4-8 June 2024

Spent a few days in the Vava’u Group of Islands - centred around Neiafu, the Port of Refuge.  Beautiful sheltered harbour with great little local town at its centre.  We spent more time here than we would have liked as we had problems with our alternators (we have two). The Sterling management system kept showing worrying warning lights so we returned to consult Alan the NZ boat engineer more than once..

Explored the islands with a visit to the Ene’io Botanical Gardens in NE Vava’u.  The owner, big personality/great enthusiast, now in his 80s, had inherited the land at the age of 8, and was obliged to plant 200 coconut trees, which he duly did in groups of 4.  Around these he planned his botanical gardens which extended to 28 acres, concentrating on the conservation of native flora.  It was full of beautiful trees and flowers such as the Heilala (the National Flower of Tonga).  Queen Salote visited towards the end of her reign.  Lunch was another Tongan Feast with suckling pig and local dancing.  Local crafts were demonstrated with Pandanus weaving and the making of tapa (bark cloth) and cava (local drink).  Tonga has suffered a lot over the last 4 years, with covid and the destruction brought by the 2022 tsunami and our guide Lucy was quite emotional when she stressed how much the World Arc visit meant to her.

Lovely anchorages and walks - including the visit to Swallows Cave where the fish were suspended in the light.  Spent the night at Port Maurelle with a fun sundowner get together on the beach with fellow world arc yachties.