Leaving Tonga in our wake

We had an enjoyable and very sociable time in Tonga meeting lots of other cruising folks and visiting their yachts and so in some ways it was sad to leave this community behind. We regularly came across some the boats that had sailed as a part of the rally from New Zealand; it was like meeting up with old friends although our paths had only crossed for a brief period. We met other yachts in Tonga, many people from all walks of life. There were “Puddle Jumpers” from the Americas who had made the long trip across the Pacific, Arc boats on an 18 month whirlwind circumnavigation of the globe but there were others who were spending the winter cruising the Pacific Islands like us. Who knows, are paths may cross again.

We left Tonga a little earlier than planned as there was a good weather opportunity which if we had lingered longer may have delayed our arrival into Fiji. We didn’t want to be late for a rendezvous with Jonathan and Sarah at the beginning of July. We cleared customs with little hassle got all the paper work sorted this time and left Neiafu that afternoon spending the night in Port Mourelle some friends Sue and John offered to cook us roast lamb that night which was a delicious send off from Tonga.

The sail to Fiji was easy with winds to the stern quarter from the southeast with a strength up to about 22 knots. The seas were gentle and the moon provided some night time light. It took 3 days and nights although on the final night we heaved too outside of Savu Savu Bay because customs take a dim view of any yacht arriving in the dark and dropping anchor. We picked up a mooring at 9am with the help of the Copra Shed Marina boat man Simon.

Customs were organized by the Copra Shed who ferried the various officials to Dreamweaver. It was the middle of the afternoon before we were able to leave the yacht and go and gain our first insight to Fiji. Savusavu is in a large bay with the township sheltering behind a small island. It is very picturesque with high sided hills hanging with vegetation, coconut palms, mangroves and mahogany trees, lianas drape through the higher tree canopy, distant rain forest clad mountains fill the horizon and it appears very tropical set against blue seas and sky. The town is along one street and it was obvious that the culture was very different to Tonga, more affluent even with the current political status.  There are some expensive houses on the hillsides and some more modest homes but on the whole a very different situation to Tonga. There was no evidence of wondering pigs and many less dogs looking ill cared for. The multi racial aspects of Fijian life were evident with most of the businesses being operated by Indian Fijians. Shops offered a greater range of goods and it was easier to re supply our stores.

Throughout our stay the weather was very hot and humidity was extreme. Unfortunately you are unable to swim from the yacht and so we sought respite at a local hotel pool on one occasion. We decided to leave Savusavu which is on Vanua Levu after 4 nights and head across Bligh Water to the island of Viti Levu. We had thought of heading east around to Viani Bay but more on why we didn’t shortly. We weaved our way through the complexity of reefs and made a safe crossing across a notoriously windy area of water. Our next destination is Vuda Point Marina in a few days time.