Sunday was Father's day in Fiji. The Planters Club hosted a lovo or traditional Fijan meal in the afternoon for members and any others such as us cruisers. We arrived a bit late due to rain but our meal was reserved for us. On the plate was wood fire roasted pig and in ground cooked chicken, breadfruit, taro root and palusami, parcels of taro leaves saturated with coconut milk and onions. The Planters Club is interesting in itself having existed since the colonial days when planters on the island came to town. Today the Club has a hint of its colonial days from its architecture, wood construction, and a 50 year photo of Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. There is a bar, terrace, squash court and large hall where people were watching the rugby match between South Africa and Argentina on a large flat screen TV. Rugby is the most popular sport in Fiji.

We have been restricted in our movements by the almost constant rain, off and on, since we arrived. Indeed, tomorrow they are forecasting another heavy rain day. Curly, the local guru on navigation and host of the VHF net, has put out a warning on the dangers of coastal boat travelling during this wet weather. The many rivers of the island are ejecting a lot of sediment with the runoff effectively hiding the reefs along the shore. On the positive side we are enjoying the moderated temperatures which usually get up to about 25 degrees during the day.