Gulp and Go
18 October 2014 | Euakafa Island, Vava'u
Thursday 16 October 2014
Famous Swallows Cave is actually inhabited by starlings or swifts, so we've been informed. Many are devastated by this cruel hoax. Nevertheless, it's interesting to dinghy in and motor about. Would have tied up to an inner wall, taken a swim and climbed into the deeper chamber that has a skylight, but swell inside might have pounded hypalon dink against jagged rocks and it was a long swim back to Port Maurelle. Not to fret, we found an excellent reef just south that terraced from 2 meters crossed by numerous canyons to 35 or so and then down again to blackness (actually it was deep blue, but the darker color sounds cooler).
Crew of Rigel came by in afternoon to introduce and ate half our dinner. Sounds bad, but actually not, as we had interesting company (he's a Yank and she's from Italy - they got together in Papeete 3 months ago) and it ostensibly restricted caloric intake for maintenance of nymph-like figure. Regrettably this was a false expectation as mass quantities of cheese and crackers more than made up the difference. Somebody stop me.
Friday
Continued intemperance in food and drink was forced, forced I say, on entire crew as we celebrated Sandy Best's birthday at La Paella on Tapana Island. Maria makes the most wonderful tapas and, oddly enough, paella (named for the large, shallow pan it's cooked in). A dog and a goat, which wandered around during the meal and listened raptly to terrific live music, provided by 2 rather ancient looking chaps whose appearance belied their euphonious skills, made the evening quite memorable for the 7 of us who were there. Highlight was Sandy's extemporaneous and somewhat naughty song about the evening. There is a tape. Bribes will be expected.
Saturday
Moved this morning to Euakafa (Ay wah KAH fah) Island, farthest south anchorage that blustery weather will allow, for long daysail tomorrow to the Ha'apai Group. Enjoyed better than expected snorkel on isolated nearby reef. Lots of, you know, reef stuff. Chilled rest of day, then happy hour G&T, lamb dinner and early bed to prepare for way early departure for long daysail to Ha'apai Group.
Jack