The Kingdom of Tonga has about 100 000 locals and 145 inhabitants per sq km. Many islands are deserted like Kelefesia where we stay for almost a week. Read More »
Kelefesia- Zero inhabitants per km²
Papalagui in the Kingdom of Tonga!
It is in the early morning that we arrive in Tongatapu , the southernmost island, Nuku'Alofa being the capital of Tonga. That's why we're going 15 days that we have not set foot on the ground it's going to make us all funny to find "the floor of the cows"!
Beveridge Reef – Alone in the world!
After 6 "turbulent" sailing days from Polynesia, a foam bar looms on the horizon... Beveridge Reef!
Despite the poor sailing conditions, we fish a coryphene sea bream and lose a swordfish that after unpleting 400 m of wire is unsplet!
Sunday 8 September:
Only the white foam on the coral crown (still submerged) reports the presence of the atoll. Most marine charts (except Navionics) are out of step with reality.
The entrance to the pass to the west is wide and it takes excellent visibility to spot it. Navigation is done on sight as well as inside the lagoon.
Some whales follow us, but we're too focused on the color of the backgrounds to take pictures.
We anchor east of the lagoon and stay there 6 days the time the swell drops. We have the lagoon all by ourselves, the funds are incredibly clear, 
fish are not frightened by our presence, they surround us
and photographing them up close doesn't seem to bother them! 
We explore daily the "patates" in search of some lobsters without success. Sea cucumbers , which the Chinese "love"( not very appetizing as a critter) crack lean on corals, 
while the benefactors promise us some good lunches! All that remains is to pick them up. The technique is to push a screwdriver into the lip and lever until the benefactor pulls off the coral. Some are pretty tough!
The days are divided between snorkeling, DIY, washing machine and appetizers at sunset!
A good wind is coming to reach Tonga, we are targeting Tongatapu on the South Island.
Departure from French Polynesia
Here we leave French Polynesia in a few days to continue our journey westward and find "certainly" cooler temperatures!! Read More »
Apataki – a construction site in the heart of nature
Now make it you is taken to the construction site of Apataki for the fairing of Tao who really needs. It's going to maybe miss us 
of no longer having to scrape the shell all the 15 days!! Read More »
Tahanea – Fakarava
We leave in the direction of Tahanea Gambier, an atoll of the Tuamotus located 700miles about. We make sure to get day in the past of Otao in the East of the island.
Tahanea is 'heaven'... No inhabitants only a keeper ( Since 1 year) who lives on the outskirts of the past of Otao and records the sailboats on arrival.
Back to Gambier
It's a grey and rainy weather that we leave the island of Rapa in the direction of Gambier. Navigation of 4 days with a cross-sea and successive grain not always comfortable. But comfort awaits us at Gambier...
New year in Rapa
The village of area is in effervescence... the new year is in 3 days and we are "requisition" to lend a helping hand to the preparations of the meal. Another great opportunity to sympathize with the locals and better understand their culture.
Four Weddings and Christmas in Rapa
The festivities continue to Rapa... It is turn of role that the villages of Haurei ( the Wispipi) and Aera ( the Shiwawas) welcome all the inhabitants of the island to celebrate Christmas and the new year. Them 4 Weddings planned in December still promise of "good eaten" accompanied by traditional songs.
Aronga * Rapa
*Hello Rapa. The joviality, the kindness, generosity and sharing with the inhabitants of Rapa make this island is particularly welcoming and engaging...
