[p]beale12.4
[s]
pos: 19 51.04s 174 24.9w
Date: 03/06/2017 16:00 gmt+1300
Correction with updated date in June. Sorry for the confusion.
Anchored in paradise with Joanne on board at last; drinking nearly cold wine and beer, eating 2-week old but perfectly moist gingerbread made to Anne's not-so-secret recipe. Revelling in 27 degree air and water temperature, swimming, making the most of the tropical dream. Rain is coming next week, but for today we are getting we we signed up for and we are so, so happy with the cruising life.
There was a splendid party at the Ha'Apai beach resort on wednesday 31st May; six or seven boats and their crews celebrated our joint achievement - crossing an ocean just because.
Jo flew in yesterday in a tiny flying flea, and as she came across the huge, deep blue sea across the tiny set of dots that is the Ha' apai, she saw one boat floating off the golden shore of Pangai. And that was our boat - the mighty Manutaki, resplendent in glorious isolation. Yep, that's why we came!
So stage one is done, and we have moved into the lazy stage 2, idling through Tonga. We will leave for Vava'u Tuesday. Joanne's first ocean crossing. 72 miles, 9 to 12 hours and we need to arrive in daylight, so an early start that day.

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