Destination Denarau - before Chapter 5 in the Yasawas
Wednesday 12 October - We’re back in Denarau Marina and managed to get here just before dark to get berthed. The last night for Nick and family so it’s a pack up of all their big toys ie the foiling board, drone, flippers, snorkelling gear etc.
Thursday 13 October – we had a lovely farewell breakfast before the family left at 10.30am. In between that, I managed to snag the only 3 washing machines to get started on the sheets, towels and clothes, and then took over the 3 dryers. I can tell you I was not at all popular with the other marina guests who kept coming in to see if I’d finished. At one point it was hilarious listening to a French couple slagging me off and then watching their faces when I responded in English!!!! Three hours and a good lot of sweating (yes, that was sweating, not swearing, but have to say there was a bit of that too!) later, it was finally all done. Back to the boat to clean and tidy up before Jo and Earl arrived around 6.30pm.
We also took delivery of the solar panel and the battery Geoff bought for Miriyana’s house, which we will deliver when we sail up to her island. One of the guys in the Marina brought it down to the boat, it’s absolutely huge. He and Geoff tried to get it into the spare cabin but it was too long! In the end Geoff strapped it to the roof of the boat. The heavens opened in the afternoon, never seen so much rain! Fortunately it abated before Jo and Earl arrived, but we had the most tremendous lightning storm for a good part of the night. Great to see them both and we’re looking forward to having another leisurely sail around the islands with them.
Friday 14 October – Up early and it’s a sunny day, quite different from yesterday thank goodness. Jo, Earl and I were off back to the Fruit and Vegetable market, the produce is so fabulous there and everything seemed to cost only $2! Following that it was off to the supermarket to stock up on provisions for the next 12 days while Geoff was getting some maintenance done on the boat, and topping up on beer and wine. It’s quite a full on job as we need to get so many supplies since there are no shops on most of the islands where we’re going. All done, and that’s it, we can now relax! We had a lovely sunset cruise over to Vuda Marina and anchored in the bay for the night.
Saturday 15 October – Into Vuda Marina in the dinghy this morning and it is absolutely delightful, helped by the stunning weather. It’s all been renovated since last time Geoff was here and it’s so pretty, with a little General Store where we picked up some coffees to drink on the deck overlooking the boats. Jo and I spotted some floral tiaras on a table, so I enquired with the lady in the store if they were for sale, she took me over to a little hut where the lady who had made them was having her morning tea, I asked if I could buy all three and she was thrilled! We’ll wear them tonight when we have our cocktails.
En route back to the dinghy, Jo and I spotted the frangipani tree where she had gotten flowers for one of the tiaras, it is my favourite frangipani with the pink and yellow petals. There was a shower of newly dropped flowers all around the tree which Jo and I gathered up and made into a lovely flower arrangement for the dining table on the boat. It smells absolutely heavenly as I am sitting here writing this blog about 6 inches away from it! We’re off to the Yasawas now so are having a lovely sail in the sunshine. Geoff has caught another tuna en route so that’s dinner for them sorted!
Chapter 5 in the Yasawas
Sunday 16 October – we anchored outside Nanuya Island last night and were up early this morning, keen to get back over to Lo’s for her crispy donuts with the chocolate sauce!!!! Back on the walk over the top of the island to the other side, it was so hot today and hard work, so we were very happy to arrive and sit by the beach in a lovely breeze. She even gave us an extra donut each, so that was lunch sorted!
Once again we walked through the Sunrise homestay where they were preparing a fish curry for their guests, everyone thought it looked delicious, I was a bit circumspect about that big fish head with the googly eyes being put into the serving dish!!! We walked around the other side of the island and past all the wonderful garden nursery planted by the owner of the Nanuya Resort– lots of vegetables, chillis, herbs, beetroot, cassava, pineapples - all beautifully planted and maintained, some cleverly in big old truck tyres. We were absolutely exhausted with the heat and the walk and enjoyed a much needed drink at the bar before heading back to the boat for a swim and a late afternoon snooze!!!!
Monday 17 October – the others were up early for a swim and snorkel, but I stayed in bed enjoying drifting around with the sun’s rays coming through the hatch. Breakfast over, we headed over to Matacawa Island as Geoff had been there 10 years ago and met Toki, who had a huge fruit and vegetable garden, and had previously supplied the Nanuya Resort and all the yachts. His nephew, also named Toki, greeted us and walked us through their beautifully lush gardens and 4 homestays and directed us to the track up to Toki’s house. It was quite a walk and through a lot of foliage with a lot of creepers, but we finally made it to the top and he was pleased to see Geoff again. Sadly, he has a problem with his right eye and can no longer attend to his gardens. He is waiting to hear when the Fred Hollows Charity are back in Lautoka to have it attended to and then he will revive the gardens. It was lovely to see him and his wife, and beautiful 2 year old daughter called Small Mary.
We are now anchored outside Nacula Island and went in to see Suzanne at the kindergarten this afternoon but she was on the main island and we were told to come back at 4pm as she would be back (she wasn’t) and also the islanders would do a show for us. In we went, and what a lovely time we had. They were waiting for two other boats to come in, so we waited patiently whilst two catamarans came arrived and anchored with two sets of dive groups who had the show included in their programme. Lucky us, we chimed in as well, it was so much fun – a traditional kava ceremony followed by the ladies who came in and sang a song, swinging fragrant frangipani leis, which they then proceeded to put around our necks, and then continued with some wonderful singing and action songs, followed by getting us up to dance along with them, everyone was so happy, it was absolutely wonderful and a really fun night.
It’s 9pm as I’m typing this and about to hit the sack, but one of the local fisherman who earlier promised to get us some lobster, has just pulled in alongside us with the catch so that’s lunch or dinner tomorrow night organised!
Tuesday 18 October – we’re off, back to the top of the Yasawas. Chapter 6 to follow