Sittting on the wharf at sundown on Sunday in Haáfeva, I was facing another five days of eating manioc and doing nothing. Meeting Leonie, Adam and the two boys changed all that, they kindly offered to take me to Tonga’s capital, Nukuálofa. They quickly made me feel part of the family, and cooked some incredble food – who knew you could eat so well on a boat!
Our sail took us to Nomuka, then on to Kelefesia, arguably one of the most beautiful islands in the South Pacific. As if being in paradise wasn’t enough, as we approached the anchorage, a pod of whales put on an acrobatic show for us all, breaching the water and splashing their fins, and all no more than 50-100m from the boat.
We enjoyed some amazing snorkelling, and great exploring of the island. Pieter kept himself entertained by catching hermit crabs, (often getting nipped on the fingers), Mees then used the crabs for some fishing – he was more successful than Adam and I in our attempts to catch big fish and lobster!
We’ve just arrived in Nukuálofa in time for my flight later tonight, and where we leave each other. The boys have very patiently let me sleep in their toy room, and it’s been an incredible few days at sea. Leonie and Adam’s kindness over the past five days has been overwhelming, they’re even polite enough to have told me I’m getting the hang of the dinghy, which I crashed twice!
Bon voyage for the rest of your adventure!
Jon
ps Today or tomorrow there will be a new photo album Tonga III