Year Two
Date: 26/7/2009 16:00
Weather: Perfect
Location: Port Maurelle (18 42.01' S, 174 01.76' W)
Author: Peter.

It is just fitting that our last day in Tonga is just perfect. Clear blue sky's, warm air, and magical water. We are anchored in 8 meters of water and it is so clear all around that you can see the wave pattern in the sand below and Stripe Faced Unicornfish and a Moorish Idol exploring a piece of green coral just off to our right. Only a short while ago we had a variety of fish around the boat as Kylie fed them the last of our stale bread.

We are now packed up and stowed away as we are setting sail at midnight tonight. Savusavu our point of entry into Fiji is 407nm away if the weather is good and we can take our preferred path through the reef. To make a comparison that is pretty much exactly twice Bass Straight or 2/3rds the length of the Sydney to Hobart Race. We are hoping for a good sail with moderate winds from behind. (Fingers crossed)

Last night we went back to the Crows Nest Cafe for a last hooray at an Indian Night (a special event they put on only once in a while and when they get the right number of people interested). At our table were Carl and Linda off Navara, Jeff, Meryl and James from Miss Molly. We got to experience some wonderful new foods all based around southern Indian food. Again we had a great meal and night on our last day ashore in Tonga.

We are both now looking forward to Fiji and something different. Some of other friends who are already there are telling us to hurry up as they are loving it.

On Friday night we repaid the favor given to us by the crew of Twin Image by crewing for them in the twilight race. Well to say the least it was something different and nerve racking. Twin Image is about 58 feet long and 30 feet wide and she does not turn that quickly. This meant that just before the start we were put into irons trying to dodge another boat that put us behind the eight ball. Sailing through the fleet was at times a little stressful, especially for Richard and then the close finish in the moored boats of the club was unreal. To put it simply, Twin Image only just fits between the moored boats and we had to work and tack within them to get across the line. In the end we finished second to Robyn a Najad 46 sailed really well by its owners. This result did not matter much however as I have said in the past, each boat gets a prize and we got a good one for the kids and Richard. On a side note, 12 boats from all around the world were racing in the small harbour with boats ranging in size from 58 feet to 20 feet. The course varies depending on the length of your boat (handicap system) which makes for an interesting finish. The little 20 footer never really rounds any marks except for the finish line. When the lead boat rounds each of the marks at the extreme ends of the harbour he is to turn and aim at the next mark. Weird but it seems to work.

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