October 19-25, 2015
Koro is the 6th largest island in Fiji, and it wasn’t even on our radar until we were looking at the weather when we were ready to depart Savusavu. Since Koro is pretty much due south of Savusavu and the wind was coming from the NE, Koro was the perfect destination to spend a few days until the tradewinds filled back in from the SE and then we could sail up to Taveuni. We stayed on a mooring ball at Dere Bay resort in the NW side of the island, and we ended up staying almost a week. There are 14 villages on the island and also a small expat community. There are two resorts in the bay, but I think between the two of them they had just one guest. So, the bar was never open, and the whole place was eerily quiet. Paddle boarding, hiking, and spearfishing were excellent.
Logbook – October 19, 2015 (Savusavu to Koro)
Passage Log Highlights
- 0644 engines on, depart Cousteau
- 0712 SB off. Main
- 0740 P off. Main + genoa.
- 1330 engines off – mooring at Koro
Daily Notes
- Nice day sail to Koro. No fish.
- Walk to village for sevusevu – nice walk on path about 30 min, but hot & humid.
- Chief’s wife served us Fanta orange
- T – dove for lobsters, only small ones
Logbook – October 20, 2015 (Koro)
Daily Notes
- T/B spearfish. No fish, almost lost dinghy
- Afternoon bocce on the sand spit
Email to Family and Friends dated October 20, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Koro Island
We had a great day sail yesterday to Koro Island, about a 6-hour sail from Savusavu in light winds on the beam. We are alone in the anchorage, so that’s a huge change for us. There are two resorts on shore, but they are at pretty light capacity at the moment. There are also several villages in the vicinity. We walked about 30 min partly along a trail and partly along a dirt road down to the nearest village yesterday afternoon for sevusevu. We’ve done so many of these now that we’ve started talking about what’s different, what’s unique about each one. As for yesterday, it was the first time the chief did the sevusevu wearing shorts (not a sulu) and it was also the first time the chief sat around chatting with us afterwards. We aren’t sure whether to be insulted or flattered, so we decided to be neither and had a nice time just hanging out for about an hour. This one was also the first time we were served cold drinks (Fanta orange, Brenden’s favorite), and on a hot day, it was like magic. We got some intel from another cruiser that there were lobsters on the reef here right near the anchorage, so of course Tim went diving last night (Brenden drove the dinghy for him), but unfortunately, he found only very small ones, so of course he left them alone. We’ll probably stay here just another night or two before heading back up to the Taveuni area. We mostly came here on the way because that’s where the weather pointed us. The watermaker is working great with the new membrane, so we have learned a couple of lessons the hard way: 1) You really need to be weary of chlorine when you fill your tank with dock water and use it to flush your watermker, 2) If you wait until the last minute to order something you will pay for it.
Love and miss you all,
-D.
Logbook – October 21, 2015 (Koro)
Daily Notes
- T – spearfish, coral trout
- Breeze here, surprise!
Logbook – October 22, 2015 (Koro)
Daily Notes
- D/T – walk up to the top of hill – nice views. Met a resident from B.C.
- Boys to Breeze to play games
- Drinks on Breeze
- T – sick
Email to Family and Friends dated October 22, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Bocce Ball, Surprises, and Hot Weather
We are still at Koro, staying longer than we’d thought because the wind isn’t shifting back to the SE as soon as was originally forecast, and we’d really prefer not to have to motor up to Taveuni. Koro is nice, though. We were on our own a couple days and took advantage of a little sandspit that dries at low tide to go out and play bocce ball. Yesterday, while I was standing at the galley chopping vegetables for a salad for lunch, I looked up and was shocked to see one of our buddy kid boats, Breeze, right off the stern! “No Way!” I shouted. We had said good-bye in the Yasawas, and they had no idea we were here. What a nice surprise.
Since the storm last week, the weather really has taken a turn towards summer. I have to do yoga very early in the morning, and the vegetables that I don’t keep in the fridge are going bad much faster. The eggs too. But it’s not “summer in Mexico” or “Marquesas” hot. Yet. We know that since we will be heading North, towards the equator, it’s going to be hot, and I’m not sure we’re quite ready for it. Well, except for Tim. He spends so much time in the water, he’s found Fiji to be too cold for his liking. I guess I’ll just have to spend more time in the water too.
Hope all is well with everyone. Love and miss you all,
-D.
Logbook – October 23, 2015 (Koro)
Daily Notes
- T/B/Per – spearfish. B’s first dogtooth!
- Tried to go to dinner on shore, met a family from Colorado
- Sashimi on Exodus
Logbook – October 24, 2015 (Koro)
Nothing in the logbook
Gresham Family Exodus 