Adventure Backpackers Lodge Vava'u

... a dream to swim with mantas, she tried to persuade me to jump straight into the water with it but I wasn't too sure, being concerned that it might be some strange shark or the dreadful spindly killer fish and that I might be it's breakfast. Once we could see it clearly it was obviously a manta so I jumped in and swam with it for a while (with mask and snorkel), then we swapped and Carol swam with ...

... the singing was from so few people! The service finished and we headed in to find Dr Edkar, we were told he was on annual leave and directed towards the wards to meet Dr Siae, a doctor from Tongatapu who is covering for him for 2 weeks. Dr Siae was really lovely, and is a very funny man. The ward round was pretty strange as there was only about 8 patients, mostly babies born the night before and children with pneumonia, and walking ...

... minute walk (in this heat anyway) to the hospital! So we're happy, and at $50 Pa'anga a night which is about 16GBP, we're VERY happy!!<br><br>Then disaster struck ......we were there about an hour or so and out of nowhere the heavens opened....and boy did it rain! It down poured for the rest of the day none stop!!! We decided to venture out for some food anyway and ended up at The Balcony Restaurant and Bar. This is a ...

... so terrible why don't you f***ing stay at home? Nowhere opened in the evening so back to Aquarium to see if the Kiwi fisherboy we had met on Saturday night managed to score with the Patsy Kensit looky-likey. Judges decision - inconclusive. Early to bed for early start and flight to Eu'A via Tongatapu. Arrived at the airport to find the entire cast of "Ric and Andy in Vava'U" waiting for the same plane. I realise its a small island, but we had ...

... showing their white underbellies. We have seen lots of tail fins, and pectoral waving, and footprints in the water. A full day on the water, lots of the group getting quite sea sick, very rough with wind. But you can't help the weather, just go with it. Please pass on to Gary, can't seem to get hold of him. Today will be a day off the water, we are going on a Kart safari for 3 hours, told to wear old clothes as they are likely to be ruined. More adventure.

... great friends. Really nice sail to Fiji. Met up with lots of cruising friends there. Great dives in Taveuni with colorful and beautiful soft coral (in the rain). Good Indian food. Javier left the boat for land activities. Alex went to Vanuatu with hilarious Scots. I finished the varnish and flew home on a flight that a deported American tried to comandeer. (What he failed to calculate is that ...

... the dive boat and we set off, past islands filled with chattering flying foxes. Paul, our dive master from yesterday, was driving the boat, and Carolyn was DM. Sione had listened to my request for better weather and had organised it; the sun was out and the waters were calmer. Our dives today were filled with pretty and pristine coral, and were great macro dives; we found nudibranches, ghost pipefish, little crabs and a tiny juvenile ...

... golden sand, nestling in turquoise lagoons. I wished I was in one of the treasured window seats, especially as both men fell fast asleep after take-off and were oblivious to the view. Then the cloud closed in and the turbulence began. Landing the tiny craft in windy Vava'u was an interesting experience as the plane weaved, shook and bucked around, trying to decide between the runway, sea or a coconut plantation as it's prefered landing site. Touch down was remarkably smooth ...

For now, just a quick word... Every Friday night in Vava'u, anyone who is eager can enter their boat in the weekly race held in the Port of Refuge. If you are without sail, you can hop aboard a boat that is entered and help crew, or just be the onbard cheer squad. It's a great way to start the night...with awards and drinks after.

... where there were no other yachts. The wind gradually picked up through the afternoon and we ended up having to spend the night on anchor watch as the winds were a constant 40-45 kts! It was the most sustained wind I've ever experienced - great for Jack and Catherine as first-time sailors!!! The next morning the wind was still howling so we set off with 2 reefs in the mainsail and half of the genoa out and headed for Vava'u making a good 7-8kts. We ...