We finally gave up our mooring ball in Viani Bay and headed Northeast to Qamea Island. We'd been monitoring weather forecasts for weeks, hoping for a temporary lull of the prevailing trade winds so we could sail to the remote islands in the Lau Group. As long as the weather gods didn't have a fickle change of heart, light Northwesterlies were on their way which would blow us gently Southeast from Qamea to Vanuabalavu (our destination). This is a big deal, as many cruisers plan to explore the beautiful, unspoiled reef-rimmed Islands in the Lau Group each year but never make it. The strong Southeast trade winds and accompanying swell rarely cease this time of year and make for an uncomfortable passage. As much as we had enjoyed our time in Viani we were ready to move on. We'd enjoyed some world class snorkeling and diving (Tom even got PADI certified after not having scuba dived for many ears. Dolphin Bay Divers were professional and laid back, and he couldn't ask for a more beautiful undersea environment to train in. We would definitely recommend them to anyone wanting to get certified or just dive in Fiji). In Viani we had also wandered the beach, taken a day trip to Taveuni for a day hike up to the Bouma waterfalls (definitely worthwhile) and re-provisioned in Somosomo before heading back across the strait to our mooring ball. We even made friends with a 3 foot long Remora, which stuck itself to the belly of our hull and waited patiently for food scraps to be thrown overboard after dinner each night. Actually, Reginald (or Reggie, as we like to call him) was originally adopted by our friends on Mauni, who spoiled him by feeding him bacon scraps. We had to up the ante to cajole him over our way!