After a week in the marina, Kate left for the uk to catch up with family. I decided that this would be a good time to take the boat out of the water for antifouling, and raising the waterline, and while I was at it I decided to give the topsides a well needed coat of paint, so a haul out in Denerau was booked.

Living on the boat out of the water is never fun, and even more so when it is very hot, so the next 4 weeks were a bit of a struggle, but the end result was just what I was hoping for. In the middle of the month was Fiji’s celebration of 50 years of independence. This was celebrated with a regatta on the nearby island of Malolo, at the Musket Cove resort. I was invited to stay on our friends Ben and Amy’s boat, and had a lovely relaxing few days in a beautiful setting. Great food, lots of drink, and plenty of events for those that wanted to take part.

Finally Friday evening at around 5 I was back in the water with a huge sigh of relief. Anchored for the night just outside Denerau marina, and the next day sailed over to Musket Cove to relax, and get my sailing head back on! Back to Denerau to pay the bill, and stock up with fresh fruit and kava (this is what you use to pay the island chiefs when you anchor. They grind the roots to a powder, mix it with water, and it makes a drink which is alcoholic. Haven’t tried it yet, but it looks like mud).

Tomorrow off to start exploring the Yasawa Islands.