[password] TwinkY6433
[position] 18 41.675S 173 59.925W
[weather] SE 7 knots, 1018 baro
[speed] Anchored in Aisea?s Beach, Vava?u, Tonga.
[heading]
[status] We got up and were out of the anchorage just after midnight for the trip up to Vava?u. It was a pretty good sail in up to 20knots of wind, and into the 8 knots of boat speed. Because of the underwater topography, this passage is always a bit lumpy. Unfortunately we didn?t spot any whales during daylight, or snag ourselves a fresh feed of fish, despite trying to do both on the way. The contrast between the landscape of the Ha?apai and Vava?u is always striking. The Ha?apai?s are quite low lining sanding islands, while Vava?u is volcanic, cliffy and very deep water until you get close to shore. We are now tucked up in a little bay surrounded by cliffs, which should offer excellent protection from the reinforced trade winds (30+ knots) that are due over the next 2-3 days. We have a well dug in anchor, plenty of chain, lots of swing room, and good friends (The Big V) nearby for socialising - the best way to ride out a blow :). The anchorage has a bonus of lots of lovely bird call during the day, and now that the sun has gone down, we are in the cockpit listening to the cicadas, watching the bats soar above the tree line, and having a pink drink.

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