We made our way to the western side of the container dock at Neiafu port at 7AM (UTC +1) on Monday to secure a spot and hopefully get in at the head of the queue to clear out. Clearing out was pain free, with the Tongan officials friendly and efficient as ever.

We left the dock around 10AM, with the two poles ready for the headsails and the staysail hanked on. We made sail as soon as we left the port, heading west for Savusavu, Fiji, 3 days and 400 miles away.

We made 115 miles in the first 24 hours, and the passage started well, with a fair wind and reasonable seas. After a few hours the sea state became more washing machine-like, but we soldiered on.

We motored a few times during the first night shift and by 1AM shift change the wind had died completely so we struck all sail and motored. The sea state improved and, as we are blessed with a full moon for the three nights of this passage (and a “blue super moon” at that), making the night bright as daylight. Very pleasant.

On Tuesday afternoon the easterlies freshened just enough to push us along at 4 to 5 knots. This made for very relaxing conditions on board, and both off watches got good sleep.as w headed for Lakeba passage, where we crossed through the Lau group, leaving the “Malan Bank” a comfortable 5 mikes or so to port.

After a very pleasant day of downwind sailing on Thursday, we arrived in Savusavu well before sunset yesterday. We were met at the channel entrance by a guide boat from Copra Shed marina who took us to a mooring close to the Copra Shed wharf. Our neighbour there, “Zwerfkat” was not too happy with how close the boats were (and I think he had a point) so we had to drop the mooring again, only to be taken to another mooring just as close to other boats, except this time we had two neighbours within about a boat length as well as a pole sticking out the water saying “pipeline, do not anchor”.

We elected to move into the Nawi Marina this morning!