Team Infini is in theTongatapu Group, Tonga

Position: S21deg07.5min/W175deg09.7min. We had a pleasant overnight sail to Tongatapu, our final destination in Tonga. Of interest, besides all the whale watching, is that we used our new staysail for the first time during this short 65 nm passage and are very happy with it. Actually, we're anchored off Pangaimotu Island, a few miles away from the harbor in Nuku'Alofa. Getting back and forth is what a friend of ours called "a wet dinghy ride." Hmmm. We'll be checking out with Officialdom, do a last minute laundry and provisioning, and final prep for passage to NZ. We're checking the weather daily, and figure we'll be prepared for departure in the next few days. Lots of other boats are showing up here; all staging for departure to points south or west; five other vessels have anchored nearby us in the last hour. There are parties right here at Pangaimotu Is. sponsored by the All Points Rally folks of Opua, NZ, here at the end of the month, as well as mid Nov. in Opua, but our planning usually precludes specific commitments for stuff like that; if we're here, we may join the party...unless departure is imminent! We've met Big Mama and her husband Earl, the owners of the island here, and had a delightful talk with Anna (Big Mama's real name) earlier. It's her birthday Oct 28th, and many yachts are expected to participate in her party also. Always something going on!