Hi Everyone!
Yes, we are still alive, we are still in Tonga, we are having a great time!
Sailed back down to Hapai two weeks ago to pick up a couple of friends that had flown in from New Zealand. The weather couldn't have been any better and we did some amazing dives, had whale encounters, caught a yellow fin tuna, had a fire on the beach and just a marvellous time really! Then the wind picked up and we all sailed back up to Vava'u. Beautiful night sail and good nighttime navigation into the harbour!!!
Now the friends have left and we have the boat back to ourselves which is not a bad thing really!! So have been busy with minor maintenance jobs, lots of reading, chilling out, watching lots of american boats coming in, etc.
We have got another 2 months in Tonga which is great!!! There is still lots more to explore so we will keep you up to date (sort of!).
Hope you are all well. Take care,
Steffi and Richard

Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2008 10:03 AM
Subject: Richard's Feast

Hi Everyone!
All well in the Kingdom! We survived the joint celebrations of the King's Coronation and Richard's Birthday!!! Had a great Tongan Feast with the special appearance of a young and yummy pig!!!!
Still having a great time, off to the Ha'apais again next week to pick up the next guests!!! All lots of fun and just can't get enough of the sun and the amazing water!!!
Hope you are all keeping well!!!!
Lots of Love from the Crusoe Crew!!!

Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 3:17 PM
Subject: What did you do last week?

Greetings from the Kingdom of Tonga!
All well aboard Crusoe, enjoying the cruising in the friendly islands! Made it up to Vava'u, absolutely loving it! The weather has been fantastic, light winds, lots of sun and the clarity of the water is almost ridiculous!!! We managed to fit in a lot of diving and even put Nicky through her Open Water Course!!! The fishing has been very good too, we have a nice collection of fishtails hanging of the radar pole including Sam's Blue Marlin, Yellowfin, MahiMahi, Wahoo and others.... But I let the photos speak for themselves.... Hope you all well, missing you heaps....Steffi and Richard

Hi folks,Crusoe calling.
Well we made it, finally.Took a little longer than expected,15 days in total ex Napier.The passage went well ,although we did have a couple of gales and swell to 7m which wasnt a heap of fun.Spent Steffi's birthday hove to for 24 hrs east of the Kermedecs.Had some equipment failure including the plotter [no fix],stay sail furler and the nav lights getting swept away by a big one.
Without a doubt our star performer was Peter,our 5th crewmember.He's reliable,stays on course,doesnt get seasick,keeps 24 hr watches,makes no noise and wont eat you out of house and home.I refer of course to our Windpilot wind steering which seemed like a large expense at time of purchase but has proved to be indispensable.
Just south east of Raoul Island we hit a spell of good weather and managed a swim in the Kermedec trench in some 8000m of water.The water was gin clear but still couldnt see the bottom!!pretty cool.
Day 11 of our passage we were around 27 south ,Sam and I had been trolling lures from sunrise to sunset since we left with no success and more than a little piss taking from the female members of the crew.All this was to change.Around midday,,just as lunch was ready one of the reels started screaming out and I looked aft to see a Yellowfin Tuna jump clean over the second lure after having a good go at it.We were loosing line quickly so we furled the Genoa and hove to pretty sharpish.Really glad I bought some decent sized reels as we had some 300m of line out before we were ready to start playing the fish.Sam took the rod and it was obvious we had a good fish as he asked for his gimball pad after only a few mins and not long after that his harness.The fish put up a hell of a fight and was taking heaps of line,but Sam doesnt give up easily and after some 15 mins we saw our first flash of colour.After a couple more runs we finally had a beautiful Yellowfin on the surface.I was on the gaff, got a clean shot and started to lift but didnt have the strength to lift it over the side.Sam gave me a hand and it finally came on board.Wow what a beautiful fish.Any of you who know Sam will appreciate hes a big lad and he could only just lift it,it came up to his chin from the deck and we have the photos to prove it!! 50 to 60 kg no problem.Sushimi central !!
Over the next few day we had some good southeast winds of 20 kts and a couple of 120 mile days which is pretty good for Crusoe.Caught a smaller 15 kg Tuna to.
Around 100 miles out from Tonga we lost the wind again and fired up the iron genoa .Came across a pod of 15 or so Pilot whales including a couple of calves and a good sized White tipped shark cruising along .By now the water temp had reached 23 degs and was a beautiful deep blue/purple.
The last morning of our passage saw us off deep water west of Nuku'alofa and as wa headed in we were passed by 2 beautiful Humpbacks.Welcome to Tonga.
Spent all morning trying to raise customs on the radio so gave up and just tied the boat up med style[stern in]along the wharf like the dozen or so other yachts.Launched the dinghy and steffi went ashore to sort out formalities.She came back 1/2 hour later with customs and maf but neither wanted to come on the boat.Welcome to Tonga.
Spent the last few days in Nuku reprovisioning and refueling.Fuel is Tongan$ 3.40 a lt.The price is cripling the economy.
Have spent a fair bit of time around Fiji and have to say Tonga and the Tongans are much nicer.As a tourist the locals are far less pushy,a little reserved at 1st but soon warm up and have a great sense of humour.We have found them extremley polite and very helpful.Nuku is heaps cleaner than Nandi or Suva.Have had heaps of laughs around town,Sam and I seeming to be the main source of amusement for numerous reasons I wont write now.
Currently anchored off a little island 1 nm from the port.Big mamas yacht club has a great little bar a sandy beach.
There's a wreck just off the beach which is teeming with fish,Sam and Steffi dived it yesterday.I took the windsurfers ashore,set them up on the beach and had an amazing time in the 15 kts of breeze.Infact if i was honest I might have over done it a little as by the end of the day my back as completley stuffed.Been over a year so not match fit.Can't be the age.
Being a pom i guess i have to mention the weather,its great.Not too hot,not too humid with occasional overcast days for a bit of respite from the sun.Tans coming along nicely.Have been following the nz weather.Never mind !!
So beginning of the week we are off to the Hapai's, the next island group up north. Known for very clear water, superb diving and fishing and lovely white sandy beaches.
Will keep in touch with you!
Cheers, Richard and Crusoe's Crew

By the way: special thanks to all the Waikawa Crew that has helped us to make this adventure happen. Kent and Josee, your bimini, sail ties and mozzy nets are absolutely fantastic!!

m