Tonga September and October 2001
(Return to the sailing adventures of La Boatique)
Dinghys moored at Ana's Waterfront Cafe in Tonga. Ana's was the place to meet other yachties.
Anchorage at Neiafu, Tonga in the Vavau group of islands, also known as anchorage number 1.
During a walk in the forest I spotted this mushroom that looked like a wine goblet.
Julius (Argonauta) and I took a long hilly bike ride through the back country in Tonga.
Top right, Catholic church in the town of Neiafu. Top right, Free Church of Tonga in the small village of Tefisi.
Bottom left, Pete is on the right side. Bottom right, Pete is on the right side. Pete had a great time scuba diving. He saw sea horses, many fish, corals, giant clams and sea snakes. He even saw and heard a humpback whale. He swam along ledges, through tunnels and into caves.
The crew from Aurora after they took first place in the Tonga Friday Fun Race. From left, Pete (La Boatique), Mike (Renaitre), Susan (Nepenthe), Rob, the skipper (Aurora), Peter (Phoenix), Silke (Hanta Yo), and Barry (Cherokee).
Three boys paddled their outrigger canoes to our boat for a visit. We were anchored in our favorite anchorage in all of Tonga, known as number 7. Number 7 was a calm uninhabited bay with a sandy beach, clear water, great snorkeling, great kayaking, and shade covered hiking trails. We swam in two nearby caves chiseled out of steep cliff walls. One cave was large enough for us to motor in with the dinghy. Both caves had light filtering through from overhead.
Anchorage number 8 in Vavau, Tonga was off a small uninhabitted lovely island. But it did not offer protection from windy weather . So we only stayed here for a day.
Pete caught 2 mahi mahis on our way to the Ha'apai
group of islands.
Humpback whale paralleled our course as we departed Ha'afeva.
Mike from Renaitre caught this mahi mahi on the way to Nomuka Island.
Bow Bells heads south to New Zealand.
For the complete story including never before seen fantastic pictures and maps order the Book.