Cute little fellows, aren't they?!! These are a couple of the flying foxes, or fruits bat, that call Tonga their home. It has been interesting to see them come out at dusk and fly around the islands (although this picture was taken during the daylight and there were many flying around then, as well). We have been told they love mangoes and papayas, just like us! When we get internet, I'll put some more photos of them in the gallery.

We spent Halloween morning getting our check-out paperwork done. This means, we caught the 8:00AM ferry to the wharf at Nuku'olafa, walked at least a mile to the Immigration Office, filled in the same form we have completed several times already, and then had it and our passports stamped. Next stop was the Port Authority office, back near the wharf, where we filled in the same information again on another form and paid $69. T in port fees. The last stop was at the Customs Office where we received the final exit paper we will need to present in New Zealand. We laughed about the inefficiency of the system, but we're living on Tongan time, so it doesn't really matter!

There was a big Halloween party at Big Mama's Yacht Club where we are anchored, but by the time it was starting, the winds were howling and it was pouring. Given our recent "fun" with heavy wind and rain, we decided to stay aboard instead of going ashore. Luckily, it turned out to be an uneventful evening aboard The Dorothy Marie - we watched the old version of "The Mummy," kept a good watch on our anchor and the nearby boats, and emptied bowls as they filled up from the leaks we can't seems to find and fix. Unfortunately for others, several boats dragged and had to re-anchor during the blow, and poor Orca III got hit in the middle of the night by a dragging boat (no major damage - just scraped paint and frazzled nerves).

Tonight we're going to a big birthday bash at Big Mama's. It is both her husband's and her son's birthday, so she is cooking up a traditional Tongan feast and has invited all of the yachties. There are now over 40 boats in our anchorage, so it should be quite a party! Big Mama asked Glen if he would play his sax tonight with the band she has hired. She had heard from someone in Neiafu how great he sounded and had been looking forward to hearing him, so this should be the perfect opportunity. Steve will be playing harmonica as well. We do hope the weather cooperates with partying a little better tonight!

Our current plan is to leave for New Zealand on Monday. We have subscribed with a weather expert, Bob McDavitt, for some help finding a good weather window for the crossing. He thinks Monday is a good day to leave, but that could always change. Several boats have already left and quite a few of them have either turned back or ducked in to Minerva Reef. I did a sail repair yesterday for a boat, Morning Star, who had to come back because his headsail got blown apart. The roller furling jammed and he couldn't get the sail in before the heavy winds hit. Hopefully, the repair will get him all the way on his next try. Glen is anxious to start this next leg of our trip, but I am just anxious! Hearing about how hard the boats out there now are being hit is making everyone (especially the ladies) more nervous. Two wives are leaving today to fly to New Zealand while their husbands and hired crew take their boats. Hmmm... anyone out there want to come crew?!!!

Very sadly, we have just heard the news that two boats have been lost recently. One, Timilla, hit a reef somewhere in Fiji and the other, Hot Ice, cracked up on an uncharted reef somewhere south of Fiji. Thankfully there was no loss of life, just the boats, but that means home and all possessions to their owners. It is a scary reminder that we are at the hands of the elements out here. Please keep positive thoughts heading our way!