By Ann-

The customs official. Quite the rugby fan

Our mooring protection

Vava'u

Settled into our mooring

Some days are all about playing games. And I love playing games! Today was one of those days. The goal of today’s game was to get all four Tongan officials to sign off on our arrival. You can’t rush this though. They say that patience is a way of life in Tonga and if you don’t have patience-they will teach it to you! We are being careful to be especially patient.

The only way to get all of the necessary sign offs was to release the cherished mooring ball that we snagged last night and head back to the dock where the officials could board the boat and play the game. We “released” it, but attached a fender with our name written all over it since all the moorings are taken and there is now a waiting list. But remember, we are on Tongan time so we were at their mercy.

When we got to the wharf there was no available space so we grabbed an available nearby mooring ball to wait. But why wait on the boat when we can go put our faces in front of the officials so we jumped in the dinghy and headed ashore. It was a good move because we were able to get the necessary customs forms filled out and ready to go. But seeing three other boats tied to the wharf awaiting their turn we figured we had time for lunch.

Upon our return from lunch we could see that a large yacht was preparing to depart. We rushed to the dinghy and quickly back to Charisma, let loose the mooring ball and noticed that another boat was already headed that way. Fortunately sailors are really nice people and when we asked if they could possibly move as far down the dock as possible so we could fit they were happy to oblige. So now both of us we tied to the wharf, bow to bow, waiting for the games to begin.

It wasn’t long before the first of the four officials, Customs, came to the dock. Please note that the wharf is really for large ships and so that first step down to Charisma is a big one. As big as our five rung swim ladder! But the ladder was perfect and the official came aboard (all 280 pounds of him!). Then we waited again. Next we welcomed Quarantine office followed by the Health Official. (All of these officials collect fees to help support the Tongan government.) And finally…drum roll…the Immigration Official boarded Charisma! This gentleman was quite chatty and we have officially been invited to a Kava Party (more on that after the event) and we will be attending the championship rugby match Saturday afternoon as his guest. It’s amazing how friendly these people are.

But, best of all – Four in a row! We win and can return to our mooring ball. The fender that we attached to it as we pulled away with our name written all over it did the trick and fended off any poachers! So we are officially checked into Tonga and not a moment too soon as a dozen more boats came in today looking both for a mooring and to check in. Many are spending the night over on the “other side” of the bay on tenuous anchor holds, in line for a mooring and still not checked in since they don’t have all four of the requisite official stamps. Tattoo mana strikes again!

So we are pleasantly moored in a huge bay with about 60 boats either on mooring balls or anchored and all far enough away to afford all of us some privacy. And due to the protected nature of this bay the water is like glass, the voices of choirs practicing on shore drift over the water (as do the dogs barking and the rosters crowing) and we look forward to whales cruising through as well. I think we are going to enjoy Tonga! God save the King!