June 1, 2004

June 1, 2004 - Paula Rudy's visit
Well, now that all is settled and we are safely in Vava'u, Paula and I have been enjoying shopping, quiet lunches and intense reminiscing.  It is always fantastic to have old friends come to partake in our new life.  Always impressed with the environment and somewhat awed by the lifestyle.  Talk is endless and laughter mixed with tears dot the somewhat intense conversations.  The children, as they grow older, love to entertain auntie Paula with their skills learned at sea as well as quizzing her with their knowledge obtained in their home schooling.  Currently, Nick is quizzing Paula about the hard things being brittle - glad she is at the other end as his brilliance and intensity tires me but always amazes me.

June 2, 2004
The big hub-hub is that 8 divers are lost on a reef.  We found this out at 10pm over the VHF.  Mayday, Mayday, 8 divers lost on the reef late LAST evening!  Anyone in that vicinity (30 miles south of where we were) please look out for random flashlights!!  Seems peculiar but they were down south diving on Sand Cay.  The 9th person who stayed in the boat while the others dove for lobster fell asleep and while he was snoozing the anchor line broke.  In the meantime the seas had amplified and when he awoke the engine would not start.  In the morning he was rescued, or he was able to start the engine, we are not clear, but he made the decision to return to town.  After hearing the Mayday for divers lost at sea, it obviously piqued my interest so I followed up with questions and found that NO ONE had been out to look for the divers since they were left on the reef over 24 hours before.  Baker organized a search committee and Beluga diving offered their boat but with the seas up to 4-6 feet, the wind 20-25 knots, and the tides varying 3 feet, we do not have huge hopes for these guys.  The search party nonetheless left this am to look for them.  They are Tongan so they are tough, the reef is a mile wide with several areas which rise above the water at mean tide but at high tide they are in 3 feet of water.  Time will tell what their fate is.  Why were we not notified before?  Why were the officials not out on a search and rescue?  Come to find out that even though they have sea faring boats they have no money for diesel!  Frustration … You bet, but this is just part of life in Tonga …

June 3, 2004
The divers were rescued today.  Come to find out they had some food with them and there was land to be had and shelter was made with shrubs which abound.  They were not happy with the man who left them to fend but when they found that the boat had been close to breaking up as he searched through the night for them they understood why they were left and a search party called to rescue.  The other piece to the puzzle was why the rescue boat turned back when they were so close to them the eve before their rescue - the policeman on board was violently seasick so they were forced to return as not to jeopardize his well being - all in all a cluster of comedy once you know that the divers were brought home safely.
This eve after Jim working on computers at Maria's all day, we were invited to her Spanish restaurant.  YUMMMMMMMMMMM is all I have to say about that.  What a joy it is to have such nice friends to surround oneself with!

June 4, 2004
Paula and I needed some time away.  It has rained for 24 hours straight and the gloom has gotten to us.  Enough of relaxation - off to town we went while the boys sailed around to town from Tapana.  Garbed in heavy polar fleece rain gear down to our knees with hoods to boot we caught a taxi to town.  First to Baker's to look at shirts for Paula's sister, then Café Tropicana which has become a habit lately.  Cappuccino tastes fine on a rainy day.  Then the internet café and then The Mermaid where they happened to be building a wall with all sorts of items including a wheel and many discarded bottles.  Tomorrow we will donate a few over-fused earrings and some boat junk - a work of art?? --- in the eye of the beholder!
Tonight was another big race night at Ana's Café.  The difference was there was wind for a change.  Chris borrowed Mighty Mite, a sailing dory, from Ann on Oddly Enough.  First place was quickly obtained!  I was quite proud of him because it was all his hard work picking up the boat from Ann and sailing the little thing in the pouring rain when he could have been comfortable on a larger craft.  Not Chris, as he is always up for a challenge and sailing is his passion.

June 5, 2004
Last day in Vava'u for Paula and it is absolutely horrible weather!  Such is life!  We are off to Port Maurelle after a day full of preparation and errands as tomorrow we leave for Nuku'alofa.  Today I did fit in a phone call to my mother and grandmother.  It was great to talk to them.  I wish so much that at least Mom could come to visit.  Gram hates boats, water and the like unless it's in an ocean a wide beach away.  But then she is almost 99!!
Hey - NEWS FLASH - There is a plane!  Yes it is flying over head!  I doubt it will help our guests, however, as they fly out in two days and this was the test flight.  I don't think we are going to take the chance.  We will still sail to Nuku'alofa.
Tonight we went to Barnacle Beach for a Tongan feast.  Roast pig, marinated clams, octopus and fish as well as fried fish with coconut milk and sugar that was quite a hit.  Delicious!  But Nick was sick with a fever and I wanted to get him to bed.  With our departure tomorrow I wanted him as able-bodied as feasible for his time on Ocelot.

June 6, 2004
We departed Vava'u at a little after 9 am with two couples who live in New Zealand, and an American man.  Paula, Chris, Jim, and I are also on board.  It has been sunny warm and FLAT calm seas, much to the delight of everyone.  Looks like there will be no vomiting this time around but I don't want to be so certain quite yet.  These were the same passengers who were deathly ill on the way up to Vava'u two short weeks ago.

June 7, 2004
A hefty Mahi-Mahi was landed early in the day, being slipped over the transom only to knocked on the skull by yours truly to prevent undue torment of him but more so to prevent an injury of any of the crew.  He was a combatant.  Flipping to and fro for a good ten minuets regardless of the thumping I gave him.  Chris beautifully filleted one side and Jon the other before I slipped the meat into zip locks for future meals.  A large yellow fin tuna was next to be brought aboard - we are stoked.  This one I made sure was hooked well and then turned it over to Jon to bring in.  He was very excited.  He had never brought in a tuna before.  Funny how things that are so normal for us are such a thrill to others.  He finished filleting this one also, but first I sliced out the loin and cut sashimi for all.  Wasabi and soy and we were set.  The fish was still warm and quivering but the state of its flesh did nothing to put off the barbaric enthusiasm of our visitors - yummmmmmmm.  No vomiteers and fresh fish.
It's sunny and temperate and all are enjoying their final few minutes of tranquility before we dock.  No sickos and no incidences to be troubled about.  Don has learned to navigate and is taking us up to port now.  Chris, after being up all night, is sleeping like a baby.  The rest of us are sitting here all fat and sassy after eating our fill of yellow fin sashimi.  Life once again is good!  Luna Rosa restaurant is where we will all convene for dinner this eve and the trip will be complete.