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 Tongatapu, Tonga
(revisited)



 
 We left New Zealand April 19 and arrived April 28 at Nuku'alofa, the capital of Tonga on the island of Tongatapu.  We had explored some of Tongatapu when we were here last November. This time we saw more of the island, made new friends, and sailed to some small islands nearby. 

 Sharon with the driver and taxi that took us on a tour of western Tongatapu.
One of the sights on the tour is the “three-headed” coconut palm tree (we saw this on the tour last November too).
A close-up of the three heads.
 
We saw the “Mapu’a ‘a Vaea”  Blowholes (“the Chief’s Whistles”) on the south shore of Tongatapu. 
 
 “Mapu’a ‘a Vaea”  Blowholes (“the Chief’s Whistles”). 
 
This tree is full of fruit bats or “flying foxes.”  We have become as used to seeing bats flying by as we are to seeing birds.  The bats usually fly late in the day, toward dusk.
 
We took a long walk on the Ha’atafu Beach on the northwestern tip of Tongatapu and stopped for lunch afterwards.  Here Sharon cools down in the traditional Tongan way, with fan and drinking coconut.
Northwestern beach of Pangaimotu Island/Big Mama’s Resort as seen from Larabeck anchorage.
Southwestern beach of Pangaimotu Island/Big Mama’s Resort as seen from Larabeck.
 Eastern shore of Pangiamotu Island, looking north on the beach. 
 
Big Mama’s resort with their water taxi parked on the right.
Big Mama’s deck.
Big Mama’s dinghy dock—view from the deck looking toward the anchorage with Larabeck on the right.
 
‘Ana Emberson, aka “Big Mama,” is making sun shades from palm leaves.
 
Big Mama’s staff is also hard at work weaving sun shades, which will be placed on the poles seen above them.
Big Mama's Yacht Club Log Book is proudly displayed inside the restaurant.
A close up of the 2010 log book shows boat names familiar to us from our visit to Big Mama’s in November 2010.  In the center is “Akka,” and of more recent mention, two boats below, is “Avante.”  We are right beneath Avante (“Larabach”).   “Larabeck” is the first boat listed on the 2011 register.
Lunch Menu at Big Mama’s.  Prices are in Tonga Pa’anga, which have the value of about 0.6 US dollars.  All the food we tried at Big Mama’s was good.
Sharon on deck at Big Mama’s with shipwreck “My Lady Lata II” in the background. 
 
“My Lady Lata II” lies in her final resting place near Big Mama’s.  The snorkeling is good around the ship.
 
Sharon in the Pangiamotu/Big Mama’s Resort water taxi to Nuku’alofa.
 
Larabeck anchored near Atata Island in Tongatapu.   We hung the swimming gear out to dry, which added some color to the life lines in this picture.
 
The Larabeck Crew at the Royal Sunset Island Resort on Atata.  L to r:  Michael, Sharon, Sari the nurse, and Jess the nutritionist.   Sari (from New Zealand) Jess (from Australia) are both working in Nuku’alofa, and we met them as they were visiting Big Mama’s one weekend.  They invited us to dinner at Sari’s house in Nuku’alofa.  The next weekend we took them out with us to Atata Island.
 
Beach on west side of Atata looking north.
Beach on west side of Atata looking south.
 
Inside the dining room at the Royal Sunset.
 
The “royal sunset” at the Royal Sunset Island Resort.
 
These musicians played while we ate our dinner at the Royal Sunset.  They are from the Atata fishing village next door.  They sang four and five part (another man joined them) harmonies to the accompaniment of their guitars and a ukulele.
 
The next day we headed back to Nuku’alofa, also to musical accompaniment (Sharon on the violin).  L to r:  Sharon, Sari, and Jess.
 
Sari enjoys a personal serenade.
 
A little sailing music.
No wind today, as evidenced by the flat, flat water seen here.  Good thing we carry a few extra liters of diesel (in the yellow jerry cans).

 
 
See more of the Larabeck's photos
 
Tonga: Kelefesia & Nomuka Iki Islands (Ha'apai Group)
New Zealand: Waitangi Day Celebration
New Zealand: Bay of Islands
New Zealand: Opua to Auckland
Tonga
Niue
Palmerston Atoll (Cook Islands)
Bora Bora, Raiatea & Tahaa
Tahiti
Tuamotus islands
Fatu Hiva and Hiva Oa (the Marquesas) 
Tahuata, Ua Pou, and Nuka Hiva (the Marquesas) 
The Galapagos Islands

If you want to know more about the journey of the Grafs who are sailing 
from Illinois to the South Pacific, go to the Larabeck home
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