27 May - Vava'u at Last

0600 position 18-37S 174-06W. Hove to off of Vava'u

Last night after it got dark I said to Rocky, "Look, you can see the loom
of the lights in Neiafu."

"How big a town is it?" He asked.

"Well, you might be able to find your piano player there," I replied.
Rocky's quest for an air conditioned bar with a piano player continues,
and this time I think we are on the right track.

We've had a tough couple of days sailing under reefed main only, but we
have made it to Vava'u and the mast is still standing. The wind did end
up backing to the east as predicted by the gribs which allowed us to come
up to our desired course. It was bumpy and wet the entire way with swells
from three directions and lots of wind. We had to weave our way through a
line of shoals that extended the entire 167 mile distance from
Niuatoputapu down to Vava'u. Most of these shoals were 100 feet deep, but
why take the chance? This afternoon we sailed within sight of two
islands, Fonualei and Toku. We averaged better than four knots for the
passage, not bad for only a single reefed main set. But we are very
thankful that the wind direction cooperated and we could reach the entire
way. If we had needed to go on the wind we might not have made it at all.

When the sun comes up we will power in to the maze of sixty islands that
makes up Vava'u and begin our two and a half month adventure there. It
won't be all fun and games though. We've got to replace the headstay and
roller furler. Lori has been working frantically to get them organized so
she can hand carry them with her when she flies out on June 3. Our first
order of business after arrival will be to go back up the mast to get some
crucial measurements she needs before ordering parts.

Rocky and I are looking forward to finding a bar, listening to some piano
playing, and ordering some steaks.