Fabulous Fiji

Anyone following this blog who knows that we are already in Australia  and have long departed from Fiji shores must please forgive me for the time warp from which this blog emerges.

In fact talking of time warps...Alan and I often imagine the nightmare scenario of being caught in one mid ocean and being catapulted back onto Legend 1.

Legend IV forging through big seas  avoiding being sucked into a time warp. Not difficult to imagine when the wind and waves get mean.

We shudder to even contemplate having to cross an ocean in the tiny little craft that braved the elements back in ' 87 manned by 2 tough and intrepid sailors (Alan was tough and intrepid, I was just foolish)...a very different team  from the spoilt and soft 50 somethings on Legend IV. (Al insists he is still tough though, I am the soft, spoilt  one!)

Hardened Mariners  Fiji 1988.

We came face to face with this contrast in Fiji when a version of the Van der Stadt 34 we sailed on the first circumnavigation pulled in alongside Legend IV in the marina in Port Denerau.

Legend IV alongside a  version of Legend I....

Ancient mariner with the  Polynesain Boar's tooth presented in honour of his  50 something birthday.

Fiji was particularly busy and exciting and has been one of our favourite island groups thus far.  To begin with Oyster arranged for Fiji Customs and Immigration officals to be flown in to a far flung group of islands in the east of Fiji where yachtsment sledom venture. It was a real coup for Team Oyster Debbie, Eddie and Jacqui who continue to be our fantastic support trio on the rally.

Ryan, Tough and Intrepid sailor circa 2013 hoisting the Fiji Courtesy flag on arrival in the Lau Group.

The Lau group was absolutely incredible. The islands were unspoilt and magical and the locals welcomed us with a feast of roast pork and traditional  dancing and a Kava ceremony.

Unimpressed with Kava root that needs to be presented to be presented to village chief. Would have preferred a beer!

A dinghy tour through the Unexplored Islands. of the Lau group.

Kava is the mind numbing grog that needs to be presented to and shared with the cheif of a Fiji village whose island you would like to explore.  Its the equivalent of presenting a six pack of beer in exchange for the privilege of camping on someone's lawn.

In the past the young women of the village would chew the root and spit it into a bowl for consumption by the visitors. Luckily the chewing a spitting no longer occurs...or so we are told!

The ceremony is very male dominated with women, in spite doing all the masticating, are only offered the Kava last after all the men have supped!

Dominant males... in skirts.. bracing for the Kava ceremony

All dressed and ready for the  Kava ceremony...leis and hat are optional extras.

From the Lau Group we headed West for Savu Savu where Ryan left to get back to Cape Town and  we were joined by our friends Mark and Caryl Cockburn and 2 of their sons, Jo and Chris.

The Cockburn family proved to be fishermen of the very first order! Their enthusiasm was fuelled by marvellous catches.  in addtion, they were perfect guests and cleaned and cooked  the piscatorial produce with just as much enthusiasm as the catching entailed. 

Jo with a 16kg Giant Trevally...the freezer is still full!

Sushi and Sashimi, fried/curried/battered/smoked fish were on the menu several and each meal was more innovative and delicious than the last.

Chefs at work..

Nicoles friend Annie joined the boat in Pt Denarau and they spent many hours around the pool at the Hilton interspersed with bouts of jet skiing, paragliding, tubing and looking glam.

..and perhaps not so glam..