8 October 2020
One Year in Fiji Anniversary
50th Fiji Days Celebration-Savusavu


A much easier sail thru the tricky pass and across Koro Bay to Savusavu for Tabu Soro. We still had to beat into the 15-18 knots but the seas were kinder as we started at 6 am before the wind chop could build. Sunrise is about 5:30 now so we could see the reefs fairly well and had our prior route to follow as well.

First order of business was to check in with Immigrations but no visa approved yet. We stocked up on food and fuel then decided to stay for Fiji Independence Day and spend some time with "NOK" Hankst and Annika we had not seen since before Covid locked Annika back home in Netherlands. She since took a flight to Tahiti and then crewed with complete strangers non-stop to get back to Hank and NOK in Vuda Marina, Fiji.

The Fiji Day celebrations were centered in the park which was decorated with the Fiji blue and white everywhere. We walked over mid morning and it was mainly volleyball or net ball, as they call it.
Food booths were by family group or specialty as many family members are out of work with the resorts closed. Mats and blankets surround the play fields as family members wear their family fabric Bula shirts and dresses. The Planters Club had invited us over for their celebration and music and a BBQ lunch. The children's even was hilarious with tug-a-war, hula hoop contests, ballon at legs with spoon in mouth with marble to balance, sack races; all things we did as children. By the end of the afternoon we felt right at home as atmosphere is very similar to Richmond Yacht Club, minus the incredibly long snooker table.

Next day was back to overcast and windy but John was antsy as the wind was out of the North which is fairly rare and we would have a downwind run to Koro Island. We checked out of Copra Shed Marina and made a very quick six hour run in 18-25 knots.