Setting Sail for Niue

Saturday, 21 August 

An early start this morning before setting sail for Niue. Sails were up and set by 6.45am. We are running with a poled out jib and we are having a wonderful sail. Cyndy made scrambled eggs for breakfast underway in 10 – 15  knots of winds from the east. We saw a Kena bird as we left Palmerston. It is silver and black and resembles a booby. Edward told us that there are red beaked tropic birds on the outer motus of Palmeston. These islands are where the residence go camping for holidays. A supply ship only comes every 5 months and this is their only transport to Rarotonga. These supply ships are very  inconsistent and visits can stretch out to 7 months. Imagine not being able to pop down to the supermarket and only having fish and rice as a consistent diet. Yachts are welcomed  enthusiastically and are their only source of red meat, fruit and vegetables, medicines, cleaning products, cordials  and items that we take for granted are delicacies to these wonderful people.

  

I have mentioned before that the highlight of our passage has been the enthusiastic hospitality we have been given since arriving in San Diego in January. Edward, Shirley and their family have invited us into their family and shared unselfishly everything that they have.

Cyndy & Stephen with Palmerston Island in the background

Sunday, 22 August and Monday, 23 August

Passage from Palmerston Island to Niue Island. We have been sailing on electric blue water for as far as the eye can see in all directions around Salacia as if we have the ocean to ourselves. The only visitors have been single Tropic birds ( white with long tails)  flying around the yacht and then moving on across the clear blue sky to who knows where. We’ve had beautiful clear days and bright moonlight nights with only the shifting and fluctuating ENE winds breaking the idyllic setting to keep us working to ensure that we are on target for Niue. Consequently we have had a combination of fast smooth sailing with a poled out headsail and times when we  needed to motor sail due to the light conditions.  Motor sailing however ensured that there was oodles of very hot water for delightful showers that were thoroughly enjoyed by all before Stephen cooked a delicious brunch. Other highlights of the passage was seeing a rainbow at night in the bright moonlight  and sharing drinks on deck while we watched the beautiful sunsets on the ocean each evening.

Niue is the largest raised coral island in the world covering 100 square miles and rising from very deep water. In 1974  Niue became self-governing in free association with New Zealand. As we neared Niue we were greeted by many flying fish and were able to get a great view of the cliffs  that are indented with numerous limestone caves that surround the island. We are now moored comfortably in Alofi Bay awaiting the  immigration and customs officers clearance tomorrow morning before visiting the island.