Fiji
07 July 2014 | Port Denarau, Viti Levu
Tigs
From Tonga, the leg to Fiji. Landfall in Savusavu after a few days of confused seas. A seven hour chicken bus coastal bus ride to Labasa where we stayed overnight in their best hotel, which had a pool and a degree of comfort. The next day the bus journey was through the mountainous interior of the island and back to the harbour. After a few days we buddy boated with Laurie and Russ aboard Nexus to the South Eastern part of Vanua Levu where we had a sociable time with those in the anchorage at Jack Taylor's home. The following day we dived with Dolphin Bay Diving School from Viani Bay to the white wall. The dive was interesting with a series of underwater tunnels. We joined Nexus to the garden island of Taveuni the next day for an island tour to the waterfalls and had a breakdown enroute in the minibus which added to the experience. The island of Kioa next which has an interesting history. Onto Suva to explore the capital of the mainland Viti Levu for a few days. The usual first world fast food chains are to be found here alongside a blend of Indian and Polynesian cuisine. A day sail from Suva to Yasuni island where we walked on the beach and snorkelled. The deadline to be in Port Denarau for a haulout. Once completed, we took off for a five day motorcycle trip around the island of Viti Levu with a homestay on the North Eastern village of Nokunoku where the children had never seen white faces, a night in an Eco lodge and a night of sleeping in a forest. The interior area is very mountainous and wooded. From the South coast we followed the river through the area known as the Salad Bowl where the fruit and vegetables are grown.
Safely back in Port Denaroa we sailed to Musket Cove on the island of Malolo for the send off parties. The fleet started to fill the marina and anchorage and a couple of parties celebrated good times with good friends. On the morning of 4 July, Thanksgiving Day, I took the Malolo Cat back to Port Denaroa at 9am as the fleet was departing for Tanna, Vanuatu. For myself I'm renting a house until the tall ship Alvei arrives from which I'm doing voluntary work in the Yasawa Islands.