Now moving south through Tonga. Had a good time in Vava'u. Went to two Kava drinking ceremonies (noxious slightly druglike drink made from ground Kava roots. Its all the rage in Tonga and Fiji but it tastes and looks like muddy water!).
Also went to a Tongan feast on a beach, very tasty. Also had children dancing Tongan style and good Ukelele music too.
On our way from Vava'u to Ha'appi we saw loads of whales, some breeching, others just flapping their tails. As we were approaching the first anchor spot three whales were dead ahead. We stared with awe, which then turned to dread when they didn't move. Neil grabbed the wheel, disengaged the auto-pilot and we swerved out of the way, then he saw the depth sounder read 104 feet as one dived down beneath us. Fortunately it swam away and did not re-surface with us perched on it's back!!
The weather is better now tradewinds are back and the clouds have cleared.
The islands in this group are very small, poorly charted, have beautiful sandy beaches, lots of coral and fish on the reefs. The Tongan people are very reserved but pleasant. They are very religious and dress very conservatively. They wear strange rush/straw mats around their waists. They look like they have picked up the kitchen mat the tied it around their middle. They seem bulky, hot and not very flattering. Most people wear black long skirts, the men too, the clothes seem interchangeable between men and women. We have some pictures so, hopefully, we can publish them when in Nuku'alofa (then most southerly group) - we should be there next week.
Off to the village to buy some potatoes to put on our beach bonfire we are having along with another boat tonight. They said they had ordered a full PIG to cook!!!! Not sure if they are joking......if it turns up I hope its gutted - we should be really full after a full pig between 6 of us!
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