August 23-25, 2014
Anchorage #2 is just up the channel from Neiafu, but it was a nice getaway from the “hustle and bustle of the big city.” We actually had a bit of a tough time finding a place to drop the anchor amongst the mooring balls and with the steep bottom, but eventually we settled in. Our first morning there I was greeted by a pod of whales while I was drinking my coffee. I have no idea why they were so far in the harbor, but I enjoyed the show, nonetheless. I was glad when they started making their way back to the harbor entrance while it was still early, so maybe they could get away before the whale watching tour operators started for business.
We found out that the station to fill up propane is very nearby, and we were able to tie the dinghy up to a dock in front of a rental house that was currently vacant. So, filling propane was quite easy. Although, to be accurate, it was butane, not propane. Since we arrived in the pacific it’s been butane rather than propane, the main difference being that the butane is at a lower pressure, and it seems like the oven doesn’t get quite as hot, but that’s a subjective observation. I’ve never measured it.
The highlight of this anchor spot (well, other than the whales) was taking the dinghy up the causeway between the main island of ‘Uta Vava’u and Pangaimotu at low tide. We were able to walk over the road out to the other side and explore along the reef. We met a man named Paul who has built a house in the causeway, and we got a rambunctious welcome from his four dogs. He let us park our dinghy near his house, and the boys enjoyed playing with the dogs. The next day when Lady Carolina joined us, we made another shore excursion and walked to the small village of Toula and climbed down to Veimumuni Cave with a freshwater pool in it. The water looked quite stagnant, but there were people swimming in it. We all passed but enjoyed another day of exploring the reef at low tide.
Also near anchorage #2 in the middle of the harbor is the wreck of the copra ship Clan MacWilliam, which caught fire and sank in 1927. It lies in about 30m of water, and Tim didn’t dive on it this time, but stay tuned, because he will. Without tanks.
Gresham Family Exodus 