Vava'u

I already reported that Vava'u is a wonderfully different group of islands. We have enjoyed a great week so far and kept moving around. The anchorages are gorgeous and mostly very calm with birds and cicade (Grillen) singing. I felt like at home in spring time, only that at home I cannot swim 100m to the next reef and see this colourful underwater world. Only whales have not given us audience yet. Almost everybody I know had the chance to snorkel next to one and take great photos. Well, never give up the hope.

Besides all the nature something there is something else happening here. There was a race from the 10th til today. It included lots of party and information activities (supported by the marinas in New Zealand who expect all of us sailors there). There was a short in harbour race on friday and two long distance races to and from an island on the east side (saturday and today). That was a lot of fun. We did not want to race Alita and then we also did not want to leave here alone, so Marcus drove Alita to finish and I crewed on the Catamaran "Margarite". That was a really great experience. Not only being on a cruising catamaran for the first time but especially to be with its extremely nice owners, Bruce and Dinah. I will link their blog shortly...We had a great time and they were really happy about the additional hand. On saturday evening there was a beach party on a small island, an outlet of a resort. So we all met there for drinks. We could not spend to many hours as to get the chance to speak to everyone we have met over the last half year. About half the boats we met over the last healf year do take the same rout as we do. They all came to Tonga and they all will leave from here to New Zealand. More parties coming up in New Zealand...The next Regatta and party/information happening takes place in Opua harbour, New Zealand, Nov. 16th-20th. We all hope to be there as well.

Tomorrw Marcus and I are going out again to different bays and we'll come back once to check out from Vava'u to Ha'apai.

I just uploaded pictures from here and the race. Follow the link: http://sailing.smichah.de/#!album-75

 Dinghy valet parking in front of the island for the beach party

 See our friend Michael from Anico on the cliff? Pretty small, eh...

 Looking over the islands of Vava'u...

 Two baots racing...

 The bosses of "Margarita"

 A traditional boat with traditionally dressed people. It also participated in the race, that was great. These are the boats the polynesians took across the Pacific many years ago...

 Clown fish at sea anemone

I hope you enjoyed these pix...