Of all the ARC boats, we ended up being the only one who stuck to the program! We had split into two groups in order to fit into the mooring field in Nuie. After a few days when the second group left a sort of panic developed regarding the weather predicted for the Nuie stop. A few went directly there then left promptly while the second group got in a flap and rushed off elsewhere (Aitutaki and Samoa) to avoid weather but ended up in worse! We decided to head on to Nuie and by the time we arrived the weather had settled and we had a perfectly nice time with not one other boat in the mooring field. So, after our stop, tour and dive/snorkel we headed off to Tonga to join the first group who had left early. Nuie was a lovely little island with super people. 1500 live there but 20,000 live in New Zealand! The land is owned by the local families and can’t be sold, only passed down. When you die you get buried in the garden. The cemetery is for non locals. So, when you drive around all the houses have graves in their yards! The island is known for it’s extensive caves both underwater and on land which are individually owned by the local families. We went into a few of the land ones and Peter and Paul (WARC guy) did a few cave dives. Kirsten, Kurt and I did a snorkel tour which was good but the highlight was being dragged by their dinghy through the dolphins as they played around the boat. We left for Tonga with Paul on board as hitchhiker. I think he had a nice restful time in Nuie with only us to look after!

This is what you do with your dinghy once ashore. It then sits on the dock till you come back.

Lava rock pools

Pretty swimming pool

With Paul at the Nuie Yacht Club

Self serve bar at Washaway Cafe. You run your own tab and serve yourself……No crime on Nuie.

This was on the bar - but the guy didn't know what it was - any ideas??