[password] hinckley49
[status]
DANG! Bad news came our way when we woke from our naps...bad weather on its way. Gale force winds and 15 ft waves predicted to hit Beveridge reef Monday and Tuesday. We think we would be safe inside the lagoon, but, the forecast for our onward westward March wouldn't look good until the following Monday, the 31st. It was only discussed for a minute or two, we had to leave the reef and head for Niue or Tonga. Niue was high on our list of places to visit as it is a whale mating spot and thousands (of whales) arrive for the fun this time of year. Problem with Niue is the anchorage is not at all protected from SE winds and the only way to get ashore is to dinghy to a crane which plucks you and your dinghy out of the water. Sounds like fun in normal conditions, not so much in gales and rotten weather. So Vava'u, Tonga it is, 2 1/2 day sail west. We did force ourselves to snorkel in Beveridge. It was spectacular! The water clarity has not been matched in all our travels to date. Th
e coral was out of this world, white tipped sharks, huge trumpet and puffer fish and the usual multitude of amazing other fish. We were shivering but it was worth it. Quiet night and we were off around 9am. Again many whales were at the pass for our entertainment.[END]