20/09/11 - 01/11/11 Tonga-New Zealand, 1,303nm, 21,097nm Total

Well here it is the final post (at least for a while!), the trip from the wonderful island of Niue to Tonga and from there to home in New Zealand. The sailing was tough on both legs with big rain squalls from Niue to Tonga, and a constant strong wind from Tonga to New Zealand - the upside being it was in the right direction and we got home quicker than expected!
Highlights were meeting up with lots of boats we hadn't seen for a while, hanging out with some cool locals, watching the Rugby World Cup (especially Tonga beating France and New Zealand beating France!) and arriving in New Zealand and catching up with family and friends and moving back into our house.
Lowlights were the attempts by Tongan immigration to make money from lots of boats without giving receipts (they were amateurs compared to Panama!!!), some of the attitudes of expats living in Tonga towards the locals and the cold on the trip from Tonga to New Zealand! Fortunately the weather seems to brightening up for Xmas and summer might eventually be here!

 Raising the Tongan flag just after a rain squall passed through...

but it wasn't the last one we'd get before arriving!

 OK so it's my watch...no need to laugh!

 After we arrived the local Catholic church were celebrating - pity their band hadn't practised too much!

 We went to a local culture night to see dancing..

 and some where you were invited to stick money to the oiled bodies (it wasn't lap dancing though!)

 and the band played on....and got better the more cava they drank!

 Then it was onto a pig roast with health minister Pino and his family

 where they all helped in the washing...

 and the gutting

 and even the novices were allowed to take their turn....turning!

 and then it was done (despite my help) and it tasted fantastic

 One of the anchorages we visited

 with the sealife under the water

 and very clear water it was too

 with some good corals

 and a nemo fish (clown fish)

 And Nemo was guarding his mate the spotted conga eel below

 Whilst the other sealife didn't seem too bothered by our presence (must have heard about my fishing prowess!)

 But the Blue Chromis didn't stray too far from the protective fire coral

 The variety of fish was probably greater than many places we have visited

 Another beach another pig roast

 though I'm not sure if Carl is holding a torch or a microscope - the poor thing was tiny!

 But we all had a good time

 lazing on the beach

 We even got some lodgers that night - Raleigh was dog tired (sorry!)

 but seemed at home on Dolfijn

 Another night another barbeque, with Moses, Joe and Simon

 Moses had some of his relatives help with the cooking

 And on to the BIG night....

 With even the Brits wearing black clothing

 for the nail biting rugby world cup final

 Afterwards everyone relaxed and enjoyed a few beers

Until we realised that we were setting off for New Zealand the next day!

 So the New Zealand flag is finally out of the locker........

Whilst the first view of New Zealand was a little murky...

The real Kiwi hoists the flag!

 New Zealand customs boat welcomes us to the Bay of Islands and takes photos

Then it's home sweet home..

 Though the Morepork that watches over the grounds at night didn't seem too phased by us!