22/09/2009 0537UTC 17 40.828S 177 23.159E Day 833 Up at 0545, 25C, Partly Cloudy, Wind Calm.

[Above, flowers of the Fijian spring.]

[A new chapter has been added to Family Voyaging - Ak to nZ.

In 'The Friendly Islands,' we... experience life (including school) on a remote South Pacific island, render assistance to sailors in distress, learn how to prepare a native feast, visit Oceana's yachting Mecca, get haircuts from a circus performer, see Rail Rider join the crew, and discover why Captain Cook misnamed this archipelago.

To read our book, and receive voyage planning assistance (VIP Service), go to the Family Voyaging website at www.familyvoyaging.com.]

A long, cold shower was the way to celebrate Fiji's first full day of spring. Seasons are somewhat more difficult to discern in the tropics, but there are still changes to be appreciated. Certain flowers do not bloom in the winter; and the temperature of the air is a little higher. But overall, the leveling effect of this latitude keeps rapid alterations of climate in the background.

The only real difference, of course, is the reversal of the annual pattern of the seasons. While our friends and family up north are digging in for the dark, chilly and gloomy months ahead, people 'Down Under' are looking forward to brighter times. Halloween and Thanksgiving are spring celebrations here; summer makes its entrance a few days before Christmas. But, like learning a new language or switching to the metric system, the 'backwards' seasons remain unintuitive and often mentally just beyond reach. It is not unusual for Northern Hemispherians (not really a word but I like it anyway and will use it again) to misspeak when describing the seasons. Some Americans we're acquainted with simply refuse to give it up and continue to refer to spring as fall.

So, as winter tarps are slipped over motionless boats in the cold harbors of the North Country, we're slowly readying ourselves to get the heck out of Dodge. In less than three months now, the start of summer will herald commencement of the hurricane season. For all of its divine points, Fiji is no place for a god-fearing Northern Hemispherian in the summer.

"Crew Quarters"

[They're all too frightened to write an entry after seeing a scary new movie downtown this afternoon.]