Tiare Taporo's adventures in the NC Lagoon

Well today we had intended to go back to Ilot Tenia where David wanted to surf on the reef and we would do some schnorkeling but the wind was still from the SE and was getting up to 20 knots even relatively early in the morning which would make the anchorage out there untenable. So, we decided to head north to a tidal creek not in the cruising guide but which would give access to La Foa where David and Mary were very anxious to visit after reading our earlier blog about the cuisine at the Hotel Banu!! However, the anchorage is at least 10 miles from La Foa and the difficulty is getting transport into town without breaking the bank. The anchorage itself, while secure, is in a shallow tidal estuary which has very little protection against wind and is singularly without visual merit.
We had an uneventful trip north to here today but had to follow a fairly tortuous path avoiding shallow patches and reefs through the lagoon. We had up to 25 knots of wind particularly towards the latter stages of the journey. This part of NC is quite uninteresting - much as our car trip up the island. Completely unlike the lushness of the E coast. The landscape is arid and the islands where anchorage is possible equally boring. All surrounded by very extensive coral reefs which usually would make an approach to anchor difficult and unrewarding. We had an extensive walk ashore this afternoon and for part of that walked across what passes for a farm in this part of the world. It seemed to be a deer farm judging from the fences but we didn't see any deer. We did however have to scale the deer fence at one stage which was a bit taxing. Then we had a beer at the local pub where they were showing the Rugby match between Tonga and Canada being played in Whangarei. Quite bizarre being in a remote place like this and watching something like that. We didn't see Murray Wilkinson sitting there!! We hope Whangarei gets its money's worth from the $18M investment in the stadium. Hard to imagine from just 1 or 2 RWC matches.
We are at anchor at position 21 degrees 51' S 165 degrees 49' E and the wind has died down. It is now 2215 on the 14th. Sept. Time for bed and whatever adventures await on the morrow. We'll probably stay here tomorrow but then will be leaving for the north. We are at the northernmost extremity of lagoon navigation now and the next 100 miles or so will be outside the lagoon in the Coral Sea.
Cheers and watch this space.....................

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