai Group, we were mentally ready for the trip to New Zealand
and home, so when the weather turned a bit nasty, we were content to work on getting the boat
and ourselves ready for the trip south. The next leg to New Zealand can sometimes be lively so
we spent a good bit of time studying the weather, looking for the perfect window. We had also
lost our main steering controls, so we had some jury-rigging to do for the expected 10 day trip
to New Zealand.
We could spend months in each of these Tongan island groups, as the water is crystal clear,
the diving is magnificent, and on land there are wonderful hiking and caving opportunities. We
are a bit sad to leave without really experiencing all that Tonga has to offer, but the desire to be
home with our wives and families is strong, and so for that last time this year, we pull up the
anchor and point DreamWeaver out to sea.
By the time we reached the Ha'apai Group, we were mentally ready for the trip to New Zealand
and home, so when the weather turned a bit nasty, we were content to work on getting the boat
and ourselves ready for the trip south. The next leg to New Zealand can sometimes be lively so
we spent a good bit of time studying the weather, looking for the perfect window. We had also
lost our main steering controls, so we had some jury-rigging to do for the expected 10 day trip
to New Zealand.
We could spend months in each of these Tongan island groups, as the water is crystal clear,
the diving is magnificent, and on land there are wonderful hiking and caving opportunities. We
are a bit sad to leave without really experiencing all that Tonga has to offer, but the desire to be
home with our wives and families is strong, and so for that last time this year, we pull up the
anchor and point DreamWeaver out to sea.
Arrival in New Zealand
With the help of some good weather forecasting, we had a fast but reasonably
comfortable sail down to New Zealand, arriving in the Bay of Islands just before nightfall
on the eighth day of the trip. New Zealand is a vast and wonderful country that
deserves much more than a footnote in our journal, but we had only a couple of weeks
to sail the boat to Whangarei, make arrangements with a yard for storage and repairs,
and plan our departure for home. We did manage a driving tour of a few days, just
enough to wet our whistles for all that New Zealand has to offer. Be it sailing, hiking,
trout fishing, biking, painting, or just driving the beautiful countryside, New Zealand
becons the adventurer. There will certainly be more to tell when I return from my
journey home for the winter months.
With the help of some good weather forecasting, we had a fast but reasonably
comfortable sail down to New Zealand, arriving in the Bay of Islands just before nightfall
on the eighth day of the trip. New Zealand is a vast and wonderful country that
deserves much more than a footnote in our journal, but we had only a couple of weeks
to sail the boat to Whangarei, make arrangements with a yard for storage and repairs,
and plan our departure for home. We did manage a driving tour of a few days, just
enough to wet our whistles for all that New Zealand has to offer. Be it sailing, hiking,
trout fishing, biking, painting, or just driving the beautiful countryside, New Zealand
becons the adventurer. There will certainly be more to tell when I return from my
journey home for the winter months.
DreamWeaver at Rest
We left DreamWeaver out of the water in Whangarei, NZ and will return sometime in
the spring to continue this adventure. Stay tuned, and if you happen by Atlanta in the
meantime, please come by for some cheer.
We left DreamWeaver out of the water in Whangarei, NZ and will return sometime in
the spring to continue this adventure. Stay tuned, and if you happen by Atlanta in the
meantime, please come by for some cheer.
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