Friday 16th June
We arrive in Niue at 7.45am and picked up a mooring ball. One of the easiest custom check ins that we have had so far, very laid back and easy. Day spent walking around village (consists of approx. 15 shops around a village green).
Saturday 17th June
Morning went for another wander this time a little further down each side of the village. Spent some time at Niue Backpackers which also is the Niue Yacht Club – the only Yacht Club in the world where none of the members actually own a boat. Met the fantastic Alexa (a NZ gal) who is currently looking after the backpackers and Eamon a NZ lad over on holiday.
Afternoon went for a snorkel around the reef which had heaps of fish before heading back to the backpackers for a few drinks before going “night-klubbing” at the golf club. One thing to note was we were hitching to the golf club. Eamon stood outside put his thumb out and less than 2 minutes later a car (heading in the other direction) stopped. The driver kindly turned around and drove us to the golf club – now that’s hospitality to the max!
Sunday 18th June
Did some snorkeling around the wharf which had an abundance of fish. In the arvo headed back to the backpackers where we all headed to the Washaway Café for a relaxing few hours. The thing to note about this place is the honesty bar. You go behind the bar and grab your drinks then write it in a book under your name. When you are ready to leave it gets totaled up and you pay – I so love the trust in the honesty system there.
Monday 19th June
Yet again back to the backpackers where Alexa had organised a guide for us called Steve (thing to note is almost every other guy we have met here for one reason or another has been called Steve). Anyway Steve was taking us and Eamon on a guided walk to the Vaikomo cave. An easy walk through the forest until you come to this little “cave” in the rocks where you enter and scramble down using ropes. Our safety talk at the top of this cave was “don’t slip” – gulp. The rocks were quite slippery but it wasn’t too bad as you had a rope to hold on to. At the bottom of the first part you had to lever yourself over the edge, holding your weight onto a rope, abseil down (not tied in) then had to step across a chasm and let go of the rope to grab onto a rock. Anyways we made it down and into the water. We had timed it perfectly with the sun shining through the cracks at the top into the water. We swam across the first section then had to dive under and up into a cave. Luckily the guide had a torch so we could just follow the light which we did. We swam across that cave then dove under again into a smaller darker cave. While I did enjoy it I was fully aware of a tiny voice in the back of my head repeating over and over again “don’t think earthquake, don’t think earthquake”. Anyways we repeated the dives in reverse ending back in the main chasm. From there we had to retrace our steps to get out. The scariest part I think and it wasn’t just me the other two were quietly packing themselves as well was when we had to scramble up onto the top of a rock then lean across the chasm to grab the rope (did I mention how slippery the footing was). You then leaned your weight fully on the rope and had to step your feet across then batman climb up for a few metres – my feet slipped a couple of times but luckily I was able to hold on tightly to the rope and support myself. Once we were up it was the easy stroll back through the forest to the car. You will see that most of the photos are a little blurry – I put it down to either adrenalin or just the plain fact my hands were shaking from sh*&tting myself.
Tuesday 20th June
A nice relaxing morning then we had Steve and Sheryl from Emma Louise come over for a few drinks. Later on Eamon and Alexa joined us for yet a few more drinkies. A very cool relaxing day
Wednesday 21st June
Eamon very kindly lent us his rental car which enabled S&S from Emma Louise and Craig and myself go exploring around the island. Saw some fantastic chasms, swimming holes and the best that Niue has to offer. We got back to the boat quickly freshened up before heading to the backpackers to meet Alexa and Eamon and down to a local bar for a fun quiz night where as seen on facebook the team of girls came in third overall and more importantly beat the team that the boys were in – girl power.
Thursday 22nd June
In the morning headed into the village green to take advantage of some free wifi before Craig headed back to the boat and I went to the Utoko reef which has a small little beach. I relaxed and read a book for a few hours before wandering along to the mini golf where I met Craig and we played a fun game – winners not important (okay he won). After the game stayed on for the happy hour which was 3-6 but went even longer and eventually everyone we knew both from the other yachts and locals turned up where we spent a nice evening just chatting and drinking cheap cocktails.
Friday 23rd June
We were supposed to check out with customs in the morning so we could sail out early Saturday however Craig jumped on the other NZ yacht and headed out with them for a few hours to go fishing (to no avail). Afternoon was spent snorkeling in the waters around the boats.
Saturday 24th June
Up early and into the village where we hitched a ride to the other side of the island to watch a touch rugby sevens tournament. After a couple of games we went for a wander to a chasm about half an hour away. Back to watch a few more games before hitching back towards town with Andrea (lovely Peruvian girl from the NZ boat). We all went for a snorkel and saw a massive sea snake. Craig and I then headed to the supermarket for some snacks (crackers and cheese) before heading to the liquor store to get our final duty free shop (as a yachtie you get duty free allowance 2 days after arriving and then again 2 days before you leave – amounts = unlimited ==sweet). Afternoon was then spent with Craig doing some boat repairs (always something needs repairing) while I sipped cold bubbles and wrote this blog. That night headed over to the other NZ boat along with Alexa and Eamon for yep some more drinkies and a fabulous dinner.
Sunday – only tasks are to upload this blog (happening right now) and go to the backpackers/yacht club to pay our mooring fees.
Monday – check out with customs then its sailing for 2 days and some hours to Tonga.
Final Note: I have absolutely loved this island. The people are as friendly and amazing as the ones we met in Rarotonga and in some cases even better. What makes Niue better however is the sea tracks, the chasms, the snorkeling, the clarity of the water. If you are looking for a winter break from NZ then I cannot recommend this place enough. There are no nightclubs as such, there are no pubs as such, there are no tourist shops as such. However instead of focusing on what this place lacks what it offers makes up for it all. Even though we are still so new to all of this, hand on heart Niue is my most favourite place we have been to so far. Go on take a break from winter and fly over for a visit (and no I have not been sponsored by the island marketing company).
Hello
The chasm is terrible!
Wonder why they bother with a warning notice?
Very glad you both survived.
Lovely photos of coral and Aron frolicking in bubbles.
Where did blue ring come from for Craigs artistic photo?
Is very good.
Keep healthy and uninjured! Probably take notice of warning notices.
Will be interested in what you think of Tonga.
Take care
Love Mum