Tonga!

Fresh produce at the Neiafu outdoor market

We have arrived in Tonga!  After a two day passage with some challenging moments...we arrived in Neiafu, Tonga,  in the VaVa'u group of islands.  We weathered a tropical squall with winds to 45 knots that lasted for 8 hours!  This was our first real storm and it was scary. We had a new crew member, Layla on passage to Tonga, and this was her first experience with heavy weather, too.  We were sailing along in the evening with overcast skies, when all of a sudden the wind clocked 180 degrees.  Instantly, the wind and rain clobbered us and sent the boat healing over!

Layla practicing (knots) tying John up!

 There was only time to respond by furling in the genoa, closing hatches and zipping up the dodger.  John jumped on the helm  to hand steer while being plummeted by wind and rain.  Layla and I hunkered down in foul  weather gear.  I was elected to go forward and tether in the main. OMG!  Scary! I "monkey-wrapped" my arms around the sail and pulled in the final last quarter.  This really helped lessen the weather helm, but John looked like the "old man and the sea" in his foulies with rain pelting at him, hand steering. We held on during the night running "bare poles"(no sails) sailing with the wind at 7 knots boat speed! Morning light finally came and we could see land...Tonga! Yeah! We made it! The rain and wind subsided...we cruised into Nieafu harbor to complete check-in at customs.

Local vendors selling produce

Local weaver at the market

Taxi service to outer islands

Typical house in Tonga

Catholic church has daily services with beautiful singing to be heard  across the anchorage.

We are excited to explore this quaint little town, busy with services catering to tourism specializing in dive tours, whale watching and cruiser services; beer, Internet and laundry! The local population speaks English (thankfully) and Tongan. Tonga is an independent nation with no financial backing from a larger country. This makes it much more economically challenged. The locals struggle to make a living offering tours, native feasts and peddling handicrafts.

School girls

Charming kids welcome us!

 High school boys in traditional uniform

Buying lollipops at the candy store

Farmer feeding his pigs with cracked coconuts

Grass skirts hanging to dry

Our crew, Layla carries our just purchased coconuts back to the boat

Anchorage in Nieafu harbor

We have scheduled a swim with the whales tomorrow. I hope we are successful! Post more later.