[password] TwinkY6433
[position] 20 16.44S 174 48.51W
[weather] E 16 knots, 1018 baro
[speed] Anchored off Nomuka Iki Island, Tonga
[heading]
[status] We were planning to snorkel today, but the ?Eco Resort? on the big island offered rides across the channel (sorry, the use of the word ?resort? is a pretty generous description. It?s basically a shed for the lounge, kitchen etc, and then some tents for the accomodation). Anyway, they called the fleet up and offered a free trip over to their premises for a paid lunch. We were the only ones that didn?t partake of the lunch which we didn?t mind as we had a big breakfast, but we had a fantastic time anyway. They have a whole bunch of rescue dogs (up to 7 sometimes) who are lovely natured and very friendly. We went for a walk along the beach and found some nice shells, and then walked into town. Again, ?town? was a pretty loose description and anyone who has been to a remote tropical island will know what I mean when I say they live pretty basic lives. Lots of skinny dogs, (unlike the ?resort? ones), a heap of pigs, a few horses, plus the odd child, were all roaming free. We avoided the church (didn?t want to be struck by lightening for ?snorkelling? on the anchor yesterday), and just walked along the shore. Saw heaps of cool butterflies, collected a few frangipani flowers, marvelled at the amount of rubbish lying around, and then headed back to the ?resort?. We are still waiting for the wind to die down so we can head SE (upwind) to some other anchorages, but in the mean time we are getting to know some of the other cruisers and there?s talk of a beach bbq tomorrow. We have until Saturday to be at Pangai so no point in rushing (and only due there so the King of Tonga can marvel at all the anchor lights in the bay from the fleet). We are of course invited to have lunch with him the following week at an island slightly to the south. Now, where did I put that tiara? .....

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