Cruising Northern Fiji
From ocean passage mode to cruising mode, we are off to explore Fiji's Northern Islands.
With Roam reconfigured from ocean passage mode to cruising mode, we are off to explore the waters around Fiji's Vanua Levu and Taveuni Islands. We didn't get much time on this side of Fiji last year. We'll fix that this year.
I flew to Nadi from Savusavu to meet Pam and the kids who flew in from the US. We spent one night in Port Denarau and caught Fiji Link's Twin Otter flight to Savusavu the next day.
The boat was still parked in the marina after the sail up from New Zealand. We spent a few days in the luxurious Nawi Island Marina getting ready. Fueling up, buying groceries, getting things organized.
Fiji had been dealing with one of their notorious "Bogi Walu" weather systems over the past few days. The seas were still rough outside of Savusavu Bay. The kids only have so much vacation time. We made the call to go and bashed upwind for the better part of a day in order to reach Viani Bay.
Dive Academy, Viani Bay
Marina runs the Dive Academy in Viani Bay. The kids completed their PADI Open Water certifications with her and her team. I got in a refresher dive. We all celebrated with a dive together on Fiji's famous Great White Wall on the Rainbow Reef. It's hard to imagine a better place to get certified. They will be spoiled for life when it comes to scuba diving.
The crew of Dive Academy hosted a Fijian BBQ on the resort's lawn. They often host visiting yachts along with their land guests. We were joined by several boats participating in the Oyster World Rally.
It was fun getting to know these crews. Their experience is much different than ours. The rally boats circumnavigate together in a year–a "cruising sampler." You don't get much time to soak up the places you love. What you do get is an amazing experience with like-minded sailors and great logistical support. The rally helps sell a lot of boats for Oyster. Especially the "carpe diem" market segment--people who want to sail around the world on their own boat but who aren't necessarily into the cruising lifestyle long term.
Paradise Taveuni Resort
With their scuba tickets in hand, we sailed down the Somosomo Straight to Taveuni Island and picked up a mooring at Paradise Taveuni Resort. The kids eventually flew out from Taveuni airport at the north end of the island. End of vacation. Back to work. I miss them. Grateful that they are willing to spend their precious vacation days hanging out with us.
The resort is wonderful. It caters to divers and visiting yachts (which not every island resort does). Every morning, a staff member kayaks out to each boat and delivers fresh cinnamon rolls. Allan, an Aussie who co-owns the resort likes having yachties as visitors. It enhances the vibe and the experience for his land-based guests.
Allan is a PADI dive instructor. We took advantage of the opportunity to refresh our Emergency First Responder certifications and for me to get my PADI Rescue Diver certification. Our sailing friend, Susan (Wiz), a veteran diver, agreed to serve as my "victim" for all of the in-water rescue scenarios. Which meant she spent the day getting dragged off the bottom and towed around the lagoon by me.
It's great to back. We're getting into our cursing groove again. From here we will continue further north and east, exploring the remote, less visited islands on this side of Fiji.
A Few Photos
The Paradise Taveuni Resort on Taveuni Island. One of the most hospitable resorts anywhere. Fresh cinnamon rolls brought to your boat every morning. A world-class dive resort as well.
Diving with the Paradise Taveuni crew on nearby Vanu Reef. Clockwise: Manasa is the consummate dive master. Manasa and Captain Leslie (my dive buddy) on Vanu Reef. Brain coral. My first night dive on the local "house reef" in front of the resort. You see different critters at night. Anemone fish (clown fish) in a Magnificent Anemone.
