[password] hinckley49
[status]
Vava'u update. I've waited to write about Vava'u until I was defrosted. The sun is out, the winds have lightened, the air temp has risen and we are loving Vava'u. The first week was the opposite and we spent most of our time in Neiafu supporting local restaurants, bars and Internet cafes. The town needs a major cleanup which is sad. Litter is abundant, pigs and dogs run wild. Good news is that the local people are very friendly and fun. Tim and Ceci are back in Australia moving the new boat from Sydney to New Castle and sorting out the project lists. They say the boat sailed beautifully and they are over the moon happy with her. John and I are exploring the southern anchorages and have found a beautiful spot. Snorkeling, swimming, paddleboarding, beach-combing and whale watching. The Vava'u islands are in the height of their busy whale watching season. Licensed boats bring visitors out to see and SWIM with the humpbacks cows and calves daily. Reports and videos from other cr
uisers that have swam with the whales have been spectacular.[END]