Vava'u 2004 cont. click pictures to enlarge

Neiafu is the ain city in Vava'u and it is certainly buzzing with activity. We touched on this city for a few short weeks last season and, again, had a ball visiting with other cruisers in the countless bars/yacht clubs and restaurants that cater to the multitude of yachts that visit here every year. There is a terrific outdoor market here where we could provision with loads of fresh vegetables and fruits before we took off to cruise the many anchorages around the group. The locals also sold their intricate woven baskets and bone carvings at the market and were always willing to bargain on prices.

Entrance off the water to Popau island resort

There are quite a few small resorts on the various islands here, some nicer than others, but all have a true south sea island, paradise feel that would be a perfect peaceful get-away. We would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a acation that is the quintessential south sea island escape. Along with some of the best snorkling in the world the island's biggest draw are the migrations of the humpback whales from the cold waters in the Antartic to the warm and protected waters of Vava'u. While here, these massive animals languidly grace the waters while ating and giving birth to their young.

The young people in Vava'u were equally as delightful as the sea life there. We had many opportunities to meet and greet them, as this time when four young boys paddled out to say hello not 5 minutes after we anchored

After sayng goodbye to Clay, as he was flyng back to the States, we also said goodbye to Vava'u on August 11 right before sunset and set sail for the far north Tongan island of Niuatoputopu.

Clay hamming it up

We loved the office for the newly formed Niu Airlines

Niuatoputapu

Coming into NIuatoputapu is most assuredly like going back a couple of hundred years. Here, they hae no electricity, stores or restaurants and only as recent as one year ago had phone lines put on the island. Because it is so remote, 160 miles from Vava'u, tourism has not really hit this little island. They do have a small grass airstrip that did bring people and goods onto the island about twice a week but with the recent fall of the Royal Tongan Airlines, the current working airline cannot fit their planes on the airstrip. Therefore the only little resort that was here cloded down and the young, Italian couple that ran it left and went back to Italy. Niuatoputapu does have a very nice, large, protected lagoon and a proper warf, so they get a supply ship in every now and then, and some yachts, like us traveling to Samoa or Fiji from Vava'u or vice-a-versa will stop here.

We were here for one week and thoroughly enjoyed it. The people were extraordinarily friendly, and with the exception of the children begging for lollies(candy), very polite. We met one couple, Sia and Nico, who we quickly befriended and made many trades of fishing gear, clothes and school supplies for papays, bananas and fresh mango-coconut juice. We spent one special evening with them when they came to the boat bringing delicious fish soaked in coconut cream and steamed island yams. This was the first time I really loved the yams they sere often in these islands. After eating this fabulous meal and sharing great conversation in the cockpit, we went down below and played the DVD "Bruce Almighty" for them. Luckily, they spoke ery good English and had a great sense of humor, so I think they enjoyed it very much.

Great view of Niuatoputapu from the top of Tafahi, the volcano island

Young dancers at a primary school fundraiser in Niatoputapu

Nico took us to the island he was born on, Tafahi, just an hour boat ride away. He led us on a long hike all the way to the top of the volcano, 2000 feet high. It was fantastic to walk straight up steep hills that give you the feeling you hae been transported back in time at least 200 years. It was a tough hike but the view from the top well worth it.

Resident of Tafahi

Plantation burning on Tafahi

click here to return home

After sharing a massive Tongan potluck that Sia organized with the many yachts that were currently anchored in the lagoon, we left for Samoa on Sunday afternoon, August 22.

Sunset over Tafahi