Our Final Week in Fiji

Another week in paradise has slipped by, but we have had some fun and been reasonably active. Let’s face it with Leanne and Gwyn on board it was never going to be a lazy week.

As Leanne and Gwyn re-familiarised themselves with the boat, we left Vuda Marina last Thursday (18^th) and headed north to Waya island at the south end of the Yasewa group. Winds were light and so we motored all the way and in fact have ended up motoring all week, due either to light winds or winds from dead ahead.

Leanne and Gwyn our new crew for the next few weeks

Our initial anchorage in Yalobi Bay turned out to be very rolly and so after an uncomfortable night at anchor we decided to head around to the west side of the island and anchor off the Octopus resort. This was still rolly but at least we had the resort at hand.

Some poor people didn't have a luxury yacht to sail to Octopus Resort

Landing the dinghy on the beach proved to be a bit of an ordeal, with lots of coral and only a narrow channel, which had quite a strong surge going through it. After a couple of attempts the resort staff on the beach signalled for us to leave the dinghy on one of the moorings and they came and collected us and landed us ashore. That was all great until later in the afternoon, we saw our dinghy gradually heading for the reef. Pat had not tied it onto the mooring very well! So, it was resort staff to the rescue again, with a guy in a kayak going and retrieving the dinghy and tying it up properly.  Thank you Octopus!!!

Refreshments at Octopus Resort

We had a good snorkel and a few drinks at the resort but after the ordeal of trying to land the dinghy on the beach we decided to resist the temptation of  having dinner at the resort as that would have involved landing and launching in the dark. 

The next day, we arranged to be picked up at 0800 by a local boat and taken out to Manta Ray reef, about 7 nm to the north. This is a well known cleaning station frequented by Manta rays but sadly we didn’t see them. The trip was still well worth it as the local boat ride is always fun and the coral in the area just off the Barefoot Resort was stunning.

Departing for Manta Ray snorkelling on a local boat

Prepare to snorkel

Wonderful coral

Parrot fish

Such clear water

A strong southerly wind was forecast for the weekend and so, once back on board X-Pat after our snorkel trip, we headed off north again and around the headland to anchor on the north side of Waya Island in Nalauwaki Bay. Whilst we were the only boat there when we anchored this proved to be a good anchorage. As the weekend progressed more and more boats arrived including the dive boats from the Octopus resort who were also seeking shelter.

Our anchorage in Nalauwaki Bay

We headed into the village of Nalauwaki to offer our Sevusevu to the chief in the afternoon. Again the beach landing in the dinghy was a challenge but some local kids came out and enthusiastically guided us in over the reef. The chief was away in Suva, but his deputy performed the Sevusevu ceremony with us and then we had a nice chat with the villagers. We asked whether it would be possible to walk back over the headland to the Octopus resort and they got three of the kids, lead by the eldest, Jacob, to show us the way.

Sevusevu Ceromony

The village drum. Pat was tempted but wasn't quite sure what he would signal

Supplies arriving at Nalauwaki Village

With our new found knowledge, we arranged with the resort to have dinner there and that evening trekked across for a nice relaxed evening with no cooking and no washing up required. The trek involved quite a steep climb through the forest, with the trail inhabited by numerous pigs. Unfortunately, it then decided to rain heavily so our walk back was not only in the dark but the pouring rain. At least the rain was warm and the dinghy launch back to X-Pat all went smoothly.

Jacob and his mates guided us up the path to the resort

The start of our guided walk

On Sunday we were confined to the boat due to high winds. Pat attempted to repair the dinghy floor yet again, Gwyn and Pat got the watermaker going and Leanne made a beautiful rope mat for our table. Monday was also pretty windy but we got out the ‘hookah’ dive gear and had some fun taking turns in cleaning the bottom of the boat for a few hours. After four attempts, the leak in the dinghy floor seems to have been resolved. I blame the glue for the failure of previous attempts.

Gwyn gets into bottom cleaning mode

Tuesday brought improved weather and so we headed south to the uninhabited island of Navadra. This was a fantastic find. The snorkelling here was lovely with a white tipped reef shark and a couple of turtles being spotted. The beaches were fantastic and we even got the kayak out for a few trips around the bay.

Team Snorkelling at Navadra Island

Navadra Island

The beach from above

Our anchorage at Navadra Island

Leanne and Gwyn take to the kayak

Today (Thursday) we are heading back to Vuda Marina for a bit of luxury. We will have dinner ashore, do the laundry, top up the fuel, get rid of the rubbish and all have showers (hooray!). We have arranged for customs and immigration to meet us tomorrow to check out of Fiji and head off for Vanuatu on the next phase of our adventure.