After a brisk one night sail from Beveridge Reef, we arrived at Alofi, Niue and went ashore to clear customs. Niue Island – South Pacific
We went to the top of the hill, made a right hand turn and walked to the Niue Yacht Club. This facility is and was most helpful for visiting yachts. We were given a mooring assignment here, showed the free wifi system and then sat down to some serious ice cream eating at “Mamata’s”….. Niue Island – South Pacific
This is a shot of the wharf/pier at Niue. There is no sand beach anywhere on the island and all vessel traffic must come ashore by way of the wharf. For we small boats with small dinghies, the technique is to come up to the steps, swing the rope in so you can get everyone ashore. Then hook up a bridle to the electric hoist and raise the dinghy up to the height of the concrete. Swing it over and wheel or dolly (provided) it off to the side “parking lot”. The red/white marker you see is one of the leading marks to help guide cargo vessels into the anchorage area. Niue Island – South Pacific
This is the first topic everyone discusses when thinking about coming here by small boat. The “landing system”. Here you can see several dinghies “parked” off to the side. We were just beating in a big weather system too and were happy to insure we had a mooing; 17 were available. Niue Island – South Pacific
The Parking Lot Niue Island – South Pacific
Like many customs offices in the small island nations of the Pacific, they are mostly pretty informal structures. Niue Island – South Pacific
Can you tell who owns this car in Niue? Mamata ran the ice cream parlor, sandwich, coffee clutch and hosts the Niue Yacht Club. She was not only a delightful person, but very helpful along with Commodore Keith in arranging whatever needs the local “boaties” had. Niue Island – South Pacific
It turned out that several of the boaters had August birthdays, so a group birthday party was arranged at the NYC (Niue Yacht Club). Friends from s/v Curious, s/v Visions of Johanna, s/v Albatross III, s/v Proximity and s/v Bubbas were amongst several of the celebrants. Niue Island – South Pacific
A GAM is a “gathering of all members” and essentially we “boaties” are all members of the cruising community of vagabonds. Here is Ruth and Rob (left) of S/V Albatross and old friends Peter and Diana from S/V Quickstar on the right. Niue Island – South Pacific
The birthday bash was on and a good time was had by all. Niue Island – South Pacific
Keith and lovely wife Sue are New Zealander “ex pats” living their retirement here on Niue. Keith puts out a daily email blog for the cruisers giving helpful info including weather reports. He is sort of the island greeter and helps cruisers with any arrangements they might need. Niue Island – South Pacific
Keith and Mamata were co-hosts and Master and Mistress of Ceremonies for the big birthday party. Niue Island – South Pacific
One of our Birthday gals, Alison (aka Fly Girl) from s/v Fly Aweigh. She might just be your next pilot from LA to Australia on United Air Lines! Niue Island – South Pacific
Brian is from M/V Furthur (that’s a Selene 48 foot POWER boat), all the way from Seattle. Dr. Bill is “El Capitan” of s/v Visions of Johanna. Niue Island – South Pacific
Here is the parking lot where we were all getting provisioned for the oncoming predicted blow that would hit Niue within 24 hours. We saw 30+ knots at the anchorage and unfortunately it flipped over Atlantic 57 catamaran s/v Anna en-route from Tonga to Niue. s/v Anna left in predicted bad weather to be on time to help “Whales A-Live” (whale organization) in their quasi research project. Whales A-Live in our opinion is not what it appears to be. Nuff said on that. Fortunately, Captain and crew of s/v Anna were rescued quickly by a passing cargo ship, “Force Pacific”. Niue Island – South Pacific
This cargo ship arrived to rescue s/v Anna and crew of two after 18 hours upside down between Tonga and Niue. They were diverted while en-route to Niue (their normal cargo run from New Zealand) and picked up Captain Kelly and his crew. Also, we boats at the anchorage had to stay away from the wharf and watch the anchoring drill to make sure we didn’t get in the way while they were here on their once monthly delivery. Niue Island – South Pacific
Here at Niue, like many Pacific Islands, they depend on their monthly or more frequent cargo vessel to arrive and re-supply the island. This is the equipment used to place the containers on trucks to move them to warehouses or small businesses here on the island. Niue Island – South Pacific
Here at the “NYC”, we get free Wifi and can connect to all our friends and family around the world. It isn’t great internet, but it works! Niue Island – South Pacific
This is now three months after Cindy’s “owie” from the Crown of Throrns starfish injury she sustained in Maupiti (French Polynesia). The venom is like 10% cobra venom and causes tissue damage in susceptible people like Cindy. In January 2011, this is still not resolved…..She’s had two minor surgeries to remove residual spine pieces and all we can now do is wait. Hope springs eternal! Niue Island – South Pacific
This is Diana from s/v Quickstar, a local and Cindy buying organically grown veggies on a day tour of the island. Niue Island – South Pacific
Niue is famed for it’s rock formations close to the ocean. Here we see Peter on the left of s/v Quickstar and Cindy. Niue Island – South Pacific
These deep canyon like gorges are all around the island. We took on some of the more sedate hikes. Some of our friends on s/v’s Visions of Johanna and Curious took on some of the technical climbs. Too much for us, great stories for them. Niue Island – South Pacific
Here at the north side of the island, we were at Talofa Arch. The hike is a bit strenuous, but the caverns, view and arch at the end were worth the hike. Niue Island – South Pacific
The caverns are carved out from centuries of water action. Niue is one of the few islands in the pacific that is actually rising out of the ocean over time. Niue Island – South Pacific
This is the arch at the end of the tunnel. The reef you see in the foreground is underwater at high tide. Niue Island – South Pacific
Cindy, Diana, Peter and I spent several hours exploring just this one cavern hike. You can see it’s pretty extensive. Niue Island – South Pacific
Great views and a great day! Niue Island – South Pacific
There were several side systems in this cavern to get into and out of and around the main trail. Peter is exploring one of these. Hiker beware! Niue Island – South Pacific
This cavern led to an overhang and view, spectacular, but be careful! Niue Island – South Pacific
This spider was pretty good size and I had to watch that I didn’t put my head through his web. Don’t know if he’s nasty, but who wanted to find out! Niue Island – South Pacific
Apparently Pigs are the big thing….Just read the sign, it needs no further comment except….Welcome to the South Pacific! Niue Island – South Pacific
The island is riddled with caverns that have access to the water. Locals for centuries have used these to protect and launch their canoes. Niue Island – South Pacific
Peter, Diana, Cindy and I check into one of the nice lunch spots after our day tour. It’s a lot hotter and more humid than you might imagine and we’ve done quite a bit of hiking. Think real tired…..poor babies!…..:) Niue Island – South Pacific
Back at the wharf/parking lot. We’ve stocked up and are thinking about getting ready to move on to Tonga. Cindy would fly to New Zealand and do some ground work while meeting sister Alberta. I would take “Beach House” solo in tandem with Diana and Peter on the one day, two night trip to Vava’u Tonga, most northern group of the Kingdom of Tonga 250 miles to the west. Niue Island – South Pacific
The snake gully adventure (see 08 – 2010 – Niue UNDERWATER Gallery) was the highlight, but Niue is also known for occasionally having humpback whales. This year they were late, so we would get to have our “whale of a time” in Tonga! Annie of Dive Niue is on the lookout for humpbacks. Niue Island – South Pacific
The big guy “spy hops” to take a peak at US!……. Niue Island – South Pacific
Here, Rod and Elisabeth of s/v Proximity give Sue and Keith a “Pacific Puddle Jump” flag, class of 2010. We would all be leaving for Tonga the next day. Farewell Niue. We wish you well…. Next stop, Vava’u Tonga! Niue Island – South Pacific
