[password]waiknot
[position]19 48.060S 174 21.182W

[status]
Now in Pangai, Lifuka Island, the main center of the Ha'apai Group. Devastation from hurricane Ian (back in January)is clearly visible here with many damaged buildings, roofing ripped off and whole houses moved from their foundations. Other Islands we have been to in the Ha'apai Group look pristine so it appears that Lifuka got the worst of it. Have updated the blog with more info about our recent travels.

[blog]
After another visit to the village in Ha'afeva and giving away more reading glasses on Thursday, we headed over to Limu Island on the eastern side of the Ha'apai Group. Crystal clear water - the best visibility you can imagine. The snorkeling at Limu on Friday was so good we decided to go for a dive on Saturday and we were not disappointed - this had to be one of the best dives we have ever had. So many different kinds of fish and such an amazing array of different coral - the place is thronging with life below the surface! After that we visited another little uninhabited island and Karl slaughtered some coconuts with an axe. We drank the fresh juice straight from the coconut on the shore - very refreshing! Back on the boat Heather made coconut milk from the flesh but it was rather a messy business with pulverised coconut flying about - much easier to buy it in cans from now on ;-) On Sunday we stopped at Uiha Island and the people here seem quite well off with nice houses an
d surf boards and dive gear. Monday was drizzling with rain, so we caught 20L water in our rain catcher, did some washing and baked a fruit cake. In the afternoon we motored over to Uoleva Island and got there in time for the sun to come out. We went for a snorkel and a walk on the golden sandy beach while the washing dried and then caught up with friends for a drink at the Uoleva Yacht Club (a beach bar). Today we snorkeled the southern reef of Uoleva Island - one of the best snorkeling sites yet. Shallow water, packed with coral gardens, clear water and different shapes and colours of fish hovering in every nook. Arrived in Pangai, Lifuka Island this afternoon and will stay here for a few days.

[diving]
position: 20 1.625S 174 28.269W
title: Limu Rise
A cluster of large coral heads rising up to 3m depth, surrounded by sandy bottom at a depth of 20m. The water here is crystal clear, the best visibility you can get. The rocky coral rise is encrusted with a multitude of different corals, with thousands of fish. Too many different kinds of reef fish to count them all, incredible colours, shapes and sizes. One of the best dives ever.

[snorkeling]
position: 19 51.123S 174 25.463W
title:Uoleva South
Great spot for beginners, either straight off the sandy beach or from the boat. This sheltered site is packed with a variety of coral. Very calm water, nice and shallow so it is easy to get up close to all the beautiful little fish. Amazing numbers of fish, with new shapes and colours every few meters. Incredible!
[END]