25 July 2010
Talofa supports (smiles)
It has been a while since our last entry but we are back online full throttle. Following on from our last entry in May the keen crew of the Va’a Gaualofa and the executive committee of the Samoa Voyaging Society decided to sail to Nukualofa, Tonga.
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The opportunity came about through the whale watching training to take place in Tonga. This was organised by Ocean Noise Production (ONP) for the skippers and first mate of each participating va’a from the Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Tahiti, and yours truly Samoa. Being the enthusiastic environmental advocates we thought we would minimise the carbon footprint of two crew members flying into two countries by sailing with a full crew. The trip to Nukualofa also proved a valuable opportunity for training for old crew and new.
The president of the Samoa Voyaging Society, Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale joined the crew as it has been a long life dream for the president and founding member of the society. Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale’s additional purpose was to attend the coronation of the King of Tonga.
Log Book 25/07/10
Crew: Marc, Tuatagaloa Joe, Ewan, John, Waine, Fani, Fa’apau, Koleni, Siaosi, Kalolo, Senio, Tuafale, Ioe, Ieremia, Billi, Fa’aleaga.
Set sail from Apia Marina at 1400hrs west of Upolu pass Apolima Island searing her traditional rig.
Once we passed the convergence current zone in the leeway shore of Upolu we started heading south for Nukualofa.
Only managed to catch half a fish the other half we shared with a shark (dumb shark!).
Day one, a historical trip as it is the first official international voyage for Gaualofa as well as our president Tuatagaloa Joe.
End entry.
Log Book 26/07/10
Crew: Marc, Tuatagaloa Joe, Ewan, John, Waine, Fani, Fa’apau, Koleni, Siaosi, Kalolo, Senio, Tuafale, Ioe, Ieremia, Billi, Fa’aleaga.
It’s day two and the wind has decided to change from East to South South East and just for the fun of it, just to spice things up she decides to change again to blow South straight in front of us. We adapt to the situation and follow the wind taking us towards Vava’u.
We arrive into the Vava’u group at 2100hrs and enter anchorage in front of Neiafu at 2230hr. It’s raining and squalling when we anchor but the crew break out in song lead by Tuatagaloa Joe with his ukulele and guitar till 0100hrs.
End entry. (Yawn)
Log Book 09/08/10 to 12/08/10
Crew: Marc, Ewan, John, Waine, Fani, Fa’apau, Koleni, Siaosi, Kalolo, Senio, Tuafale, Ioe, Ieremia, Billi, Fa’aleaga.
Guest: Iren, Spainish (captain of Newromancer yacht), Tibault, French (first mate of Newromancer).
We have been sailing between the Vava’u group islands and it is a sailors paradise. There is always shelter which is open to the wind but protected from deep ocean swell - it is a sailors cherry on the cake. We have been spending our time getting to know the locals of Neiafu, training, and building team sprit within the crew.
We’ve been repetitively practicing manoeuvres such as tacking, man over board, coastal navigation, and anchoring drills.The training has been tough, useful, and well worth it. Definitely a great place for training.
End entry
Log Book 13/08/10
Crew: Marc, James, Ewan, John, Waine, Fani, Fa’apau, Koleni, Siaosi, Kalolo, Senio, Tuafale, Ioe, Ieremia, Billi, Fa’aleaga.
If you are the superstitious type then this entry might feel a little scary because it is Friday the 13th and we are setting sail to return home to Samoa. We are joined by another crew member and secretary of the Samoa Voyaging Society James Atherton on the journey home.
We depart Neiafu leaving behind two crew members of Gaualofa to work on board va’a Hine Moana undertaking whale watching trips to increase training and experience.
It is said that the most important part of the day is breakfast so what better way to start Friday the 13th than a hearty breakfast of crepes, cinnamon buns, and coffee with our Tongan friends and colleagues from Hine Moana. After Breakfast we farewell our friends, then kick them off our va’a, and set sail around Neiafu to farewell everyone before heading towards Afi ava from there we set our heading North North East towards Samoa.
End entry.
Log Book 14/08/10
Crew: Marc, James, Ewan, John, Waine, Fani, Fa’apau, Koleni, Siaosi, Kalolo, Senio, Tuafale, Ioe, Ieremia, Billi, Fa’aleaga.
We arrive into Samoa anchoring in Apia after passing the international dateline experiencing Friday the 13th twice and a 40 hour trip travelling at an average speed of eight knots.
It’s great to be back and we are welcomed back with a warm and delicious dinner prepared by the society, family, and supporters.
Till next time, end entry. (Yummy)
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