Fiji at last!! - 17.40S-177.21E

Oceanlady
Tue 1 Jan 2013 14:51

Hi everyone,
At last we have reached Fiji after a wet & windy sail, last night we had to hove too, as we arrived at 11pm and it was pitch black, not even the moon out
because of the clouds, there was 38knots of wind and half the entrance through a coral reef were not working, so felt safer out to sea.
So we had take it in turns to watch out, so come day break when we could see where we had to go we were glad we didn’t chance it.
Inside the large horse shoe of rocks are lots of small islands, now we have radioed in they say it’s a public holiday so we have to anchor and stay on the boat till tomorrow
when we can clear customs, it will give us time to eat some more food before we get it confiscated, also we have had to make lists of what we have in the drinks cupboard
give it to customs, if we drink any while we are here, when we leave we will have to pay duty.
When we get a shore we have to buy some big root plant and give one to the chief of every island we visit and ask permission to walk on his land, then it says in the book they boil up
the roots and make some drink that relaxes them.
Also we have to wear cover up cloths, not allowed to wear a rucksack or shoulder bag only carry hand bags, and have to have a smile on our face at all times,
So they seem very strict, let you know how we get on once we get ashore.Lat-17.40S-Long-177.21E Tonga to Fiji-580miles.
Hope everyone is Ok, Lots of love see you soon, Mum & Dad – Margaret & Alan xxxxxxxx=

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