On the way to New Zealand
After 5 days of restless sailing since our departure from Polynesia, the long foam ridge of Beveridge Reef is on the horizon.
07 September 2019 – Beveridge Reef
We are only a few miles from the entrance to the pass, the swell has calmed down and we have time to cut the sea bream caught a few hours ago.
Beveridge Reef which is part of the niue Island Economic Zone (in the north-east of Tonga) is half submerged. No coconut trees or motus. Only the perspective of the ocean with surges all along the reef. We have a quiet night despite that strange feeling of feeling in the middle of nowhere.!
10 September 2019 – Arrival in Tonga
We arrive in Nuku-Alofa (the southernmost island of Tonga) in Tongatapu. Anchoring does not make us dream, but entry formalities must be carried out and
treading the land does not hurt us. We arrive at the right time, it is the birthday of King TUPAU IV.
On this occasion women and men wear the traditional clothes the Ta'ovala belted with dried pandanus leaves. I
It's 28° and we only have one desire... go for a swim further north away from the port of Tongatapu.
Pangaimotu Island is the perfect place to swim. We drop anchor in 3m of water in front of the small resort where
we celebrate our arrival in Tonga with a soft drink!
We spotted on our guide the island of Kelefesia which is not inhabited. The anchorage is prone to swell with coral heads everywhere.
We find a sandy area and luckily the weather is stable to stay there 2 or 3 days.
Poor crab Philippe scared him so much that he remains frozen in front of the camera.
No risk of eating it it is really slim the one- there!
This is the period when humpback whales make their show. Impressive when they dive near the boat!
12 October 2019 –Arrival at Minerva Reef
Minerva Reef which is on the road to New Zealand, allows boats to take shelter in case of bad weather and wait for the right weather window to continue west.
We anchor in the southern part of the lagoon for the night. No sailboat on the horizon just the beacon lying on the reef sign that strong storms have passed in the area.
At sunset a fishing boat rushes straight at us and stops pile-hair behind Tao. They are New Zealanders and come back from fishing with too many tuna on board.. We recover two and that's good we only had sea bream!