Nuapapu Island

 My last crew member Neil departed home to Australia and my next crew Guy was not scheduled to arrive from Australia for about a week.  I decided to go explore the Vava’u Islands a bit more while waiting with my first destination being Nuapapu Island to the west side of the Vava’u group (anchorage 15 on the Vava’u Map).  I chose this anchorage because it was well protected from the prevailing southeast winds and I wanted to spend some time cleaning the bottom of True North’s hull using my Hookah underwater breathing system.  After anchoring in a secluded location with no other yachts nearby, I proceeded to clean about half of the hull.  When I surfaced I found that three yachts who were part of the World ARC cruising rally had anchored nearby but they all soon departed over to the southwestern anchorage where about 20 other ARC yachts were already anchored.

The next morning I took the dinghy to shore to explore the two villages on Nuapapu Island.  I left the dinghy tied to a very rough coral wharf near the northern village Nuapapu.

 Coral warf

The road from the warf was very muddy and I soon encountered a group of 1/2 dozen men with two shovels “repairing” the road.  They advised that the road conditions were better towards their village.  The road took me past their farms and then into a very spread out village.

Bananas and taro growing under the palms

Coconut palm trees

Mixed farm field of coconuts and taro 

Solar power systems donated to the town by Japan

Town school to the left and houses to the right side and end of the field

As I entered the town there was a large open building with several women weaving mats of rush leaves.  I chatted with them and they said the mats are used on the floors of the houses and also sold at the market for some cash income.  After leaving Nuapapu I walked an upper road to the southern town Matamaka.  This town was almost deserted but the houses were more upscale including one which had a small number of resort rooms but was not operating.  I suspect this village is used by town people as a weekend residence.

The next morning I awoke to a beautiful sunrise and prepared to head to a new island and anchorage.

Nuapapu sunrise


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