Pacific Crossing 2010-12
 

December 2011-April 2012  Southern Cyclone season in Tonga

 A chilly December walk back home in Newburyport, MA   USA

Amy, Otis, and Ollie 

Back in Tonga. Leaving the Ark Gallery to go to Neiafu for our diving course.

Karen hard at work with her students

Following Karen during our final certification dive

Our first cave

our welcoming party when we surfaced

Between dives with Dave from Soggy Paws

Our neighbors in Neiafu.  Veteran cruisers Jeff and Christy left San Francisco in the 90's and have seen most everything from Alaska to New Zealand, several times...

Cyclone Cyril, a total surprise to all forecasters and a direct hit on Vava'u and Shango. We saw 65-70  knot gusts.
As soon as it spun up to cyclone intensity and hit us it was back to a more normal low.  

Shango rocking and rolling with Cyril.

Tamar being tidied up after the cyclone.

The mooring for our good friends on Soggy Paws unfortunately dragged, placing them on another boat's bow.
Heart braking damage, but repairable and everyone was safe.

Back out exploring Tongan anchorages in the Vava'u group after almost 4 weeks of rain and Cyclone watching

James wanted to trade fish for fish hooks....we gave him a Coke and a fish hook and passed on the fish.
Everyone was happy.

First time we have seen squid at our boat

                The Coral Mound at Ovalau

The Coral Garden at Vaka Eitu

Swallow's Cave Kapa Island

Downtown Neiafu

Our island tour with Primrose

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Cyclone Cyril damage at the airport

                                                A recess attraction

Pele Leaves

KAVA

Our weekly dives with Dive Va'vau and Riki Tiki

Amy saying goodbyes to her friends at the Market

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