The sun was out full force yesterday but no wind. I decided to burn fuel after all and get to Neiafu, I was hungry for food and sleep.
I almost had a little accident yesterday. I heard a noise and looked to the stern of the boat. I couldn’t believe my eyes. My “self-leveling” radar mount was broken again and trying to pull down my rig. I grabbed the proper tools and scurried up the stern pulpit delicately balancing myself on the top of the pulpit and the back stay. After a quick inspection I noticed that the stainless tube failed again at another hole. “it just cant take the load”!
I was putting a little pressure on a gear hammock with my leg when it broke and I went tumbling off of the back of Namaste. I broke one of my Bamboo solar panel mounts but managed to grab the rail before I went tumbling into the sea to watch Namaste motor off without me. It was a nice day for a swim and the current would have been with me but I don’t know that I would have made it the twenty miles to Vavau? After gathering my thoughts and counting my blessings, I climbed back onboard and finished taking the dome off of the mount.
Despite the whole ordeal my spirits were up and I was excited to make landfall that evening. “I really hate that mount, it’s a good idea, just a bad design”!!!!!
After a few hours I could really see Vavau, “What a beautiful island”. A foggy-squall blew through as I was approaching the island. It gave the experience a “mysterious” quality. The cliffs are high and green, the water deep and blue, and the approach to Vavau was marvelous. I could smell fire, flowers, and earth on the air. Strange birds circled above me. My eyes watered as I realized I was in tomorrow. I’ve crossed the international date line, another dream realized!
Tonga is the only Kingdom in the southern hemisphere and it has a “majestic” way about it. Everything just seems “crisper, sharper, and brighter”. Once I rounded Vavau and entered the arcapeligo I was astonished at the beauty, speechless in fact, with my jaw hanging agape. I want to say this is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen but I just don’t know any more, it is most surely “spectacular”!
Once I got to Neiafu the sun was setting under a crimson sky and my buddy Charlie came out on his dinghy with a cold beer and guided me to a mooring just a boat length off of the Mermaid bar. I could hear the Eagles “take it easy” floating on the breeze, I instantly felt at home.
I quickly tied up Namaste and rowed to the mermaid. You know that “Cheese burger in Paradise” I’ve been looking for, I found it. I had a few too many beers and laughed the night away with friends.
As I’m sure you have read in my logs I’ve been feeling a little “far away” lately. It all seemed to wash away with a few beers, some good food, and the smiles of familiar faces. I know one thing “TONGA IS MY KIND OF PLACE”! I know I can bitch sometimes when the sea has me down, but what a magnificent life I lead. I wish I could really spend some time here in Tonga. I will quickly return in my next boat. This is the place I have been looking for in the South Pacific!
Today I’m going to gather up some laundry and bring it to shore, check in, and do some shopping.
Tonga feels good!
Peace, Love, and Tonga.
– Alex
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