Hi
from Clare, 8-2019 The Waiting Game in Fiji 28th August 2019
WAITING
When
we last wrote we were restocking the boat to sail to Vanuatu, but at
the same time considering staying in Fiji and applying for an extension on our Visa. The
weather has been windy and at times the waves between Fiji and
Vanuatu have been as high as five metres. Not exactly fun, but we
now have a two month extension, we will wait
for the right weather window.
HOW
FORTUNATE
It
is very good to be in Musket Cove with access to the Yacht Club
facilities, the resorts, restaurants, swimming pools and long shady
walks. We are also enjoying the company of many cruising friends from the
30-50 boats anchored here.
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| Walks around the resort |
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| Our anchorage in Musket Cove |
A
WONDERFUL GIFT
Jennifer
on the power yacht ‘Starlet” was celebrating her sixtieth
birthday. Her husband Mark organised a wonderful party for her by
inviting about thirty cruisers to their unit for cocktails and then
on to the Sailors Bar for a fully catered BBQ. They didn’t know
thirty cruisers so they invited the ones they did know and said bring
some friends. We got an invite as a friend of a friend. Everyone
mixed well, Mark and Jennifer making us very welcome. Some of the
cruisers brought along their musical instruments and supplied the
dance music and a sing along including Happy Birthday. A great night
was had by all.
 |
| Birthday girls Jennifer and Mark |
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| The gang at Jennifer's Party |
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| Cruising Musicians |
AN
UNEXPECTED GIFT
The
following evening a few of the cruisers had another BBQ at the
Sailors Bar and Pele on ‘Loupan’ won a meat raffle. This
necessitated a further BBQ the next night, Pele supplied the meat
and we supplied the rest. The outdoor Sailors Bar is a terrific
facility with wind protection, tables and chairs, relaxing lounges,
electric BBQ and a sink with hot water for washing up. The bar is there
if needed, the BBQ is clean and well maintained and cost
$2 per use. It is certainly a firm favourite of the cruising
community, offering a very pleasant setting for an inexpensive get
together on land.
THE
BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE
Sometimes
we took Eye Candy out to nearby snorkelling spots and enjoyed
exploring the coral reefs. It is great to see such healthy coral and
many varieties of tropical fish. The fish are not at all timid which
I think shows that they haven’t been harassed by too many
snorkelers. We stay in the water enjoying the show for as long as
we can before turning wrinkly. Then we lie on the deck to warm up
under a brilliant blue sky listening to the waves softly lapping
against the boat. It is a very peaceful way to spend the day and it
is always a little sad when the time comes to lift the anchor and
return to civilisation.
 |
| Beautiful Healthy Coral |
AS
TIME GOES BY
It
was Andrew’s birthday and so we celebrated with lunch at Dick’s
Bistro and Bar at the Musket Cove Resort. We then spent a very
pleasant afternoon at the pool swimming and relaxing on the lounges in the sun. Maybe we are showing our age going out for lunch
instead of dinner. Yes perhaps we are, but by evening I am a bit
weary and Andrew likes to be on the boat to participate in the Radio
Nets. Musket Cove is a very popular spot and throughout our cruising
years we haven’t found any place more welcoming. Lifetime
membership to the Musket Cove Yacht Club costs $10 which gives access
to the island, the facilities and the resorts. Why wouldn’t you
join?
 |
| Happy Birthday Andrew |
CARD
SHARKS
We
spent a very enjoyable afternoon on Acapella learning a new card game
called “Oh Shit” It is a good social game to play as you can
talk and laugh and have a bit of fun. The winner is the person with
the lowest value of cards at the end of the game. Of course you can
be doing quite well with mostly low numbers and then you pick up a
high number that you may or may not get a chance to throw out.
That’s where the “Oh Shit” comes in. We had a fun time and I
was lucky enough to win the day, so no “Oh Shit” for me.
 |
| Jacob, Ellen, Martin, Andrew, Hanny "Oh Shit" |
So
we left Musket Cove and sailed the thirteen miles back to the main island of Fiji and settled into Saweni Bay just north of Vuda Point Marina
where we left the boat last summer. The protection is good from
all winds except northerlies. However there is a bay about a mile
way that is perfect protection from a northerly wind, so we have it
covered. The bus to Lautoka comes passed the bay each morning so we
have good access to the town for provisioning. I have spent a few
days in town buying some cotton dresses which are very comfortable in
the hot weather. I have bought a few other things but like all
shopping it takes time to find what you want. So I think I have had
enough retail therapy for the moment.
On
Sunday we walked the six kilometres into Vuda Marina. It had rained
the day before and so the dust on the dirt road was settled. A lot of
the distance is along the rail line that takes the sugar cane to the
factory for processing. The trains don’t run on Sundays so we
were quite safe. It was a pleasant walk on flat ground and we
rewarded ourselves with lunch at the marina restaurant. It was a
beautiful day and good to get some exercise.
AND
MORE FUN
There
are about a dozen boats here in Saweni Bay and late yesterday
afternoon we gathered for a pot luck dinner on the beach. We met a
lot of new people and quite a few who come up on our Radio Net. It is
always interesting meeting people we have been speaking to for some
time on the radio. Sometimes they look exactly as we imagine and other times absolutely nothing like we imagined. It’s just
another colourful thread in the rich tapestry of life!
 |
| Peaceful Saweni Bay Fiji |
SO
WHAT’S NEXT
Waiting,
waiting for the right weather, but this is a pretty good place to be
in the meantime.
Love
Candy xx
