Puataukanave International Hotel Neiafu

... in an underground oven.We didn't really know what most of it was (imagine Owen's face) but we ate our fill and it looked like we had hardly started! The local children performed traditional Tongan dances and songs. The next day we left the anchorage and headed out to sea. As we entered the next bay, Carol sighted something in the water that she thought might be a manta ray. Knowing that I ...

... 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 ...

... 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!! 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 ...

... 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 ...

... calf who were singing to each other and playing just 10 metres below us. This was a truly amazing experience, only slightly tarnished by the large group of Kiwis who were also on our boat. A nap then some food at The bounty and it was time for Quiz night at Tonga Bobs. We came in a dismal 4th place, but then who knew that a ...

... room clad only in a towel.(no photo sorry)... Ahh.. if only he could remember it. Today we relocated to Adventure Backpackers, booked our trips (whale watching and sport fishing), hired some sea kayaks and went out paddling round Port of Refuge, stopping off at tiny beaches and the occaisional dock before fighting the waves and wind to get back ...

... 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.

On the free day, we explored the little town and the markets. Very fresh produce. The Kart safari was great, souped up Go Karts with roll cages. Off the beaten track through very rough tracks, with a guide. We were taken to some beautiful lookouts at the most eastern and northerly points of the island. Saw a Bat colony and beautiful beaches with history and legend abounds. The island much ...

... kunne fly lik tid som oss... Heldigvis fikk han ikke gjort det, og vi har ikke sett ham siden...Haaper vi aldri ser ham igjen,for en plagsom fyr! Tyskere er noen merkelig folk! Lordagsmorgen tok vi flyet til Va'vau oygruppen,som skal vaere de fineste i Tonga, masse seilere her fra hele verden, er en av verdens beste seilerdestinasjoner. Flyet var en spennende opplevelse, for det forste maatte vi veies for vi gikk paa flyet, sikkert fordi folk er saa overvektige her, vi fikk ...

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.