Beachcombing and A Snorkel
10 August 2012 | Nukunamo & Ha’ano, Ha’apai Group Tonga
Linda
'Tuxedo Junction' left at midnight last night for Vava'u and we'll be doing the same tomorrow night. Today we dinghied more than a mile from our anchorage at Ha'ano Island over to Nukunamo Island for some beachcombing. We had hoped to anchor there yeterday but it was overcast and without the sun, seeing the reef and coral heads surrounding the anchorage was impossible.
Somewhere I got the idea this was an excellent place to find shells but it didn't hold a candle to other Islands we've visited in the Ha'apai. Pete on 'TJ' won't be disappointed to have missed out. The island is uninhabited and has a beautiful beach. We circumnavigated on the sand and through a bit of native bush. Foa Island where we bicycled the other day is only a short distance to the south and they say you can swim across at low tide. Maybe next time!
Back at the anchorage we went for a snorkel while the sun was still out. We've had some pretty dark clouds today but no rain. The coral and fish were excellent but our biggest surprise was encountering one of the villagers who was out spearfishing for his dinner. We both came around the corner of a big coral ledge going opposite directions and I nearly jumped out of my wetsuit! We both popped our heads up, said hi, laughed and went on our way. As an aside, the water here is not as warm as you'd think so I wear a lightweight suit so I can stay in longer.
Tea and biscuits to warm up when we're back on board then it's time to start some dinner. Brad will probably beat me at cards tonight but the loser gets to choose the game next time. Favorite games on board, SkipBo, Bananagrams, Rummikub, Cribbage and lots of card games.