We didn't think it possible, but we are here on Monday. At 1410 local, we dropped anchor in about 35 feet at: 12 29.186S, 177 07.039E. If you check with Google Earth, we are just outside the little bay, just past the bommies. We took a look inside right neat the dock, but with a military boat docked, there just didn't seem to be room. We have reports and indeed, coordinates showing that other boats have anchored right there. We declined. Too close to the corals, too close to the dock. Any movement whatsoever, and you likely touch things you might rather not touch.

Either way, it is exposed here. It looks much more like a bay on the chart and the Google photo, but to the east is the reef. It should afford protection from the swell like the reef in Papeete did. But, when it blows from the east next Thursday, we are going to feel it, but there should be no drama with the swell. The bottom is good sand and clear, such that we could track our chain for quite a ways even though we are in 40 feet. I wanted to go shallower, but the coral beach and its breakers are "just right there". 40 is fine. Maybe we are just too conservative, but so be it. By the way, it might be interesting, so the anchor coordinates of friends who were here before are: S12 29.247S, 177 07.256E. We looked. We turned around. Not us, thank you.

The reason we are here is that the wind did keep blowing for a while last night. Then, it just stopped. Nothing. So, rather than drift westward, we thought we might as well motor until the wind came back. Then, the wind came back, and we decided that we were close enough to motor sail in. This would save us from drifting until Thursday. So, here we are, safe and sound.

It is classic Fiji, very beautiful, with lush trees, dramatic rocky beaches, even a white sandy (but small) beach. Today is Rotuma Day, celebrating the handing of Rotuma from the British to the Fijians. There was a big celebration on the beach, so when we came in, had our look, and went out to anchor, we were seen. The party was only a stone's throw from us. Within half an hour after the hook, a boat load of very nice guys from Customs, Immigration, Bio-Security, Agriculture, and Health. came out and joined us on board. We are now checked in, wine and dined, and now it's nap time.A

Peace Rod and Elisabeth