Journal Entry May 31

Tuesday 31 May 2011

19d 47.841 S, 174d 21.200 W

Pangai, Lifuka Island, Ha’apai, Kingdom of Tonga

Hello Folks,

The morning started with the arrival of the large red Tongan Ferry, the one we mentioned seeing in Nuku’Alofa.  It seemed to come straight at our gaggle of anchored sailboats, and then it stopped.  We thought, “hmmm could we possibly be in its way?”  It seemed like we had left plenty of room, but why had the boat stopped?  It turned out the ferry was waiting for the fuel tanker docked in the Pangai Harbor to pull out and make room for it.  The ferry unloaded on the wharf for about an hour and then it was on its way again before we went ashore.

We went to the customs office and checked in and out more or less smoothly–according to the Ha’apai office we were lacking the proper clearance form from Nuku’Alofa, but it didn’t take long for them to decide to clear us for Vava’u anyway.  We also picked up a few fresh vegetables at the small market and bread from the bakery at Lindsay Guest House.

Later in the afternoon we returned to shore to use the internet at Mariner’s cafe. Many of the rally sailors were there and we have been getting to know a few of them. In particular had interesting conversations with s/y Muritai (means “ocean breeze” in NZ Maori)and s/y Kharisma II (pronounced like “charisma”), a Bavarian yacht owned by some Kiwis who immigrated from Germany to NZ at an early age.  Mediterraneo, Sea Esta, Noe Noe, Rasputin, and Pincoya have been close neighbors the last few days as well.

Weather conditions developed today that will mean we either leave tomorrow for the northern island group of Vava’u or be stuck in Ha’apai for four or five days in uncomfortable conditions.  So it looks like most of the boats, including Larabeck, will be moving on tomorrow.

herzlichen Gruessen,

Michael and Sharon

s/v Larabeck