Hi
Lady Kay is now in Niue, which is a largish island formed from a great chunk of coral which has been thrust up about 200 foot in the air. The coast is a series of limeston cliffs with amazing rock formations and loads of caves. The island is full of chasms and caves full of stalactites and stalagmites. Together with Ann and Don on Harmonie we hired a small minibus and spent a day driving round the island. See 'photo of magic bus on 'main' road around the island. We saw hardly anybody on our trip and once out of town we only passed about five cars, three of which were hired by other boats. The best spot was a walk along the top of a chasm to these amazing caves and sea arches. Aided by a sturdy rope we scrambled down through the caves to the reef below - it was low tide and you could walk on the reef and see fish and coral in these amazingly clear pools. We then took another short walk to a large pool which is part fresh and part salt water. It is where the Kings used to bathe. It was a funny effect because the fresh water percolating down through the porous rock formed a cool layer about a foot or so deep on top of the much warmer sea water below. Great for swimming because you got your freshwater shower as you emerged from the water. The people here are great and we have had a couple of really good evening with them. The first we went to was a massive feast with almost everyone in the village cooking and bringing along a dish. The food was really great and ranged from various forms of sea food, including coconut crab and limpets, to roast wild pig. The food was followed by girls and boys of different ages performing a range of dances. Guess who got chosen by one of the older girls to join in - I thought she was coming to invite Michael, but unfortunately it was me - I did my best though! Apart from our first day here, the weather has been overcast and somewhat wet - not used to this. Due to an unseasonal low. Also means little or no wind interspersed with high wind squalls on our way to Tonga.
magic bus