Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
against human nature. I must hasten to add, dear reader, that Gavin and I are the least feisty
lads you could ever wish to meet. Whilst it is painfully ironic that during our cruise to date
we had been involved in two fights and myself in three, I had not raised my fist in a fight
before these ugly events for over twenty some years and only when provoked beyond the
point of endurance. I am embarrassed to relate to you these facts, but I would recount the
true facts of our voyage, such as it was, and am quite certain you would have it no other
way.
Kevin came over later that afternoon and apologized for losing his temper during the night,
announcing that they were leaving that morning for one of the other numbered islands on
the map. “This one is deserted!” he said with a twinkle in his eye. Penny decided to sail
with her parents. She felt that she wasn't spending enough time with them. I concurred but
still took this news rather badly and was struck with a black depression for the whole of
that day and for days thereafter. I had a nasty verbal fight with Gavin, blaming him finally
for all that was coming down and he stormed off in a huff above decks. I remained in a
huff below. I lay in my bunk for most of that day and the next hardly able to move from the
beating I had received. I was stiff and sore all over, and my jaw ached terribly. I think I had
a cracked rib.
One day later saw a truce on-board Déjà vu, and we silently up anchored and set sail for
an uninhabited island as well, reputedly with great shelling and fishing. I think we both
missed Penny but appreciated the extra space and reprieve from her sometimes exhausting
presence. I needed a break from her, and Gavin had felt a bit rejected of late.
We looked at the little piece of paper with the numbered islands dotted around, and saw
a large one that was deserted and had a couple of exclamation marks next to it. I vaguely
remember Eva and Mike had marked this one for us. We wondered where they were. I tried
calling them up by radio, but we were either out of range, or they had their radio off.
We hoisted full main and Genoa now on this beautiful day. The sun was up and there
was a warm gentle ten to fifteen knot trade wafting through the islands. We could smell
the fragrance of tropical blossoms and woodsmoke in the breeze; it was intoxicating. We
found the sailing around Tonga some of the finest we had ever experienced anywhere in
the world. It was an area that was well-protected by islands and reefs. The wind seldom
rose above ten to fifteen knots, and the seas were remarkably flat, creating idyllic sailing
conditions.
Out went the fishing line, this time with a silver spinner at the end. We could just make out
the island we were headed for, roughly about eight miles away. An hour or two of glorious
sailing, flat seas, warm musky trades, bright, glittering aquamarine water, birds capering
