Footnotes from Water Music

Position: 16 45 03S 179 54 07E


Arrival in Fiji
After a fairly bumpy crossing with a confused sea and 25 - 30 knots of wind behind us most of the way. Stephen had carefully planned our crossing in order that we would reach the entrance to the Nanuka passage in
daylight and then sail through the night and time our arrival in Savusavu just around day break. As we approached Savusavu a loud cry came up on Channel 16 'Good Morning Savusavu! This is the cruisers net retune your
radio to channel 68!' Which we did and this was a very informative net run by Curly Carslake who turns out to be a huge character not in the first flush of youth with a long white beard and a gammy leg! So on a run into
the harbour we were given a full weather forecast, information of the whereabouts of the pumice island, where to get things, mended, and bars and restaurants in the town!
At 8.30am Fiji time which is confusingly an hour earlier than Tongan time we tied up at the Copra Shed marina - not so much of a marina in the Lymington/Hamble sense but more of a couple of rather ramshackle pontoons
but with great bars and services and very friendly staff. Stephen was not even allowed off the boat to assist with securing our lines until we had been cleared by the environment, health, customs and immigration! Our
friends on Hullabaloo had arrived the previous afternoon and another Oyster 56 Into the Blue arrived that afternoon so we all celebrated with a great dinner ashore - Fiji has a big Indian population and the curries are
superb!
The next day we had a full briefing on the area by Curly and as a result have now completely changed our itinerary! Instead of travelling of travelling to the main island of Viti Levu we are going to spend more time
exploring the islands round here and hopefully also the closer of the Lau group in order to experience the real Fiji rather than the more touristy resort areas. This has meant a big shop in the market preparing ourselves for
visiting the islands where we will need to request permission to visit by presenting yagona roots (which make Kava an apparently intoxicating drink) and other gifts and taking in part in the Sevusevu ceremony.

We have just left Savusavu with its wonderful markets, had a drive around the island in a hire car again Stephen decided against the 4 wheel drive option which was a mistake as the passengers ended up having to push it
up the hills of the dirt roads �.... Stunningly beautiful island!