A Whale of a Time in Tonga
Over the last week, the World ARC fleet has been arriving in the Vava’u island group of the wonderful Kingdom of Tonga. Their arrivals mark the end of a multi-stop passage across the Pacific from Bora Bora, during which most crew stopped at the isolated but perfectly formed islands of Suwarrow and Niue.
As one sails from Niue to Tonga, you cross the international date line, so on arrival in Vava’u all crews have been a bit perplexed about what day it is. But after the clocks have been reset, and international clearances have been completed, crews have been getting ashore, either in the main town of Neiafu or the outer island, to find out what Tonga is all about. There has been a great welcome around the town in the shops, restaurants and bars and the World ARC base at the Aquarium Café has been buzzing.
And following the bank holiday weekend in Tonga, the last yachts arrived and it was time to party! Tonight, crews got together at the Mango’s Café on the waterside in Neiafu for a superb evening of great food, local entertainments and lots of stories, to catch up on the last month or so. The fleet were formally welcomed to Vava’u by Lina Tuputa from the Tongan Ministry of Commerce, Tourism and Labour – she told crews how much the local community enjoyed having the World ARC in Vava’u and what it means to them.
With a multi-stage leg, there were many variables to influence the competitive side of the Rally; the passage from Bora Bora. However, when all adjustments were made, the fastest boat overall on corrected time was Ghost, owned by Tim and Clare Hagon. It was also good to see Festina Lente and Tulasi receiving prizes too.
It was a great night for crews to get together, both the earliest arrivals and the one who arrived that morning; to share stories and advice about the last passage and exploring the beautiful Vava’u group.
Maloapito to all those who made the night a success – entertaining, serving and feeding us.
A Whale of a Time in Tonga
Over the last week, the World ARC fleet has been arriving in the Vava’u island group of the wonderful Kingdom of Tonga. Their arrivals mark the end of a multi-stop passage across the Pacific from Bora Bora, during which most crew stopped at the isolated but perfectly formed islands of Suwarrow and Niue.
As one sails from Niue to Tonga, you cross the international date line, so on arrival in Vava’u all crews have been a bit perplexed about what day it is. But after the clocks have been reset, and international clearances have been completed, crews have been getting ashore, either in the main town of Neiafu or the outer island, to find out what Tonga is all about. There has been a great welcome around the town in the shops, restaurants and bars and the World ARC base at the Aquarium Café has been buzzing.
And following the bank holiday weekend in Tonga, the last yachts arrived and it was time to party! Tonight, crews got together at the Mango’s Café on the waterside in Neiafu for a superb evening of great food, local entertainments and lots of stories, to catch up on the last month or so. The fleet were formally welcomed to Vava’u by Lina Tuputa from the Tongan Ministry of Commerce, Tourism and Labour – she told crews how much the local community enjoyed having the World ARC in Vava’u and what it means to them.
With a multi-stage leg, there were many variables to influence the competitive side of the Rally; the passage from Bora Bora. However, when all adjustments were made, the fastest boat overall on corrected time was Ghost, owned by Tim and Clare Hagon. It was also good to see Festina Lente and Tulasi receiving prizes too.
It was a great night for crews to get together, both the earliest arrivals and the one who arrived that morning; to share stories and advice about the last passage and exploring the beautiful Vava’u group.
Maloapito to all those who made the night a success – entertaining, serving and feeding us.
Over the last week, the World ARC fleet has been arriving in the Vava’u island group of the wonderful Kingdom of Tonga. Their arrivals mark the end of a multi-stop passage across the Pacific from Bora Bora, during which most crew stopped at the isolated but perfectly formed islands of Suwarrow and Niue.
As one sails from Niue to Tonga, you cross the international date line, so on arrival in Vava’u all crews have been a bit perplexed about what day it is. But after the clocks have been reset, and international clearances have been completed, crews have been getting ashore, either in the main town of Neiafu or the outer island, to find out what Tonga is all about. There has been a great welcome around the town in the shops, restaurants and bars and the World ARC base at the Aquarium Café has been buzzing.
And following the bank holiday weekend in Tonga, the last yachts arrived and it was time to party! Tonight, crews got together at the Mango’s Café on the waterside in Neiafu for a superb evening of great food, local entertainments and lots of stories, to catch up on the last month or so. The fleet were formally welcomed to Vava’u by Lina Tuputa from the Tongan Ministry of Commerce, Tourism and Labour – she told crews how much the local community enjoyed having the World ARC in Vava’u and what it means to them.
With a multi-stage leg, there were many variables to influence the competitive side of the Rally; the passage from Bora Bora. However, when all adjustments were made, the fastest boat overall on corrected time was Ghost, owned by Tim and Clare Hagon. It was also good to see Festina Lente and Tulasi receiving prizes too.
It was a great night for crews to get together, both the earliest arrivals and the one who arrived that morning; to share stories and advice about the last passage and exploring the beautiful Vava’u group.
Maloapito to all those who made the night a success – entertaining, serving and feeding us.