17:40.819S  177:23.179 E

13/10/08  Vuda Marina

Yesterday we left Denerau and motored all of 7 miles or so to Vuda Marina on the promise of a Sunday Afternoon Jazz concert which turned out just to be a live group playing at the Yacht Club Bar Restaurant.  However it was pleasant way of celebrating Steve’s Birthday along with Paul and Jo from OVER DRAFT, a boat so named because it was built with a keel several inches deeper than designed.

There are dozens of mostly small yachts quite literally in hurricane holes, and it looks  quite bizarre to see so many boats with their keels underground and supported by  piles of old tires.

We had dinner in a local resort and the waiters sang Happy Birthday to Steve after first doing the same for two other celebrants.

We’re off for a swim on Beachcomer Island before heading on to Lautoka in order to check out with customs and immigration.  The lonely Planet says: “Lautoka creeps up on you like a deliciouis noontime nap.” Hmmmm….we’ll see.