We have arrived after a tumultuous* crossing from Apia via Niuatoputapu in what is a sailing wonderland. The Archipelago and snaking Islands of Vava'u - to arrive just in time for the Vava'u Regatta.

The best way to describe these formations in laymen's terms is imagine Minnesota inverted - land surrounded by water - little islands everywhere .

We participated in the Governors Cup and came in ... well almost last in the Catamaran class... but Carinthia, laden with stores, extra provisions. fuel and wine deliveries from Apia was in no racing condition - nor was it's crew after the bashing we received coming down here.

The party at anchorage # 16 [ there are so man y spots here that Moorings instituted a numbering system and everyone uses it ] was epic - much more organized than any latitude 38 party - and what an array of nationalities, locals, characters and yachts !

Pictures are uploading slowly but they should be online by the am under

http://www.52hertz.com/pictures/vavau_regatta/

More on Vava'u and the Kingdom of Tonga when I return from the US.

More on the crossing * when I need to revisit hard core blue water sailing - for now - not.