After we had spent a few days in Neiafu and had made our reservation for the boatyard a few days later, we decided to join Del Viento for a little getaway in Hunga Lagoon. We had been there twice before, once with Lady Carolina when Yi and Johnny were visiting and once with Dad and Karen. Both times we had anchored on a small shallow patch on the south side of the lagoon (near the Google logo on the satellite image below). This time around we snagged one of the new mooring balls at Hunga Haven.
Hunga Haven wasn’t really a resort yet, but they have big plans, and they already had a couple Tongan fales in place. We knew of the owner Barry because he does the daily weather report on the morning VHF radio net. Barry had a problem, though, and that is the old sailboat mast that he uses to elevate his VHF antenna was blown over in cyclone Winston. So, Exodus and Del Viento came to the rescue and helped him hoist it back up. Mostly just Tim and Mike helped while Alex played photographer.
We had a great couple of days there, and Barry and Cindy from Hunga Haven were very hospitable. There was also another resort nearby called Fofoa cabins (call sign Happy Appy on VHF) and they have kids who invited our gang over one afternoon to play.
Satellite image of Hunga Lagoon
Del Viento and Exodus on the moorings at Hunga Haven
Brenden and the girls from Del Viento find a kitty to play with
Hoisting Barry’s VHF antenna at Hunga Haven
Giving the Portland Pudgy a tow
No, I wasn’t calling Mike “Portland Pudgy,” that’s the name of their dinghy!
Gresham Family Exodus 