Ahoy there, sea lovers! Chief Mate Jess here, back with another instalment of our oceanic escapades. This time, we're blending fitness with fun as we explore the stunning Tongan Islands.

Our latest adventure began with sending my crew ashore for a snorkel around the coral gardens. For those unfamiliar, Tonga’s coral gardens are a snorkeler's dream come true, boasting an underwater paradise teeming with vibrant coral formations and a dazzling array of marine life. Unfortunately for us the weather was a little to rough to actually see anything!

But before the crew could dive into the marine wonders, we had another challenge on our minds: The Push Up Challenge. Originating in Australia, this initiative encourages people to complete a set number of pushups over a few weeks to raise awareness and funds for mental health. Naturally, we jumped—or rather, dropped—right into it.

Now, I must admit, I somehow always end up being the last person to finish my pushups for the day. While my crew knocks them out with the ease of seasoned sailors, I huff and puff my way through each set, looking more like a fish out of water than a fit crew member.

The challenge has become a bit of an obsession onboard. Those participating have taken every chance they can to get ahead with their pushup count. It’s become a regular sight to see them on the foredeck in the morning before breakfast, pumping out reps in military style ashore on the beach, or even cranking out pushups on the back of a moving truck. Yes, you read that right. On the back of a truck.

Despite the pain and the occasional groan of protest, it's all for a good cause. If you’d like to donate, you can click on the following link: The Push Up Challenge.

After their morning snorkel, my crew returned to the boat looking chuffed, having knocked out half their pushups and, once again, leaving me far behind on the count. With everyone recharged and ready, we then motor-sailed back to Neiafu to replenish our fresh supplies and clear our inter-island travel paperwork with customs.

Once the bureaucracy was out of the way, we motored south to anchor inside Afo Island for the night. The next day, we decided to stretch our legs with a lengthy walk back into town, anticipating the night sail ahead. However, Alicia wasn’t having any of it. With a wave and a smile, she flagged down a passing truck, and before we knew it, we were all piling in for a bumpy ride back to town.

After enjoying a delightful lunch at the Bella Vista restaurant in Neiafu, the consensus was clear: we needed to walk back to work off all the delicious food. With full bellies and tired legs, we set sail for the Ha'apai group at 5 PM, aiming to navigate the reef system before sunset.

The forecast called for 20-25kt SE winds and a 3-4m swell, so we knew we had a big night ahead of us. Not surprisingly, this yacht disguised as a ship powered through the conditions. In fact, we had to slow down to reach Uoleva Island after sunrise. Sailing a boat that thinks it's a freight train has its perks!

Upon arrival, we were greeted by yet another beautiful sandy beach just off the anchorage. Today was shaping up to be yet another tough day in paradise. But hey, someone’s got to do it.

Tomorrow, we'll head to Pangai, the main town in Ha'apai, to check in with customs and continue our exploration.

Till next time, Jess :)