FIJI
We had an uneventful 3 day sail to Fiji with light winds and calm seas, but we did manage to sail all the way, although a little bit slowly for our liking. Our first landfall was the town of Savu Savu in Vanua Levu the second largest island of the Fiji group. It’s a sleepy little town with a well stocked fruit and vegetable market and pirated DVD films for $1!
The first couple of days we just chilled out enjoying the sounds and sights of a new country, before hiring a taxi with Pam and Jim (Delicado) and crossing the island to Labasa the largest town on the island.
Here the population is mostly Indo – Fijian, so Bollywood tunes seem to waft through the air and ornate sari’s can be bought for hundreds of dollars. The highlight of the trip was lunch at the Palmlea Lodge, which is run by a couple of x yachties. They had built a beautiful lodge and 6 self contained Bures overlooking the northern shore of Vanua Levu .
As usual time was running out so we have started our journey across to Vitu Levu mostly inside the reef following ‘Curly’s’ waypoints. Unlike French Polynesia the navigation markings here are very poor and not to be trusted, many a yacht has hit an unmarked reef.
Unfortunately we said good bye to our cruising buddies Delicado, who we have been with since Bora Bora. They were planning to come with us across to Vitu Levu, but the night before, we were having dinner on Innforapenny and when they came to leave their dinghy had gone.
It probably got loose from the gusty winds we have been having.
Consequently, they stayed in Savusavu to look for it along the shore line and if not successful they will look for another one to buy. Hopefully they will catch up with us later.