Graptolite - Musket Cove to Port Resolution

Graptolite's Sailing Log
Martyn Pickup & Heike Richter
Sat 5 Jul 2008 03:40
17:47.57S 176:49.62E West of the Fiji Islands, Saturday PM

It has been a whole week without a blog from me but there is not a lot to
tell.

Vuda Point Marina was used as a base for a few days to explore Viti Levu
island by car. The towns of Lautoka and Nadi were interesting for their
Indian-Melanesian cultural melting pot, Hindu temples and sugarcane trains
but it was otherwise of limited interest for us jaded global travellers. As
in the island of Vanua Levu, the roads are mostly a mix of pothole and
speed-bump which doesn't exactly make motoring a pleasure. Heike has been
introduced to curries but it looks like it is going to take a while for her
to get used to them.

On Tuesday Belinda and Heike left for Nadi Airport. Belinda, to go back to
work; Heike, to have a quick trip home to Berlin. Frau and Herr Richter, I
hope you enjoyed your surprise visit. Heike will be back aboard this blog in
a couple of weeks from Port Vila, Vanuatu.

The next day, the menfolk, obviously bereft without female company,
celebrated by sailing to Musket Cove Resort on Manolo Laillai island. Many
other World ARC boats were also there. We managed to survive quite well on
barbecue food and beach bar drinks.

Today, Saturday, was the start of the next leg to Port Resolution, Tanna,
Vanuatu. It's just a small hop at less than 500 miles. Just before the
official race start the sky opened up and we enough heavy rain for the start
to be delayed and then the start changed to a safer guided line-astern
procession through the inner and outer reefs. It looked like a Spithead
Review of battleships. Nelson would have been proud.

Colin and I are now braced for a wet and windy trip to Vanuatu. We have
already abandoned German cuisine and have just had beans on toast. Bliss.


M