[password] zmu3791nzl9424
[position] 19 53.433S 174 24.911W
[status] We have been to some gorgeous little islands and enjoyed some beautiful beach walks. Along the way always looking for the perfect shells to add to the collection. Our first little island stop was Kelefesia which had an anchorage for only 5 boats surrounded by reef. But what a place. Crystal clear water in close, with white sand underneath. The island was large/small enough to walk the whole way round. After staying here for two nights we went further North to Nomuka Iki. A bit of navigating getting into here but lovely when you put the anchor down and relax. We were greeted here by two black tip sharks that stayed around for awhile making us apprehensive about swimming. Glen's idea that Sharks are Friends is not always so!!
At this island there is a ship wreck that we explored but it has been hollowed out and only the hull is on view now. From Malakite we watched and listened to a local man on the beach heading across the bay to the next village. His dog keep woofing and obviously wanted to go along as well. So he paddled after his owner in the dinghy. He dog paddled past us and we cheered him on but he swam for 1.8 kms to Nomuka, crazy with the black tips down there and it was just getting dark. Hopefully he made it!! The things you see. After leaving here the next day we went to Uonukuhihifo, for those who want to try pronouncing this, OO-oh-NOO-Koo-hee-HEE-foh. This is a large sand bar group of islands. Lots more exploring and the occasional added addition to the shell basket. The next morning Anj went for a paddle board and found a large Painted Cray body. Glen and Karl got the flippers out to find some live crayfish but none to be found in the Reef ?? however on shore Karl found a rock pool with some crays in it. He managed to get 4 which was a nice change to our diet. Thanks Karl. The crays started of as a blue colour but once cooked turned the more traditional bright orange. Yummy crayfish pasta for dinner that night. Thanks Anj. The next day Karl and Anj were leaving us so we went into Pangai which is where the airport is. First we had to do our coastal clearance into the Ha'apai group from Nuku'alofa. We found the customs office reasonably easy and the lady there also helped us obtain a car for getting Karl and Anj to the airport. There are no taxis here so she told us she would organise for her husband to take them but it ended up being her taking them, which was really nice. The airport is 3kms from where we dropped them into Pangai. Tongan people love ice cream, who doesn't right?? We had a Tip Top ice cream cone here and in Nuku'alofa. You can also buy 2 litre tubs that are in freezers alongside your traditional frozen root veges and meat. Since saying goodbye to our guests we have been hanging around a bit due to either big swells or winds and just recently heavy rain ??Not what the brochure promised!!! We have meet some new people, one family living on the Peninsula not far from us. Small world really. Yesterday was Glen's birthday. It was a calm but overcast day so we headed across the bay to a little uninhabited island surrounded by Reef for lunch and a walk around. Then back to our previous anchorage for the night. Heavy rain and wind overnight and still raining now as I write. It feels like that kind of day where a movie and popcorn might be the thing to do. We are all good on board and looking forward to some adventuring before we leave here next Wednesday and head to Vavau.

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