Pacific Crossing 2019 - Tonga to Fiji - Passage Log

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The night before our departure for Fiji we went out for drinks with fellow cruisers. Despite seeing they had arrived in Tonga weeks earlier, we hadn't had a chance to catch up. All our earlier plans were a washout for one reason or another. We enjoyed a great evening and were introduced to more cruisers. It was a real party atmosphere in the Tonga main (and only) wine bar . The local DJ was playing some awful 60s and 70s music, but the crowd really enjoyed it anyway.

Must remember rule #1 NO drinking the night before setting off on passage.

I wasn't feeling great the next morning, but we had an early checkout appointment with Customs and Immigration. I struggled up and got to the customs wharf. It turned out we were not the only ones to have spotted a good weather window, so there was already a queue of boats circling the wharf, even some of the cruisers we met last night. We tied up alongside another boat - also checking out.  Good job we were up early, 30 minutes later even more boats were backed up and waiting for their turn.

We cleared out and set off, but still hadn't figured out which way we were going to sail to Fiji. We though the Nanuku passage to Savusavu, but it was a gutting decision as it meant passing by the Lau - Eastern group islands. These islands are a real highlight, but apart from it being illegal to visit them before checking into Fiji, a recent underwater volcano eruption had covered the Southern pass with a huge area of floating volcanic rock (pumice) and needed to check to check recent reports to find its location, and figure out where it was heading.

We were also on the lookout for whales. We saw some in the distance, but none came close. 

pic. clam conditions arriving in Savusavu



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