Strega - log 23-06-08

20.05.2008
Bora Bora - Cook Islands/Rarotonga
On the way to Rarotonga we had strong winds, some squalls with lot of rain. Happy to caught a big Mahi Mahi of 120cm!! We arrived Rarotonga on a saturday morning in darkness. It was market day but we could hardly get ashore because the rain was pouring down. Found a good bar and finaly the sun decided to show up. Next day we rented a car and went aroud the island, it wasn't far but very charming and we found a small hotel where we had a cold beer - nice. It was now time for Izzet to fly back towards Berlin and Strega felt very empty.

31.06.2008
Rarotonga - Niue
Stocked up before leaving to Niue with Windflower. Niue is a gigantic corall cliff with hundreds of caves and other formations. Compared to Rarotonga Niue is very poor, deserted houses everywhere and no fancy hotels or bars. Even though it rained a bit we had a great time discovering Niue by car the second day. Didier from Windflower came along and we snorkeled and climbed into caves.
We went diving with two guys from Talulah Ruby, Andreas is considering to do his Padi licence soon but not with the (friendly) niuean seesnakes around therefore he sayed on the boat this time.

07.06.2008
Niue - Kingdom of Tonga
Checked out the following day and left for the Kingdom of Tonga. The crossing offered a lot of waves and wind strait from behind, which meant it was hard to sleep with the main banging and rolling back and forth. The moon was not up but it wouldn't have mattered much since heavy rain clouds covered the sky most of the time. Sailing in between with Genacker very fast. One sunny day before arrival but closing up on Vava'u darkness and rain was upon us again. The charts of Tonga are wrong so we had to wait for daylight befor entering the harbour.
Rain, rain and more rain, is this really paradise? At least we found some really good restaurants and bars. In one of our favuorite bars we had live music and cava night and while me and Jens had a quiet day in the boat Andreas went to see a transvestite show in one of the bars, apparantely a lot of fun! Yes!!
Finally got out of the harbour and found some nice anchorages, we had BBQ on the beach and visited a small spanish restaurant in the middle of nowhere, they made a great show with tango and music.
Checked out on 16. and go for BBQ next day in another anchorage in Tonga Islands. Had a great one with live music - stars are Gerry, the spanish guys from Talulah and Wolfgang. Excellent! Later on starts a party on Strega with about 20 people on board, dancing in the cockpit and a bit too much Rum! Really! Skipt next day leaving because a big hangover needs a quiet day..

20.06.2008
Tonga - Fiji
Left the rainy wether in Tonga for a sunny sail to Savusavu, Fiji. A nice southeast wind took us safely through the Lautuka-pass by night - lot of reefs and a french frighter with collision course are a good entertainement. At least we sailed around him and he was very closed. Sunrise over the hills, we like Fiji already. We are now moored and waiting for customs hopefully it will be easy but we have heard the opposite. Customs worked out with a lot of paper - but still fast. The marina has a good restaurant and bar. Had a welcome beer too much and in between Strega got a lot of water from a big pooring rain because some hatches are still open.. sh...