Our departure from Hunga Lagoon had to be timed with the incoming tide, which meant that it was time raise anchor and make way to our next anchorage Vaka’Eitu, aka Anchorage 16. The southeast trades were still very fresh so I chose a less direct, but more protected route. It should be noted that navigation in the Vavu’ archipelago is not difficult… the second time through. But the first time can be challenging, because there are many small islands and rocks which must be identified… and … GPS lat/long coordinates are so imprecise that they're not useable. Basically, navigation here is like keeping track of exits along the New Jersey Turnpike, except you use islands/rocks instead of exit signs to know where you are . Even though the chart of the entrance to Vaka’Eitu seemed straight forward, as we approached the anchorage there seemed to be small islands/rocks everywhere. It took a few minutes to sort out, but we were soon out of the howling trade winds, tucked behind a high palm tree studded bluff, just off of a small beach. And, we were the only boat and apparently the only humans, in another picture perfect spot. Later, after dark and after the clouds moved on, the Milky Way became visible. Without the interference of any ambient light the view was spectacular.
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