17:46.3S 177:11.6E Fiji Update
Babe!
Paul & Trish Ducker
Thu 4 Jul 2013 06:06
hard life to go and meet our beautiful second grandson Rafferty & his
equally gorgeous big brother Jude. We didn't tell a soul just told the
girls we wanted to Skype as we would have a great connection, arrived at
the airport (never flown to Australia in 4 hours, it was great) hired a
car & off we went, an hour later we arrived outside Kady's neighbour,
set the iPad up & hay presto we are on Skype, leap out of the car &
walked towards the front door while the girls are saying how sunny &
lovely it looks, yer we say the island is beautiful by which point we
are walking down the side of Lela's car, now in front of the window,
Lela looks round then looks confused, Kady in front of the laptop camera
in hand taking photos of us on Skype cause we look do clear, we are now
walking through the front door saying high guys, all hell breaks loose,
screams, tears, OMG's and lots & lots of cuddles we have arrived for a
week full of the great times and memories, so very glad we went!!
The above meant we had to stay sober and leave Vanua Balavu immediately
after the party! So the plan was to leave at about midnight and re-trace
our track out of the reef system, for which a few were worried we'd not
make it in one piece! However it transpired that they had Villa Maria,
our staple vino diet, so plans got changed to leave at first light and
push for still getting into Denarau Marine on Viti Luva for Thursday
before dusk (as needed to eye-ball through the reef system). Was a
flipping push as well, but managed to get in around 5pm - just made it!!
So nice meal in the large resort centre at Denarau before getting up for
a 5am taxi to the airport. Tried to check-in and got told tickets were
not valid, um - after chat with supervisor it appeared we booked for a
week later, oops my mistake, so eventually fixed with the application of
a little charm!!
So back in East Fiji now, been sailing around the Yasawa islands for the
last week and a bit, visiting many islands, including the place where
the Blue Lagoon was shot, though didn't bump into Brooke Shields,
although in saying that wouldn't recognise her even if I did! However
when we were there we had a great evening with a local family, including
a lovo (food cocked in the ground) and yet another Kava (local drug
drink) & a sing-song welcome from all the family, including their 4
children. Felt compelled to treat them to some western dancing which as
always was well appreciated!!!
Sailing between the islands is fairly tricky with numerous unmarked
reefs. Sensible advice is to approach an island when the sun is behind
so that you can see the reefs under the water and take evasive action.
Umm worked well until one afternoon where we were a little late and
decided to head for the Mana island to ensure we got good shelter in
case the wind picked-up. Ended up with the sun directly in our eyes. No
worries we thought, the very narrow channel entry was marked by
beacons.......except the starboard marker at the start of the channel
was partially submerged and couldn't see it, OK I thought we just keep
the port marker to our starboard side, based on the buoyage system used
in Danarau Marina. Depth drops and we get a call from the ferry behind
telling us we're just about to hit the reef - emergency stop and we'll
follow them in - turns out they swapped the buoyage system round for
some reason?? Still managed to get in safe and again a great hidden gem!
Kady has joined us from 30th to 12th July, aiming to conquer here fear
of sailing?? OK so far but she's only done a small trip between a couple
of islands with no sail out. Tomorrow (Friday) we set off for Vanuatu
group of islands, 500nm away = 3 day sail, let's see if she (or us for
that matter us) are still in one piece when we get there!?
So we're currently in Musket Cove Marina - what a spot, surrounded by
white and beaches and moored again a pontoon linking the main island to
a little islet which contains a bar and bbq and little else - think
we've arrived in probably one of the most beautiful places on the planet
- it's amazing everywhere we go it just gets better / prettier!!!
Looking forward to Vanuatu!
Luv,
Paul & Trish
Photo's:
a) Jude and Rafferty
b) Game of chaise
c) Oz's have a shop for everything
d) My idea of a Brazilian
e) Who says blonds have more fun
f) Quack-a-duck
g) Typical anchorage in Malolo island
h) Fiji landscape very different to others
i) Flamingo OK after being rescued by Corn Dog (Nelius)
j) Another social
k) Results of a cold - or hangover
l) Another Gem of an island
m) Oyster pirates
n) Sotto Vento at close quarters
o) Babe looking pretty in Blue Lagoon
p) Babe looking good in Blue Lagoon
q) Bay in Blue Lagoon
r) Local cake shop in East of Nanuya-Sewa
s) Corn Dog with his new mate George
t) Panoramic view of Blue Lagoon
u) Family at Lovo party
v) Lovo Meal
w) Good Coral
x) Party time
y) Back Garden
