An explanation…
While staying with Claire and Jonathan we hatched a plan to sail from New Zealand to Fiji next year. How hard can it be? We have already sailed all the way from Whangarei to Great Barrier Island!!
It turns out that it will be a little bit harder than that. As a New Zealand registered vessel, before we can leave the country, the boat will need to be inspected to ensure that it has all the required safety equipment on board and, slightly more problematic, the crew need to demonstrate a certain level of proficiency.
The main stumbling block for us was the stipulation that at least one person had to have open ocean experience. Apparently Whangarei to Great Barrier doesn’t cut it.
So we put our names on a crew finder list where boats seeking crew members to help out on ocean crossings can find suitable people. There is obviously a shortage as we were offered a place fairly quickly and are now on a beautiful 50’ Knysna catamaran , called My Happiness, anchored just off Musket Cove, Malolo Lailai Islands, Fiji.
The Fiji cruising life
Our fabulous hosts are Kevin and Greer. Originally from South Africa and now based near Katikati in New Zealand. They are vastly more experienced than us so we know we are going to learn a great deal on this trip.
As well as gaining sailing experience we are picking up valuable knowledge for living in Fiji.
Our taxi ride from the airport to Denerau Marina cost us F$45. The return trip with Kevin and Greer to stock up at the local market cost $1.60 on the local bus.
Lots of fabulous fresh fruit at the market and a new experience heading home with the bus loaded well past capacity with local school children. The flags and bunting at the market were in celebration of Fiji Independence Day.
There are another two crew members yet to join us. While we wait we are sampling the lifestyle to make sure we really want to come back next year.
Sunsets, outdoor dining, island exploring, snorkelling, kayaking, paddle boarding (first attempt) and lots of lounging around avoiding the heat and the sun. I think we can manage.
Obviously there are boat jobs to do: Cleaning the hull is a great job when you need to cool down, polishing stainless is perfect way to avoid grottier cleaning tasks, cooking, bread making and generally fixing stuff up occupies hours each day. Kevin and Greer made a final rigging check, the jack lines were installed and a full safety briefing was conducted once the whole crew was aboard.
We experience a different anchorage each night so are making a note of the best bars to return to next year.
This was Mana Island. A tricky coral reef to negotiate on the way in but we were rewarded with a lovely coral sand beach to stroll along and the obligatory tropical sunset.
The next day we returned to an earlier anchorage close to Musket Cove. This gave us a more sheltered anchorage but more importantly allowed us to make a 6:45am dinghy ride to get to the Musket Cove Resort TV room in time to watch the nail biting All Blacks vs Ireland rugby World Cup quarter final.
On Sunday our remaining crew members came aboard in Port Denarau. Alain and Sylvie are a French couple now living in Tauranga. They had just spent the last week living with locals on the northern most island in the Yasawas group. It sounded like a fascinating experience.
The first test for crew relations came on Monday morning when we had yet another early start to watch the Springbok/Les Bleus quarterfinal. Kevin and Greer obviously supported South Africa. Alain and Sylvie were lone voices in the crowd shouting for France. Nigel, in his usual diplomatic fashion, pointed out that, as we came from England, we always wanted to see the French get beaten no matter who they were playing!
With France in front Alain was wondering if he needed to go looking for a plane ticket home. Fortunately, South Africa came back and our French crew mates were welcomed back on board.
During the game Nigel noticed a ‘Happy Birthday’ message appear on Sue’s phone. He hadn’t just forgotten her birthday he actually had no idea what the date was.
We are hoping to leave tomorrow (Tuesday 17 October) so after the rugby (and breakfast) we took the bus into town to stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables. That is everyone except Nigel who bravely volunteered to pack away the inflatable kayak and paddle board and do a general clear up in preparation for the voyage. Anything to avoid the shopping.
Into the wide blue yonder
If all goes well we will be leaving today. The plan is for our last unlimited water shower at the marina at 8am before our appointment with customs at 9am.
You can follow us at https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-MyHappiness/
You should see our daily our daily progress and hopefully some photos and commentary.
Customs and immigration took a while. We have just left at 10:30 …..
Weather is lovely, wish you were here 