Anyone out there in Tonga?

[tongabound]

I will be out in Tonga at the end of the year. I am wondering if anyone on this forum is out there and what they think of it and the surrounding areas. I suppose I am most interested in the culture, the feeling of the natives to the "outsiders," and ease of acquiring goods and boat supplies.

Thanks for any advice/recommendations! Hope to see some of you out there!!

[tongabound]

No one? Anyone close? Or been there that has some insight?

[chris_gee]

You probably won't be in Tonga at the end of the year since it is hurricane season, and it will take quite a while to get your boat ready for long blue water passages.
Tonga has pleasant sailing, but is in effect a subsistence economy. That to some might appear cute or interesting but others might find it boring within a few days. Sitting on a warm beach might seem better than snow and going to work but the value is in the contrast not prolongation.
Although it is a fairly common destination for cruisers boat repair facilities would be limited.
You can find more from the many logs which describe Pacific passages. People differ in their responses to the different cultures.
Your website says you have found the boat and are going to South America. Now it is Tonga. With all due respect maybe you best do some in depth research into all that is involved in escaping the rat race in a boat.

[tongabound]

chris gee - Thanks for your input. Actually the boat is already in Tonga, so I will be arriving there in the hurricane season, and that is why I wanted to know what to expect with the weather and what not. I actually sit on a warm beach more days than not, living in Santa Barbara, and I think it is great! I did say I was going to South America, but I also noted in that same post that things can and do change. I was offered a chance to buy a boat in a different location than I originally intended, after I wrote that post. I appreciate your comments and concerns with regards to living on a boat. I am aware of what it involves, and I am also aware that I will have a lot of "on the job" training. I am pretty excited about the challenge. Take care.

[chall03]

Hey George,

I was in Tonga earlier in the year.( By Plane sadly, not yacht).
I actually live next door to a Tongan church and community Hall in Sydney and it was with a Tongan friend that I went across earlier in the year.

It is an amazing cruising ground. Just gorgeous. The country is as Chris says above ummm interesting....

Cyclone(to us) Hurricane(to you) season is usually November to April anywhere in the Pacific south of the equator. outside of that you want to be north of the equator or in a cyclone hole somewhere....

[chall03]

So you have bought a boat in Tonga?? You did not buy the J33?? Is that the case?
When you have some time do tell!!