17.46S 177.23E
JENNY
Alan Franklin/ Lynne Gane
Thu 17 Jul 2008 01:09
Hi everyone, Alan here.
The sharp eyed amongst you may have notice a small
change in direction - actually the exact wrong direction, but only for a few
miles. We've literally just tied up at Port Denerau, which is a touristy, golf
loving area on Viti Levu. Peter and Jenny make a welcome return at
breakfast time tomorrow, and we are near the airport now, a short taxi ride
way - other people have used the air link to Malolo (Musket Cove) from Nadi
airport on this, the main island, and some have been bumped off by
overbooking so I guess that makes the Boat more reliable than the
plane!!
We spent a lovely long time at Musket Cove, its
just like the pictures of the south sea island, but sometimes you know you want
to move on - we're last but 1 to leave so again will need to play catch-up with
the fleet, if not Vanuatu, then I guess it will be in Mackay in Australia.
Everyone on the rally there enjoyed the place so much and had a lovely time
doing all on offer, diving, catamaran sailing (we don't do enough???) and the
island bar (where you end up if you fall off the boat) has just equalled
its half year profits whilst the rallies have been here.
A little on the downside was having to say goodbye
to boats Hakuna Matata, and Moonshadow. The 4 H-M's had been with the rally
from day 1 and leave so that Jeremy(the Dad) can start earning a living again
(what's that??), his sabbatical from a certain fizzy drink company at an end, so
back to New York for them, and regular school for the Bradley and Elena.
There was hardly a dry eye, and as many have done the H-M's and
the Moonshadows want to be at the (first) end of rally party in Crete
April next year - I think it'll be some party!
There seems to be a lot of Japanese around here -
I'm told they find it cheaper and easier to catch a plane, play golf, and fly
back, than be able to get a game of golf in Japan - ecological madness
but...
For a laugh (everybody else's that is) I tried to
play the golf course here - 18 holes no problem..... but 28 water hazards
(ACROSS the fairway) and 58 bunkers. I think I comprehensively demonstrated the
old saying the old golfers never die - they just lose their balls
---- 9 in total - no wonder there's all these little Fijian workers around
the course selling bags of "recovered" balls.
Anyway its hot!! I need a beer so I'll close
now. Peter back in the chair for the next instalment!!!
Bye for now
A
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