| Moonrise over the anchorage off Pangaimotu, the view from Big Mama's dock |
| Finally we were able to depart Nukualofa for a sail N to the Hapa'ai group of Tongan Ids, and made first landfall on Kelefesia |
| Barb couldn't pass up this lei made with fresh tiger orchids |
| Once she bought it she wouldn't take it off! |
| In Nukualofa our favorite hangout was Friend's Cafe (and intermittent internet site!) |
| Wendy and her pal Bob (another one!) flew in to join us in Nukualofa. We loaded up with tons more food and booze and waited for the ferry back to Big Mama's |
| After nearly 2 weeks in crummy seas sailing from NZ we arrived off Tongatapu, Tonga. |
| Our anchorage off Big Mama's Resort on Pangaimotu, just north of Nukualofa, the capital of Tonga on Tongatapu |
| Crabs for sale are trussed up with blue plastic twine and set in woven palm frond baskets |
| Clams are displayed in a different type of woven basket |
| The dockside fish market in the Tongan capital was fully stocked 6 days a week |
| The Tongans eat all manner of sea creatures, including these fresh octopi |
| This woman in her serape selling food in the market is so timeless she could be in any century anywhere: Tonga, Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand! But the blue tarps and gatorade jug put her squarely in our time!! |
| We all bought carvings from this wood carver because his work was extraordinary and his young daughter was so cute! |
| And cassava is transported in heavy duty baskets woven from a single palm frond |
| Peanuts are sold fresh from the ground with their stems still on |
| The Captain and his Steinlagers at Friends Cafe |
| The daily produce market in Nukualofa was extensive |
| Hulled coconuts for sale along the side of the main road |
| Bob Berger and Wendy Meier, all smiles upon safe arrival by air in Nukualofa |
| Local woven crafts for sale in the market |
| These women make fresh flower leis and were cajoled into modeling some of their extraordinary creations |
| The market also serves as Social Club and site of championship checkers matches |
| Tongan Youth |
| Our final night before departing for other islands--partying at Big Mama's. Wendy (L.), Nancy from Cabaret, Barb, Milt, Bill from Cabaret, Bob |
| The day aboard starts slowly with a leisurely breakfast, and Ship's Log entries, waiting for the Captain to roll out of bed |
