We are still in Fiji. It's been 2 months now. We haven't been doing much except having fun snorkeling, enjoying the resort swimming pools, hanging out at resorts. It's hard to avoid them, because every island has a resort, or there's a reason the island is not developed - no anchoring protection, no beach, etc. There are a few resorts that are exclusive, so they don't welcome yachties, but most do. Jim has been surfing a few times and would like to do more, if the conditions were good. Lately it's been real windy except in the mornings, but then it's too low tide to surf the reef breaks. We caught a fish that was too big for us to eat, so we sold it to a restaurant on Mana Island.

Our refrigeration broke down in Tonga and for a few months we were without the fridge. We did have a small cooler that plugs into 12volt car plug. That helped keep things cool, but drained our batteries. We finally got it repaired a few weeks ago in Vuda Pt Marina. It was a bad solenoid valve. An easy thing to fix, after all. It was hard to find the freon gas to recharge until we got to Vuda, but Fiji has most everything.

We really love hanging out at Musket Cove on Malololailai. The island bar is very nice, they light wood barbeques every night, and people bring their food, cook their own meat. The bar provides cooking utensils, plates, napkins, knives and forks, condiments, and bug spray. We have found 8 swimming pools and swam in them all. They are all saltwater pools, so easy to lay back and float around. We have gotten spoiled.



We will be leaving Fiji in a few weeks, to go north to Tuvalu, Kiribati and Marshall Islands. We'll be there for the hurricane season.

Hi everyone! We have been busy sailing around, having a lot of fun. After we left Vava'u, we sailed to Niuatoputapu. We had been there in 2008, and the damage from the 2009 tsunami was still very evident. So many houses were destroyed and many are still living in tents and other makeshift shelters - back on higher ground away from the ocean. We did help Paea at the medical clinic with setting up a solar panel grid for her medical supply refrigerator. Jim also did a few odds and ends repairs.

Then we left for Wallis Island, a French territory. It was a very nice place, with beautiful sand beaches on the motus and warm water and good snorkeling. The people were all very friendly and we enjoyed our time there. There were several festivals, with dancing and music. There was some political unrest, and some problems with electricy and water. But it was no problem for us. We traveled on the island by hitch hiking. We met a lot of French, Wallisian and other South Pacific Islanders living there. We would like to go back again some day.

Now we have arrived back in Savusavu, Fiji, where we were last year. We will be visiting some new islands that we missed last year.

We arrived here in Vava'u on June 16 ahead of some bad weather. We checked in with the officials, caught up with our shopping and went exploring various anchorages. Our favorite so far is Kenutu. To get there you have to go through a pass between coral head and reefs, but we had no problems, and it was worth the trip. The water was clear, and the beach was great. We explored the island - hiked a trail to the weather side where big waves crashed against the rocks.

Yesterday there we went to the Catholic Church service, and enjoyed the beautiful singing. Then, in the afternoon there was a Tongan feast at the Vava'u high school celebrating their silver anniversary. It was great fun, with tons of food that was prepared and stacked up on tables. There were more than 2000 people and the atmosphere was festive.

The weather has been beautiful since we left Nuku'alofa. The winds are light with no rain. We are snorkeling every day in crystal clear water. Jim found a surf break at Uohukuhihifo Island and caught a few waves. We went to many beautiful islands where there was no body else but us. Kelefesia, Limu, and Luangua. Having a ball.

Hi everyone.

We made it to Tonga in 8 days. Went surfing a couple of times on the west end 4-6 ft with light off shores. Heading north later today. See yas.

We are leaving for Tonga. Checked out with customs this morning, and left the marina. We plan to stop at Minerva Reef if the weather permits. We should arrive in Tonga in 9 or 10 days if we stop, or less if we don't.