This is the place that must have inspired the pop-up cards, you know the ones Hallmark wished he developed way back in the 30's. The ones where you have the foreground of twinkling water a layer of lush green with the pop up of tall palms then shadows of grey and blue mountains repeated over in paler hues of blue grey with smaller row of palms along the ridge of those distant hills and then the backdrop of crystal blue sky with the sun's only presence is the shine on every palm branch like it has been brushed with paint colour called 'sunshine'. This is what we've seen so far in the northern parts of Fiji and that combined with the big white smiles from every person in the street makes for a perfect visit and one where you don't ever want to leave. This anchorage in Savusavu has Condesa tied to a mooring ball in the still waters of the bay surrounded by those extra tall palm trees the ones that get a big bow in them as they yawn out over the mill-pond water. One of the (few) things we have missed whilst crossing the pacific is the sounds of birds and at last we have the likes of tweeting music to our ears here in this stop. Actually speaking of music and I am glad I had the boys witness what I am about to tell you or you would think I have gone coo coo. The birds here are as happy as the people themselves so much so that when we were having lunch at the bistro across the road we noted that the loud bird nearby was actually keeping in time with the 80's music that was playing and it was not a fluke this went on for a few songs. That made our day as we have been starved of the sounds of Australian wildlife and we keep telling Pedro of our fondest memories of the radio program - Australia all over with Macca. Oh don't get me wrong we have actually seen 'ocean going' birds and whilst they didn't make a sound they made their presence felt by always circling the boat a few times, then hovering over the cockpit to check out what was happening onboard. They were probably looking for scraps or a perch to be had, but left without either. Cute as this was, it frightened the life out of me one night when I was laying back looking at the stars and next minute I was being eyeballed by the black shadow that hung in my view. A bit confronting as there is not much to say, just to sit up and be counted by them before they flew off. Now as I sit here in the beautiful resort of Jean-Michel Cousteau I can hear more birdlife calling from the waterfall deep in the rainforest behind me (and I see in the brochure in hand). However I am torn between lying back here on the day bed under the trees (with tea and cookies) watching he who hums and Pedro put the main sail back in place before our 4 day hop to Port Denarau, or swimming in the glittering pool that has a bar in the middle or walking the beach or ...as I told them I'll be swimming to the reef just out there beyond my toes. Maybe I can squeeze in two or three activities in the island pace before the sun sinks below the blue grey mountains in the distance. Tomorrow we head off, everyone has been talking about this leg as it is in behind reefs and some are concerned about the GPS plotters being out by a distance. So as we left Savusavu and headed to this resort to cut an hour off our 8 hour trip tomorrow we see the trail of 2 other boats that have now dropped anchor near us and will be heading off tomorrow. It is all very exciting as it will be pleasant calm day trips (after we cross the bar tomorrow) and stopping in beautiful protected anchorages along the way. As much as we too love our GPS plotter we will be sailing in the clear of the day where we can see what lies ahead of us. Now, what lies ahead of me right is a stroll of discovery and the birds are calling my name so I am going to follow them. (maybe they are not actually saying jennyg but it sounds enticing so I have time before my dinner date to follow them)