Around the World

23 February 2013 | Similan Islands Thailand
21 February 2013 | Bay of Bengal
15 February 2013 | Cinque Islands
15 February 2013 | Henry Lawrence Island
12 February 2013 | North Button Island
10 February 2013 | Henry Lawrence Island
09 February 2013 | Havelock Island
06 February 2013 | Neil Island
04 February 2013 | Rutland Island
01 February 2013 | Andaman Sea
30 January 2013 | Port Blair
26 January 2013 | Andaman Sea
26 January 2013 | Andaman Sea
03 December 2012 | Burma
02 December 2012
08 November 2012
08 November 2012 | Thailand
08 November 2012
10 June 2012 | Rebak Marina Langkawi
06 February 2012 | Malaysia

Copra shed marina

25 June 2009 | Savusavu

Michael was unfortunate in having his birthday during a crossing for the second year running. The day dawned promisingly, the sea was still rough and the wind strong, but overall things were slightly more comfortable and we even took out the reef on our mainsail and put the fishing lines out. Trouble came later in the day. Towards the end of the afternoon we decided to reef the main sail before dark - we would be going through a pass in the dark and the winds were forecast to increase. The reefing lines jammed so the genoa was flogging while we tried to fix the problem, the genoa then tore and simultaneously we got a large fish on the line - not surprisingly we lost the fish and yet another lure, but did manage to sort out the main sail and furl in the genoa before more damage was done. Luckily the damage to the genoa looked like a relatively simple sewing job for a sailmaker, and we ended the day with a celebratory beer and a lamb curry that Jackie had made earlier. Despite having no fore sail (the wind was too strong to put up our larger sails) we managed to sail at 6 knots plus, so some consolation.

We traversed the pass into the Kora sea using GPS and cross-checking with the radar and for a while the sea was calmer so we had a better sleep that night. The following day the wind increased further so we were shooting along at around 8 knots, enabling us to get to Savusavu mid afternoon. The last part of the journey was somewhat scary as the shallower seas and increased wind made for large and uncomfortable waves and high speed. Rounding the final reef into the calm of the bay we must have hit well over 10 knots, but luckily not the reef - wouldn't like to do this bit in the dark.

It was bliss to get into the flat waters of Copra Hut marina where they sent out someone in a boat to show us to our buoy and tie on our ropes for us - what luxury! We got in behind Harmonie and Scallywag, both of whom had damaged their sails too, but most of the rest of the fleet were well behind us and wouldn't get in until the early hours of the morning. The marina also arranged for customs and health to come aboard almost immediately. We had 3 officers from Health, one who was agriculture, one who was health and another who was I'm not sure what. They were all fine though - much better than last year and they even allowed me to keep the sacrificial fruit and veg I had put out for them (the rest were elsewhere). We then had a visit from a charming customs woman called Mary and then we were clear to go ashore. We went out with Storyteller and Harmonie for a truly excellent meal in a small restaurant on the marina, before collapsing into bed and enjoying a whole night's sleep on flat water.


Next day we went ashore in the morning to take over laundry (first step in trying to de-salt the boat and us) and explore Savusavu. Fiji is composed of two large islands, Vitu Levu and Vanua Levu where Savusavu is, plus over three hundred smaller islands. Savusavu has a beautiful setting - a single line of buildings alongside the water in an inlet in the large bay. Steep green hills rise up behind the town and high rainforest mountains are in view around much of the horizon. The town is a vibrant mix of Melanesian, Polynesian and Hindus - all of whom appear to mix and get on very well. (Very different from our experience in Lautoka last year) Many of the Native Fijians speak Hindi as well as English, and the reverse is true of the Indian population. There is also a small group of Chinese and a few ex-pats. Most of the general stores are owned by the Indian population, the grog shop is Chinese, as in Tonga, and the market is a mix of Asian and Fijian produce from the local villages.
Comments
Vessel Name: Lady Kay
Vessel Make/Model: Lagoon 380
Hailing Port: Falmouth
Crew: Michael & Jackie Chapman
Lady Kay's Photos - Main
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Created 1 March 2013
Ha'apai islands with Tamsin and Paul
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Created 31 May 2009
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Created 13 August 2008
Petra & Bob's birthday party
10 Photos
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Created 24 July 2008