Day One - Tonga to Fiji

6:00 - Saturday, July 2nd
(Happy Canada Day today to our Canadian family and Friends)

Just a quick update...we didn't leave the harbour yesterday as it took all day to clear customs, immigration, get fuel, etc.

Our new crew member Anja did not have her clearance papers on her. It was the responsibility of her Captain (the Captain from the boat she sailed in on) to turn in her release papers, so that we could take responsibility for her to Fiji. We managed to track him down and get him to customs. Long story short, we got it all worked out, but not until close to 4:00.

We then decided to enter the Friday night race so had Mike and Inky join us with Anja as well. It was a fun race, lots of wind and we managed to move up a position from last week. Not bad with a rookie crew.

It was sad to go around yesterday and say goodbye to everyone. The locals are so
unbelievably generous that they kept giving me gifts of food and weaved goods. For our final night Mike and Lori hosted our group at the Aquarium for dinner, drinks and lots of tequila shots! I almost cried when we said our final farewells. It was just like leaving home. Just love it here and will be back for sure!

In the race, Anja was excellent, so I feel so much more secure on this crossing with the three of us, instead of just the two of us. I think I already mentioned she is both a dive master and a sailing instructor. She is a little worried about sea sickness because on her dreadful crossing over she was sick for the whole 15 days. We'll see how it goes, but both of us have already started with our medication because the seas are moderate to rough, with high swells.

I will update this blog each morning, assuming we are able to get a Ham connection.

Take care and enjoy a wonderful Canada Day long weekend.
Peter, Diana and Anja