We continued our exploration of the islands North of Taveuni, by first moving across to Yavu Island. Yavu island is uninhabited. There are two small sandy bays which it is possible to anchor in. You have to look carefully because a lot of the seabed is coral. We deployed the kayaks, and snorkeled the numerous coral reefs. A local fisherman, William, came by and offered to get us some crayfish but unfortunately it was too windy.

We then moved to the Southern end of the reef and left Budd reef by Taranaki Island. We headed for Quamea. Once you get through the reef you have a flat seawhich runs alongside a series of volcanic islands, There is the occasional village and the occasional resort. In most cases the resorts seem to be under repair, or disused. Partly a result of the hurricane, but equally one suspects lack of demand. Our first stop was a bit inauspicious. We dropped the anchor near a disused resort. The resort was originally built by Malcolm Forbes who is apparently buried there. The resort was ransacked in one of the coups and is now owned by the Austrian founder of the Red Bull empire. A friendly guard waved from the quay, but then a small boat came up and told us we should anchor further out, since the resort owned the sea. We refused and they made a show of asking our names. etc. You mustn't go ashore without the permission of the manager, and he won't give permission. However, since we had plenty of time we moved further West and anchored in a small bay behind Matagi island. Matagi island has a functioning resort on the South side, but on the North side is an absolutely delightful circular bay. We anchored there surrounded by beautiful coral stacks, with the sound of fruit bats and other birds coming from the island. The island is particularly gorgeous since everything is perfectly proportioned. The sandy beach, the high cliffs which make the bay uninhabited. There is a small hut at one end of the beach for guests of the lodge to enjoy the solitude when they are boated round for a special picnic, but that is it. A gorgeous spot and thank goodness we didn't stay by the deserted resort.