First Stranded Yacht Arrives from Marquesas'/Tahiti
25 June 2020

This is a close knit community just now so when a new boat arrives it is NEWS. There have only been three special needs or extenuating circumstances arrivals in the last four months. They were required to anchor outside the Port for one additional week (plus their days of passage) and have multiple swab tests prior to arriving on the docks. Meanwhile they had to pay for emergency supplies and transport to and from their anchorage site. There is an Auzzie, American and ?? stuck at sea for six months. Just turned loose on Port Denarau and their first stop was the Rhum Bar and then Cantos Bar/Grill. Whats not to like?

There are about six restaurants and the Yacht Shop struggling to stay going over the last four months. The big guys like Hard Rock Cafe just cut their losses and shut down apparently. Four months ago the place was like Disneyland with resort guests in every square foot. Now completely empty except some night life with the cruisers still waiting for permits. When in port we have tried to stagger our support (also their cooking is way better than mine). Signs of re-stocking have begun since the Prime Minister announced super yachts can begin arriving via blue paths as part of the Fijian Bula Bubble.


27 June 2020
Free to Roam Fiji

Thank you for all the FaceBook messages of joy you shared when the Fijian Cruising Permit arrived. We were overwhelmed at those who follow our unusual journey. The staff in the Port
Denarau office were laughing when I almost cried with joy when presented with the permit.

Dolphins greeted us on our first full day of sailing and they always bring sheer delight. And for the first time in four months we caught fish (too small to keep). The Manta Ray population is usually in Fiji waters during June and July and this year their numbers are said to be very high due to the quiet last four months. We are headed North in the Yasawa Islands Group, stopping nightly at old spots we have enjoyed, trying to get to the manta ray areas now that we can travel. For me they are like a sacred animal that always knows it's course with a giant body and gentle spirit.

Sea Mercy has asked that we query villages as to their health and food status as the government has their hands busy on the main islands. Once you are in the outer islands it is expected to bring a gift of kava/yaqona to the chief and the sharing in the kava ceremony to be protected by the chief. This includes sharing bowls of kava which we are not prepared to do at this point- mostly for their safety. So I am not sure how well we will be received or how much information we can gather for Sea Mercy. As Ed said, one island at a time.

There is a feeling of trepidation getting out here again for me. For three months now we have been in a safe, comfy pattern going back and forth for supplies or boat work, mixing with the same locals and cruisers with daily clan yoga classes. Now each mile we sail has to checked and cross checked for reefs, rocks, set and safety. Our headsets are back in use for each new location to avoid anchoring over coral. I must discipline myself again to incorporate some type of swimming, TRX or yoga into each day. We both love living on the edge and using all our senses but it was exhausting these first two days to be on high alert again!

Thinking and praying for all of you who are also navigating strange times.