2 September 2010 - Niue Adventures

We’ve rented a car for a week together with David & Janet of Navire so we can do a lot of adventuring on Niue, re-visiting some of the places we went last year, as well as seeing others we missed.
 

Today we decided to go to the far side of the island. We collected our gear & met onshore at 0930. It was a bit overcast for our 40-minute drive across the island to Togo Chasm, but the sun came out while we were there. The amazing landscape of soaring spiky black coral pinnacles was no less stunning for having seen it last year, nor was Togo Chasm a disappointment, with its surprising grove of palm trees. It was fun remembering being there with our big group last year, celebrating BB’s birthday, but it was nice to have the place to ourselves this time around. We clambered over the craggy rocks – being careful of ankles & shins - the whole length of the chasm to the green pool at the end with the cave. That spongy moss carpet is so surprising after walking on the white sand, & it is such a contrast to the rugged rocks all around us. I wish there was a way to get into that cave, but no one wanted to swim across the scum-covered stagnant pool…

The cave where Simon doused his camera last year was not as wild & wet since the tide was lower; we were able to climb up on the big rock right under the arch & enjoy the fury of the sea breaking onto the pooled terraces. It feels very powerful there. The water running off the rocks is mesmerizing. It’s a small space & the water noise makes it too loud in there to talk much, so we all just stood around & enjoyed it.

When we emerged, David noticed a coconut stuck far up in the rocks & wondered aloud how it got there. Then he realized it had been thrown there. There were coconuts all over the sand, so he picked one up & tossed it towards the gap in the rock, trying to get it to stick. It was a good game, & we all joined in, continuing to throw coconuts until each of us had succeeded in getting one stuck.

From Togo we drove to Anapala & did the short hike down the 99 steps to the perfectly still pool in the narrow chasm. Since we were alone, we didn’t bother with our bathing suits, but the water was very cold. We didn't swim when we were here before, so were very pleased & surprised to find a swim thru! We had the underwater lights with us, so were able to discern that it was a passage, but it was very spooky. BB was the bravest & did it first -- not sure I would’ve done it if he hadn't gone first, since in the dark it was hard to tell how deep it was. I went next, & was thrilled to see the beautiful underwater stalactites in there. David took a long time to get up the guts to do it, but finally did & was very pleased with himself. Janet had gotten out long ago -- too cold for her.

After ascending the steps to the warmth of the sun, we walked down to the water & had a picnic lunch in the wind so the mozzies wouldn't get us. Janet had fixed a very nice lunch for all of us; we had agreed that we'll do the same for our next all-day outing.

On our return to Alofi Bay, we stopped at Israel Mart for ice cream, meeting Avi, the only Jew on the island. In talking to him, BB discovered that his relatives live in Long Beach.

We were all pretty tired, but there was more fun to come. We had planned our music/book exchange/dessert party for 6:30pm. We invited everyone in the anchorage, but the big groups from the megayacht & the waka boat (old-style Polynesian double-hulled sailing vessel) didn't come. However, Navire was there, as well as Liberty, Falcon GT & 3 guys from the new arrival, a Polish boat named Nekton. When I asked what nekton means, I was told it’s the word for things that can propel themselves through the water, as opposed to plankton, which is carried by the current. Interesting! Good boat name….

After putting all the books on the table & making our exchanges (we got that fishing book we were planning to buy!), we all sat on deck enjoying the stars, the music, & the shared desserts.

Another outstanding day in Niue.

says ADR