Matafonua Lodge Ha'apai

We flew to the Vava'u Islands on a tiny airplane, like a flying cigar tube. Lots of beeping noises from the cockpit which were a bit alarming until we got used to it. The views down on the reefs and islands were stunning. We picked up our yacht Finvarra, an Oceanis 331, she's a bit older than we had expected and has a number of peculiar quirks which we have had to get used to, but she sails OK - here ...

After l*st nights shen*****ns we *ll felt pretty hung over this morning *nd w*s not up for doing much so we w*lked into town *nd *sked *round to find * be*ch resort to go to. Lis* *t Tropic*n* set us up with * t*xi for Tong*n Be*ch Resort on Ut*ng*ke isl*nd. This isl*nd is *ccessible by ro*d, *nd so we just l*zed there for the whole d*y. It w*s quiet drizzily ...

... We wandered back through town in the pouring rain (thankgod i packed my umberella...thanks adele) and ended up at Tropicana, the main internet cafe in town. We had some breakfast and then headed back to the apartment where we met Josie and Billy. josie and Billy are an English couple who are staying next door to us at Island Explorer. They normally live in a tepee on an island somewhere in Va'vau but have been rained off this week and are ...

... Tongatapu had been and was just absolutely incredible to see. We flew over the Port of Refuge and to a little clearing on the north side of the island which had a single building to the side of it - this was the airport, and again I nearly died - now I really know what palpitations feel like!! Ha!! However, the landing was actually great.<br><br>We were greeted by a lovely Tongan man, Peile who transferred us from the ...

... of midnight the heavens opened and the most torrential rain I have ever seen or heard drummed on the corregated tin roof until 7 am when we had o get up for the fishing trip. Depite concerns that the weather would wreck the day (if not the boat) we left with Henk (Dutch/Kiwi skipper of Target One); Te'O (the local crew with 4 teeth) and picked up Mark (NZ lawyer/fellow tourist). Once we left port the skies cleared and we went looking for fish ...

A night of dancing and countless ikale, Andy being smooth with the locals and an astonishing day of swimming with Whales. Pacific Humpback whales come to Tonga - not for the cheap beer, but for the warm waters in which they give birth to and nurse their calves. We took a trip out on a rickety boat and within an hour had found our ...

Little Plane to Vava'U... View from little plane: azure sea broken by hairline surf highlighted reefs and tiny beach ringed atols, this is truly the stuff holiday brochures are made of (no photo sorry)... friendly Australian girl on transfer (no photo sorry).. more accomodation confusion... found alternative lodgings in the craziest little house ...

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.

... the see was really choppy, all of us we feeling pretty dodgy and our stomachs were feeling th waves. <br><br>After 6 hours we finally reached Tofua and was greeted by th sight of Kao an extinct volcano just opposite Tofua looming out of the water in a cone shape as th whole island was the actual volcano, it was quite a sight. From the small fishing boat we had to take a small dingy to the rocky side of the island and one by one scramble over the rocks and boulders ...