We are currently enjoying a few days in the Yagasa Cluster of islands: a group of four islands surrounded by a fringing reef. When the tide is high the swell gets over the reef and causes it to become rolly inside the reef but when the tide is low the lagoon is beautiful and tranquil. Yesterday we carefully worked through a reef to get to an inner lagoon to enjoy a place rarely visited.

We have now been off grid for nearly four weeks. We were reflecting on things that we normally take for granted in our home life that have disappeared from our current lives for the time being.

1. Unlimited running fresh water. If it doesn't rain we need to make every drop with our water maker. If your water maker fails you are probably heading back to Savusavu, unless you have an understanding buddy boat with a good water maker, or unless it rains. Many boats here harvest rain, ourselves included.

2. All-you-can-eat internet. In fact, any internet. We can send short messages only by satellite, so those ‘ask Google' moments just don't happen. It does make for better conversation.

3. Social media. We are enjoying being disconnected from this for a while.

4. Easy access to shops for food. We need to carry weeks (months) of food, and just make do with what we have. The locals can live off the land and the sea; we have a lot to learn.

5. The idea that money has value. Here it is useful to have a little cash but the locals can clearly live pretty much without it. You can forget Mastercard - it's far more useful to have some spare petrol, spectacles or toiletries to trade.

6. Next day delivery. Next month, maybe, on the supply vessel - if weather (and Covid) permits.

7. Instant access to medical services. Communities have a local nurse and an occasional visit from a doctor who comes by longboat. We understand that average life expectancy is not that high here.

8. Phone a friend. There is no phone service down here in the islands. We are lucky to have a satellite phone but we keep it for emergency calls and downloading weather only.

9. 24-hour TV news coverage. We are happy to leave that behind. We get some regional news headlines on our SSB radio once a day.