Back from the Yasawa Group

Dear all,

 

We are back from the Yasawa Group of Islands. Another amazing group. We managed to visit a few little villages and present some Sevusevu to either the Chief to be or the mayor. The villagers are so happy and content with their lifestyle it was lovely to see.

The highlight has to of been swimming with Manta rays off the Manta Ray resort. It was so good we went back the following day for another go.

Swimming with Manta rays needs to be put on everyone’s bucket list!

 

The alarming thing about these islands is the inaccuracy of the charts and the chart plotter quite often we were shown to be high and dry on the chart plotter so a good look out was required!

 

We are now back in the marina to pack up Ocean Lady. She’s going to have a rest whilst Alan and Margaret fly home to visit family and Stu and Laura fly to New Zealand to visit friends. We’ll keep the blogs coming but they are likely to be about New Zealand and not our sailing voyage around the world (and not the UK) so apologies as this probably wasn’t what you signed up for!! Normal blogs will be resumed at the end of July.

 

Below are some photos from last week.

 

Hope everyone at home is well,

Lots of Love

Ocean Lady

 

Scotland line up against Fiji

 

Fire dancers at the First Landing Resort

 

And a photo with the performers afterwards.

 

The Yasawa Group

Dear all,

 

Happy fathers day to everyone!

 

We have now left Vuda Point Marina in Fiji and gone to the outer islands of the Yasawa group. Vuda point is a great marina complex with the first landing resort next door.

Laukota is a 30 mins taxi ride away where almost anything can be purchased. Welcome back to civilisation!!! Unfortunately the weather has has more resemblance of a monsoon season! But hopefully the low pressure system has moved away now and we will have settled weather for a bit.

The highlight of our stay in Vuda point has to of been going to the Scotland vs. Fiji international. A fantastic atmosphere and a great Scottish win. We did struggle with who to support, Scotland want independence but would have fewer fans, whereas Fiji love the UK and are very patriotic even having a public holiday for the Queens birthday.

Then in the evening after a lovely meal in a local resort we went to the bar and Wales were playing Australia. The bar was a mix of Aussie, Kiwis and one wee Welsh girl with plenty of fight (Laura) - Fantastic atmosphere!!!

 

After anchoring up off the picturesque island of Weyasewa this afternoon we went ashore, expecting to offer the chief of the island some sevusevu (Kava roots – used to make grog) – In return the Chief will welcome the visitors to his village offering his protection and all reasonable assistance . We met a young lady (Andi) and lots of village children (Jimmy, Norman and Lou-Lou) who welcomed us and showed us around the school and village. The schooling was really good for such a basic island. They were so welcoming it was great to see and witness.

 

We hope to visit a few more of the Islands before returning to the marina.

 

Hope everybody at home is well,

 

Lots of Love,

Ocean Lady

 

 

Arrival in Fiji

Dear all,

 

At last we have reached Fiji after a wet & windy sail. We arrived in the dark and the navigation lights on the shore were either not working or different to the chart. Given that the chart plotter has been out by over 0.2 of a mile in places it wasn't worth the chance so we had to hove too and we waited until sunrise this morning to enter through the reef pass. It was actually quite comfortable especially as the watch was accompanied with a chocolate cake Laura had made during the day.

On entering the reef pass it seems as though the Fijians have been upgrading there navigation lights and towers, but the charts have not followed suit – yet!!

 

As we motor up to the town of Lautoka checking in with port control and customs we establish that today is a public holiday. We seem to be pretty unlucky with an on going trend of arriving on public holidays.

1, Galapagos Islands, arrived during part of a 4 day public holiday,

2, Marquises' arrived in Nuku Hiva jut before Easter public holidays,

3, Aitutaki arrived for the Vaka voyaging society arriving and enjoying a public holiday

4, Tonga arrived in time for Emancipation day

5, Fiji Cannot clear customs because of a public holiday!

 

Oh well, I guess we could do with a rest! We will have to anchor and stay on the boat till tomorrow when we can clear customs, it will give us time to eat some more food before we get it confiscated.

Our midday position was 17 39.4S, 177 21.8E

 

We hope everyone at home is well,

Lots of love,

 

Ocean Lady

 

 

Nearly in Fiji

Dear all,

 

Ocean Lady is sailing nicely towards the Navula passage on the south west side of the Fijian Islands. The journey has been plagued with rain! We dry our waterproofs out just to get them wet again on the next watch!

Our midday position was 18 47S, 177 27E Notice that we have now crossed the 180th parallel

 

Hope everybody is well,

Love Ocean Lady

Lots of rain....

 

Dear all,

 

Last night we were greeted with yet more rain, it started around midnight and stopped this morning around 10 o'clock. Other than that the wind is pleasant and progress is good.

Our midday position was 19 37S, 178 56W – Almost half way around the world!

 

Love,

Ocean Lady

 

At sea again!

Dear all,

 

We are well on our way to Fiji now in position 19 03S, 176 50W, 150 miles into the journey. We are experiencing good weather so are sailing with twin headsails and using the engine to assist when the batteries need charging. Before leaving we plotted no less than 60 uncharted reefs to avoid for this leg of the journey!

 

Hope everybody is well,

Love Ocean Lady

 

Hello from the Kingdom of Tonga

Dear all,

We have had a great week in Tonga, the people are very friendly and welcoming. We have caught up with friends doing the World ARC and had a nice week relaxing after a rough crossing from Niue. We have managed to catch up on a load of maintenance and get out and about.  A highlight has to of been the BBQ and cave swim on the Catamaran Seazen. Swallows cave was amazing, stalactites, bats, clouds of fish beneath in crystal clear water. There is another cave (marinas cave that we couldn’t find) probably a good job given the swell on the day.

Swallows cave from the inside

Stu and Laura took part in a Clear up Vava’u litter pick with the local Vava’u environmental protection agency along with Jeff from Sea Falke and Jamie and Lucy from Bamboozle. We also experienced another Sunday church service with the Tongans all dressed up in their traditional attire.

 

Today we have been to a botanical garden owned by lucy and Haniteli, a great day out. Haniteli started growing the botanical garden back in 1954 when he was given the land by the government. With his passion for agriculture and plants he opened the gardens when he retired in 2002.

We are hoping to get fuel and vegetables tomorrow and clear customs for Fiji, a five day crossing.

 

We hope everybody at home is well and have all enjoyed the Jubilee celebrations.

 

Lots of Love,

Ocean Lady