[password] NZL9424A27
[position] 19.53S 174.24W
[status] We left Uonukuhihifo Island and had our first real sail since being in Tonga. We sailed to an island called Ha'afeva, about 12 nm away, but reasonably straight sailing not so much of the dodging reefs that we had been doing. Most of the fleet had come and gone from this place but we were one of five boats anchored. We dingyed around and invited everyone for sundowners on Malakite. It has been good meeting a few people at a time. Friday Glen and I and two other boats all walked into the village. Previous people had done this and said it was good. The village was so well looked after. Someone was mowing the lawn of the Morman church and all other churches are behind fenced walls but all beautiful buildings. There are 47 families on the island and 6 churches. There is only 1 family that attend the Catholic Church. We went to the primary school and interacted with the head teacher and his class. When he found out we were from NZ he told us he had taught a guy who plays for the All Blacks. His name is Malaci Vacotoa. The teacher was most proud telling us. We also meet Anna who sold us some fruit from her home and promised to give a cooking lesson the next day using breadfruit. On our walk back to the boats we were intercepted by Charlie. He was a big guy with a huge Afro and top pony tail. Quite a character. He walked us to his garden where we got more fruit and cassava, which is a root vegetable similar to potato. He shook pawpaw, oranges, lemons and limes from the trees. Yum. He then showed us how he feed his pigs. He had whole coconuts and started to split them with a machete while calling them. The pigs that previously were not seen suddenly appeared from the undergrowth and drank the coconut water he had poured into a bucket and then proceeded to eat the coconut flesh out of the shell. They were the happiest pigs wagging there tails, just like a dog with a bone. We had our cooking lesson making chips and shallow frying. Yum. Have left Ha'afeva and are now at Uiha Island, pronounced Weeha, and are going to church this morning with our other boaties. All is good onboard.[END]