Kelcey Chandler-Yates and Jim Yates present...
UnderSeaPhotoVideo.com
June 12, 2004
June 12, 2004-life after the horrendous trip from Nukulofa
It all started with Mary Ann's plane to Vavaú not having a spot for her-ughhhhhhhhh-20-25
knots were forecasted however on the beam-it would be a quick trip.-but who
was to know that the waves would be so mammoth, we saw 20-25 feet!-and that
the wind would increase to 40+ knots! Waves breaking over the boat every 5 minutes.
We had Mary Ann drugged up well so she pretty much just laid around and groaned!!
As they were smashing onto our heads with crushing force the sound vibrated
our eardrums. For the first time in four years we had three reefs in our main
sail with a handkerchief of jib out (for you non sailors-we had minimal sail
out for the wind to catch). No one could sleep and of more concern were our
friends who were delivering a Moorings yacht with seven charter guests aboard.
We knew they were not far off as occasionally we could pick them up on our radar
but with the storms the clouds for the most part obliterated any speck that
would be a boat and as well they were not answering their radio calls, or if
they did it was without detail! It would have been a fine thing to run into
another boat in those conditions!
Now, in hind sight, as it all turned out fine we have nothing to grumble about and in fact it all seemed so distant until the Captain of that boat approached me and in Tongan said, "BIG WAVES!" and as I nodded in agreement all my fears were not only brought back but validated as here was a gentleman who had sailed many a mile. Then he said-"the biggest" and only one thought came to mind---I am thankful to be home!!
Later we were informed that they had broken their gooseneck-the part that holds the boom to the mast. When we reefed for the last time they continued to smash the waves at 8 knots, as they had no third reefing lines. What was the manager of Moorings thinking when he sent them out there with no way to reef???!
June 15, 2004
An interesting thing has happened in the last few days. Christopher's computer
fixing company has been in-roaded by another Christopher-a very good friend
of our Chris!-How as a parent to handle this problem??-we chose to go to the
parents. The parents were sympathetic and understood that there is plenty of
work for both, that they need not be working on the same accounts, and that
we have been referring accounts to him so he should leave our previous accounts
alone.-The better thing is the boy talking of working together and having a
good time using each of their skills to better the end product for the customers.
Life worked out!! I love cruising parents and kids-all is workable-so far!
Anyhow we are over in Tapanna
now enjoying snorkeling and clear water as well as Sherry who owns the Ark,
a small art gallery that is no more than a beautifully painted mini mobile home
on pontoons! Maria and her husband Edwardo are our attraction. They own a quaint
little Spanish restaurant, which serves wonderful pialla and she dances, the
flamenco while he charms her with his guitar. The gems we meet! Not only gems
but sincere beautiful people-it is now I wish I spoke fluent Spanish.
Time for bed-t-bone steaks and green beans for dinner put us all over the edge
as far as fat and sassy tonight-a good sleep to deal with all that protein sounds
like the ticket.
June 16, 2004-
What a wild night. The winds picked up to 35 knots and things we had used on
deck began to rattle. The wind surfer began to move around and the surfboards
shifted. Chris hopped on deck and noticed we had drug anchor a bit. He prepared
to drop more chain as earlier in the night we had shortened up due to being
close to shore in order to escape the strong winds. Unfortunately this allowed
us little scope out and we drug anchor. By the time he got back to the cockpit
to start the engines we were in 100 feet of water. By the time Jim and I were
up to help it was 170. Plenty of room behind us but in the middle of the bat
the gusts were blowing to 40 knots. As we motored forward the rain pummeled
us in sheets. No moon to guide us and-- where is that shore anyhow? We were
limited to the depth sounder to help us feel our way. Shallow ground dictated
shore and the underwater topography was a nice slope up to the beach. We limped
along until we arrived in 20 feet of water. The hook was dropped and we motored
backwards until it caught. The end of another almost eventful night! Sleep was
glorious!
June 20, 2004-Nicks third fourteenth, birthday party!!
Well a good excuse for an ice cream cake!!-Nick and I arranged a pot luck with
the boats Oddly Enough, Ocelot and ourselves. Ocelot made another layer cake
and pizza and we made chicken wings, seared tuna, spicy tuna and the ice cream
cake.-all in all great fun and beautiful views off one of our favorite beaches.
June 22,2004
Mary Ann got off today at 7 am in the hotel bus. Jim and I took her to the hotel
where we were not served coffee and were not served breakfast-long story and
not worth reliving-!! Lets just say the "machine"was broken!! We think
the brains were broken!!
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