Cop-E-Cat Adventures

Well hello hello. I was 'off the grid' for over a week, not being my own decision of course but Digicels service. Lucky I make note of our day to day life and all things we have been up too, so here we go...

So we firstly left Tongatapu on the morning of the 16th, the day after Alannah and her boyfriend Chris arrived. We left at 6am, heading to the Ha'apai group, to the island of Numuka Iki. After we anchored in the early afternoon, I went ashore for Ukulele Class along side a couple other members of the fleet. We had a lovely feast at the Royal Numuka Yacht Club, which was a stretch of beach with a white tent to shelter the food (so not much of a yacht club, yet).

The next day we headed back south (towards Tongatapu) to the island of Kelefesia. After 5 hours, being a bit longer than the 2 hours I got told (even though I slept the whole way), we arrived in the islands beautiful bay! In the morning we ventured around the island, where around 7 men lived and worked, with their kind of scary dog along with a lot more than the told, 1 pig. The centre of the island was a coconut grave yard, which was most likely due to the resent cyclone. The surrounding beach was beautifully white and the water a light blue. We did a bit of snorkelling and swimming and a lot of sun bathing, with karma hitting me right in the butt by me getting really burnt, and having horrible tan lines now.

We planned to leave at 7:30am but we were majorly tangled in the coral head below. So the only solution, for Danielle to have here morning swim and dive the anchor. We eventually unweaved ourselves by moving here, there and everywhere and with me being in charge (which probably wasn't the best decision by Dad) but we broke free and headed back north. Heading up to the little island, Peapea, we got to turn off the motors and sail most of the way, which was awesome. Aswell, Mum made yum spaghetti and ham and egg pies which made the trip the best one yet. We anchored and hopped in the dingy and walked round the little island. It was blimming hot, when the sun is beating down and you are out of the wind! We attempted to go to the neighbouring islands but the coral reef and our dying will got the better of us and we went back to Cop-E-Cat ( I got told the other island had the Tip Top factory so I was not forfeiting).

The next morning (now being the 20th) we left little Pea Pea, moving to Kotu Island an hour away. Kotu Island has a massive coral reef so we had to weave our way through, with Mum, Chris, Alannah and I standing on the bow trying to spot the big ones. We anchored, and lucky us we anchored right next to a bomby so we had to do a bit of adjustments that included a wee bit of yelling. The snorkelling was amazing both days! Massive coral heads, flourishing with fish and exploding with colour. We decided to go ashore to see the community it had. We were greeted by Sela, a young lady who took us for a tour round the island. Two hours later, we accumulated 20 or more children that ran in front and behind us, grabbing and somehow killing both a bird and a crab (while I internally screamed), seeing the islands 3 churches for the only 50 residents. On the way Sela asked if we wanted some paw paw, which we did, and she proceeded to yell something in Tongan into the bushes and out runs a little boy with a knife. He climbs the tree and cuts of the fruit while a number other little boys run on over. We got all the kids lollipops, which they were stoked about and waved us a big goodbye as we motored back to the boat.

The day after that, we swam and snorkelled in the morning then picked up anchor and went to Uoleva, where a couple boats were anchored. We went ashore to the resort Sea Change for a drink or two. We met their doggo Maui, who just loved cuddles! It was a cruisy afternoon with Lana, Chris and I going back to the boat to make nachos for dinner.

We motored up to Pangai, the next day, which is the capital of the Ha'apai group, being only just round the corner. We meet up with Laura Dawn (another boat on the fleet) at the Ha'apai Beach Resort for lunch, then went into the town where the King's Festival was on. All the fresh produce was gone, sadly, so we just walked back, doddering round the streets. We went for a swim and a paddle before going back into the resort for Pizza and the All Blacks Game against France. It was super great to meet up with a couple of the other boats as we haven't seen them since Numuka!

We moved up north to Foa the following day, which is gorgeous! Chrystal clear water and a pristine beach. We went ashore with Laura Dawn to go snorkelling in the channel, to spot the Leopard Sharks that we were told live in the depths of it. For me, the snorkelling was even more amazing than at Kotu Island, and we even spotted the Leopard Shark! Swimming back to shore we meet Ollie, a massive dog that just looks like a big version of our dog Samar. We had lunch at the resort there then went back to the boat and I read, swam and laid in the sun. The next morning, Chris flew back to New Zealand via Tongatapu and we went back to Uoleva. I did a lot of reading in the sun that day, being very chill. Phil and Carol came over for drinks and nibbles which turned into dinner.

Yesterday (the 26th) we had Sports Day on Uoleva which Sea Change held. We started off by being split into teams of 5 with rougly 8 people in each. Mum and I were in the same team along with five other girls and one man. We were rightfully called The Harem. Dad and Alannah were together in another team, so our competitiveness definitely came out. Tug of War was the first activity, and I got to say, every team put up a fierce pull, and somehow our team of women and one man came second! After we were all puffed from that game, we had a bit of more chilled activity of Hermit Crab Races. We all searched for our racers along the beach and brought them back, putting them in the inner circle. The first crab to the outer circle won. I don't think I've ever heard more screaming and cheering especially for Hermit Crabs. But the winner, of course, was our one! Never underestimate our skills to pick out fast hermit crabs (truth to be told that was like the third time ive seen hermit crabs in my life). After that there was a bit of drinking and chilling out, until we had the Obstacle Race. Firstly, someone had to run with an egg on a spoon in their mouth to the next person who had to race in a sack. They ran (or tried to) the next person who had to paddle board out and around a boat and back to shore which a coconut aboard. The next person got handed the coconut and had to chuck it in a bin, and when they did, two people three legged raced to the bar to finish the course. Once again there was a lot of screaming and commotion but was really fun. The last activity was after dinner and was, of course, a Tongan Dance off! Everyone had a good go at it but The Herum took away 1st place (must have been Mum and I's top notch moves). But that brought us to a tie with another team. So the deciding activity ..... Limbo! All the teams crowded under the shelter at the bar to cheer and watch. We were going well and most of us were in for a while. I surprisingly was one of the last three. But sadly the 8 year old girl who just walked under the bar bet my back bending! It was amazing day and night and we all had so much fun!
Okay! Sorry about that lengthly update but the none existent service has held me back from sharing! If you want to actually see the path we took (and will help you understand the islands we went to and the trips we did) have a look at our tracking on Predict Wind, which the link on my first post. We are having a great time, seeing lots of sun and sand!

The Symes' and the fleet have arrived to Tonga and we are slowing moving into the Island Life!
Mum and I flew in two days ago with Cop-E-Cat and the crew arriving yesterday morning (7th of June) to Big Mamas Yacht Club.

Yesterday we went on a tiki tour of Tongatapu, getting to see some pretty cool and out their things. We viewed the Royal Palace and Cemeteries (only from the outsides as apparently I'm not classified royalty here) both being highly respected throughout the Nation. I'm happy to say I've finally seen a three headed coconut tree, a tsunami rock and some trees filled with bats. An actual highlight of the Tour was swimming in the Anahulu Cave on the west of the Island. Later we got to meet up with Dad and the rest of the fleet at Big Mamas for a drink and a bite to eat, where I got to talk to the sailors about their passage and experience over.

Keep an eye out on the Gallery as I will continuously add new photos and the experience ahead.

Danielle and the Symes Fam xx

Welcome to the Symes Family Blog for the 2018 Tonga and Fiji Adventure!

Dad and the crew set off this afternoon, after a week of preparation in Opua, Bay of Islands. Throughout the week, Mum and Dad got to meet the rest of the 34 boats part of the ICNZ (Island Cruising New Zealand) fleet, with their excitement levels rising. Today Cop-E-Cat head out to Sea, with their eye (and hopefully the course) set on Tonga. On the way up to Tonga they will stop over at Minerva Reef 750 NM (1389 kms for us non boaty people) North East of New Zealand, with the hope of arriving to Big Mamas Yacht Club on Tongatapu Island. Mum and I are flying over on the 6th of June, all in time for the Fleets Welcome Party.

If you wanna follow Cop-E-Cat throughout the trip just look at, https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/COPECAT.

T-10 days till sun, sand and the ultimate experience!

Danielle + the Symes Fam xx