August 5-11, 2014
Logbook – August 5, 2014 (Pago Pago to Neiafu)
Passage Log Highlights
- 0751 Engines on
- 0808 Depart Pago Pago
- 0859 Engines off. Main (2 reefs) + genoa (1 reef). TWS 18.9 kts ESE
- Fish on- Dorado
- 1733 Main (2 reefs) + genoa (2 reefs). TWS 23.7 kts E
Logbook – August 6, 2014 (Pago Pago to Neiafu)
Passage Log Highlights
- 0000 Main (2 reefs) + genoa (2 reefs). TWS 18.8 kts SE
Logbook – August 7-8, 2014 (Pago Pago to Neiafu)
Passage Log Hightlights
- 0625 Land Ho!
- 0810 SB engine on sails down
- 1310 engines off @ mooring ball
Daily Notes
- Clearing in + walk to Immigration. Piggie crossing!
- Beers @ Mango cafe
- Time change, rather day change – jump ahead 24 hours
Email to family and friends dated August 8, 2014
Subject: Exodus – Arrived in Vava’u
After our worst passage yet, we arrived today in Vava’u, Tonga, safe and sound on a mooring ball. The passages just keep getting worse, and I wonder how it was ever possible that I spent 22 days at sea without (too much) complaining. We crossed the international dateline on the way here, so we completely missed August 7 (sorry Danna, no birthday for you!) We were the third boat in the queue to clear in this morning, and they tried to tell us to tie up to the container ship dock that had these huge rubber tire fenders that would have hit just above our deck, so we passed on that and waited until we could tie up along side a fishing boat with a very kind and helpful crew. The officials from customs, health, and quarantine came to our boat and after a sufficient amount of snacks, fees, and other things they asked for we were free to go and then we tied up to mooring ball and walked to the immigration office. The immigration official did not ask for anything, and he was very pleasant. Then Tim and I enjoyed our “safe arrival cocktails” onshore, and the local brew is not half bad. Tomorrow there is an “agricultural fair” that is all the buzz. I don’t know what an “agricultural fair” means in Tonga, but the King of Tonga is supposed to be there, so we won’t miss it.
Love and miss you all,
-D.
Logbook – August 9, 2014 (Neiafu)
Daily Notes
- D – run in the light rain
- Family outing to agricultural fair – saw the King
- D/T – stop for drinks @ Marina Wine Bar then Mango Cafe
- LC over for drinks after dinner
Logbook – August 10, 2014 (Neiafu)
Daily Notes
- Boat day. T/Steve fixed SB exit macerator. School & cleaning
Email to family and friends dated August 10, 2014
Subject: Exodus – Still in Neiafu
The weather is still wet and gray, and it seems like forever since we’ve had a nice sunny day. But the wind isn’t bad and the anchorage is very flat, so it’s pleasant, all the same. We went to the agricultural fair on Saturday, and note to self… when someone tells you the fair is at the high school it would be good to see if there is more than one high school in town. Yes, we walked all over trying to find it, but at least we got to see more of the town. The fair itself was like any street fair in Hermosa Beach, for example. Vendors selling all sorts of food, handicrafts, jewelry, clothing, artwork, everything. Including whole raw octopuses (or is it octopi?) and sharks, so maybe not quite like Hermosa Beach. By the time we got there, though, they had shut down all the shopping for the ceremony which included speeches/prayers (in Tongan) by all sorts of important looking stately officials, including the King himself. Afterwards, the King and his entourage walked around the shopping stalls and greeted all of his minions. We crossed the security lines a little before we were supposed to since the King was still touring around, but the security guards just watched us and didn’t stop us. Not exactly the secret service. We enjoyed some tasty cinnamon rolls and vanilla ice cream, and then made our way back to town. Yesterday, it rained all day, and we didn’t leave the boat. The boys and I did school and cleaned while Tim and Steve (Lady Carolina) fixed one of our macerator pumps, so we are back to a two hole boat, yay! We have friends arriving tomorrow from the U.S. so today will be more cleaning and shopping.
Love and miss you all,
-D.
Logbook – August 11, 2014 (Neiafu)
Daily Notes
- D – another run in the light rain
- T – fixed B’s macerator, yay 3 hole boat
- Duty free still expensive
Gresham Family Exodus 