Pacific Odyssey - Leg 3

Today was a very different day; the weather set the tone for the day.  It was cool and rainy, clouds for the entire day.  We were pulling out our sweatshirts, light jackets, pants and T-shirts from the deep recesses of our nets.  To me, it could have been a cloudy summer day on the west coast, trip 4.  We actually felt cold and would go below to get out of the wind!  Gillian made a huge pot of hot chocolate this morning, something hot we could help ourselves to. Today was a big day for Tongans; Britain played rugby against the Kingdom of Tonga and beat them, although I heard that Tonga fought hard and that it was a good game to watch.  Since we arrived yesterday, we´ve seen everyone walking around in red shirts, the national colour of Tonga.  Because of the cooler weather today, those who were going to go whale watching and cycling, changed plans and caught up on internet and shopping, drinking coffee and eating delicious food at the ´Tropicana Cafe and Internet.´  Today being Saturday, everything closed at mid-day.  This cafe was open basically because the 35 of us took turns filling it and enjoying the atmosphere there.  Gillian and Katie were able to do a massive shop today.  Katie said they found the biggest selection of fruit and vegetables at the market here, more than at any other stop.  They were also able to stock up on some staples.  In one of the shops Gillian noticed the owner watching an old episode of ´American Idol.´  The woman noticed Gillian and started asking her who the different contestants were; Gillian was tempted to tell her who she should vote for, as Gillian remembered seeing this episode.  Gillian cooked an amazing supper of roast chicken, brown rice and a wonderful green salad with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and peppers.  The ´trebuchet´ team visited the hardware store today and bought 2x4 ´s to build the triangular-shaped support frames.
They´re ready to try it out on the passage to Fiji in a few days. Jacob loves it, as do the other 2 little boys, not to mention all the ´big´ little boys inside each of us.  A Japanese fellow, single-handing around the world, which Skipper and Jordan met in
Victoria is here in Neiafu with us.  He has been sailing for 2 years already and has plans to sail for another 8.  He came by the boat and spent a wonderful hour with Jordan and Skipper, chatting and having a tour.  A couple from Prince Edward Island also came by the boat for a visit.  They have been sailing for 2 years and seem to be having an incredible time.  A week in Columbia turned into 6 weeks, they enjoyed it so much.  Tonight, work is in progress for tomorrow´s surprise birthday brunch to celebrate Arwen and Jacob´s birthdays.  Jordan has spearheaded the entire operation, initiating ideas and plans with a few trainees, several weeks ago.  Helping him are Carolyn C., Sam, Paul, Scott, Jen, Chase, and some more.  I was asked to make yogurt to go with the granola and fruit salad and I saw three bottles of Canadian maple syrup on the counter as well. Yogurt and maple syrup . . .mmmm.  I´ve heard there will also be hashbrowns, sausages, personalized omelettes, and pancakes.  Everyone, except the ´new´ cooks, who are waking up at 0400hrs, is being given an extra hour to sleep; breakfast is at 0900.  It should be fun; I´ll tell you more tomorrow.  Jen and Chase are busy making chef hats out of paper.  Tavish took the 3 Anderson boys to the Fish Tackle shop today and they spent a wonderful hour buying new lures and fishing equipment for the ship.  Lately we have lost several of our best lures and some of our gear; this will replace those and allow us to continue catching fish.  On the way back to the ship, Elske joined them and offered to hold Simon´s hand but he let go of her hand and went to Tavish saying,
"I want to hold Tavish´s hand."    Right now we are just finishing up Mug Up with those not involved in the breakfast preparations.  The singing is improving, but the second leggers have definitely been our strongest singers so far.  At 1600 hrs today we left the harbour of Neiafu and motored for an hour to another bay in the Vava´I group.  There are many small islands all around us, with a variety of beaches and good snorkelling.  We hope to snorkel tomorrow after Sunday service.  At 1400hrs tomorrow, we will leave the Kingdom of Tonga and begin our final passage of this leg to Fiji.  I know people are starting to think about the leg ending, many are continuing their travels to New Zealand, Australia and the Philippines.  The leg has gone quickly.  This is it, until tomorrow, good night, Bonice