Namena is a small island in the middle of a marine reserve. The boys were disappointed not to be able to spearfish, but the diving/snorkeling didn’t disappoint.
Logbook – September 20, 2015 (Coconut Point to Namena)
Passage Log Highlights
0754 engines on
0820 SB engine off
1250 SB engine on
1345 engines off
Daily Notes
True Blue V at Namena!
D – paddle to island, kids try to shoot birds with water gun
Drinks on Exodus w/ TBV & Fluenta
Coconut Point to NamenaThe island of NamenaHey, look at that, anchored next to an Island Packet……True Blue V! So good to see Craig and Leann again.
Logbook – September 21, 2015 (Namena)
Daily Notes
T/B – hookah @ The Chimneys
D – paddle around to beach on other side. Beautiful calm morning
D – snorkel w/ Fluenta
Potluck on Exodus
There is a huge bird population at namena. These are adolescent boobies in their nests.Huge puffer!Looks like Benjamin has commandeered Alex’s iPad.
Email to Family and Friends dated September 21, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Namena
We motored down to Namena island yesterday, which is a small island in the middle of a marine reserve, so the snorkeling and diving should be pretty good, but no spear fishing 😦 I really did not want to come. More than ever before I am ready to be somewhere with provisions and restaurants and I had my heart set on heading to Savusavu. However, I’m much less grumpy about the decision to come to Namena first, because True Blue V is here! And some other friends we haven’t seen since last season will be arriving tomorrow from Savusavu. So, yeah, it’s hard to be grumpy. There is no wind to speak of at the moment and it’s hot and humid as hell, so I will need to get in the water soon before I overheat! Love and miss you all, -D.
Logbook – September 22, 2015 (Namena)
Daily Notes
T/A/B – Hookah @ Grand Central N, Save-A-Tack (East Reef Namena). Awesome, dogtooth, walu fish, sharks, coral
Email to Family and Friends dated September 22, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Beautiful beaches and red footed boobies
Namena has been pretty great. No more grouchiness. The weather yesterday was perfect, even if a bit too hot, and Tim and Brenden broke out the huka to do a dive out on the reef. From these two you don’t hear about how pretty and healthy the coral was or how many fish there were, no you only hear about all the big fish that would swim right up to them, taunting them because they couldn’t spearfish. Myself, I enjoyed the crystal-clear water by taking the paddle board around the island and exploring an amazing white sand beach on the other side. One of the unique things about this island is the abundant bird life. The boobies (red footed) and frigates are so numerous, it reminds us a bit of Isla Isabel in Mexico. We were pondering what makes this island have so many birds when we haven’t seen that anywhere else in Fiji, and we think probably because there’s no fishing allowed so they have abundant food close by, and also because there’s no predators, no humans to take their eggs. Anyway, we wrapped up the day with a potluck on Exodus and then a sleepover on Exodus with the Fluenta kids. The kids had been bugging me to do one and I kept saying no because it was supposed to rain so they couldn’t sleep on the net, and then of course it didn’t rain. So, I relented, and then it rained last night. Oh well, they seem to have all stayed cozy in the cockpit. Love and miss you all, -D.
The stops we made at Bua Bay and Coconut point were pretty uneventful, in fact we didn’t even get off the boat, well except to hang out with Fluenta. Thank God! They were still with us, or we all might have gone out of our mind from boredom.
Bua Bay is a huge mangrove lined bay on the east side of Vanua Levu. While we were there an earthquake happened (I don’t remember where exactly) and the Tusnami warning emails started flooding in. The forecast was that we might see a few tenths of a meter of tidal variation (which is nothing to be concerned about), so we did the logical thing. We had a “Tsunami Party.” We hung out on Exodus eating and drinking and talking, so it really wasn’t any different than our usual nightly cruiser get- togethers, but at least this one had a cool name.
At Coconut Point there is a ferry terminal for traffic between the two big islands in Fiji: Vanua Levu and Viti Levu. There was a small town there also, but we never did go ashore and explore, even though we talked about it several times. The kids stayed entertained one day by stringing lines in the water between Exodus and Fluenta and swimming back and forth. No, it was not a double halyard rope swing or anything, but they had quite a bit of fun with it.
Logbook – September 15, 2015 (Yadua to Bua Bay)
Passage Log Highlights
1028 engines on
1401 engines off Bua Bay
Daily Notes
Speedo didn’t work most of the way
Caught & released a walu
2 new kid boats – Seabatical & Tinker Bell
Kids Minecraft on Exodus, Drinks on Fluenta
Yadua to Bua Bay (Vanua Levu)Bua BayBua Bay anchor location #1
Logbook – September 16, 2015 (Bua Bay)
Daily Notes
Moved anchor over near a beach. A/B raised anchor w/o assistance in strong winds.
Boys to beach w/ Fluenta after school, then Minecraft on Exodus
T – worked on watermaker
Bua Bay anchor location #2
Logbook – September 17, 2015 (Bua Bay)
Daily Notes
T – finished net install & made cedar plugs
Fluenta over for tsunami party
Logbook – September 18, 2015 (Bua Bay to Coconut Point)
Passage Log Highlights
1120 engines on
1426 P engine off while anchoring, fishing line wrapped a prop
After leaving the Yasawas we headed east to the island of Yadua. We stayed the first few days on the west side in a nice big, protected anchorage but then went around to the east side to be closer to the village. The people here were very welcoming, and we are so glad we made the stop at this island.
Excellent fishing day! 2 x yellow fin tuna! Released – skipjack tuna, barracuda, sierra
Very close call with a bombie in the anchorage
Boys to Fluenta for Minecraft
From Blue Lagoon to YaduaAccording to our chart we are on the reef as we departed the YasawasYellowfin Tuna!!!The Island of YaduaAnchored in the North lobe of Cucuvou Harbor
Email to Family and Friends dated September 7, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Yasawas to Yadua
We had a nice time hopping north up the Yasawas, but last night when we pulled into Cucuvou Bay on the island of Yadua we had that cruisers bliss feeling that we were missing in the resort laden, high traffic area of Yasawas. There’s only one village on the entire island and it’s on the other side from where we are now. So, the bay we entered is completely missing any evidence of human activity and it’s absolutely gorgeous and peaceful. Tim and I sat in the cockpit having safe arrival drinks and felt like we needed to whisper it was so quiet. We have had to say a couple more sad good-byes, and at the moment our kidboat convoy is down to two — just us and Fluenta. So, even though we are in this much more remote location, we still have friends around us. Our passage yesterday was a nice one as long as you ingnore the fact that we had to motor the whole way. Winds were light, but we picked that window intentionally since we were heading east (against the predominant wind direction) because motoring into light winds is much better than motoring into strong winds! Fishing was great — the boys caught two yellow fin tuna (our first in Fiji) and they also caught and released a skipjack tuna, a barracuda, and an unidentified. Yadua seems like the kind of place we can stay awhile, but after this we’ll head back to Savusavu to prep for our voyage north for cyclone season. Love and miss you all, -D.
We moved down to the South lobe of Cucuvou HarborOn shore at Cucuvou HarborNice day for a (muddy) hike (in the rain). We had to hike for about 3 hours across the island from our anchorage to the village in order to present sevusevu.A view of Exodus and Fluenta at anchorPhoto by Fluenta – http://sv-fluenta.blogspot.com/Double head lock, no, wait…TRIPLE head lock!puppy pileViews of the villageThis is the first village we’ve been to with sidewalks. I guess it rains a lot here.Instead of hiking the three hours back to the anchorage, the chief’s son gave us a ride back in his boat!Photo by Fluenta – http://sv-fluenta.blogspot.com/
Notice Tim’s HALF a dogtooth tuna. A shark took the other half.Fresh baked breadTim has everyone’s attention showing his Three Kings spear fishing video
Email to Family and Friends dated September 10, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Drizzly hikes and blustery conditions
We have been 3 days in Yadua now, and so far, we are really enjoying it, even if the weather seems to want to keep us down. Our first day here we hiked 3 hours in the mud and drizzle to the village on the other side of the island. Other than the dampness, the hike was an enjoyable one, mostly along a ridge with views of the different bays around the island. The people of the village were pleasant and as usual they appreciated our effort to come and present sevusevu, and we ended up getting a ride back to our anchorage in one of their small fiberglass fishing boats (aka panga in Mexico). The primary source of income for this village is selling sea cucumbers for sale in Asian markets. They did that as well in Matuku, and there they told us they had a Korean buyer. Not sure who the specific buyer is here, but they dive every day, and while we were in the village they were filling all their dive tanks. It is unclear what the sustainability of this operation might be. Tim told me that in Matuku they said they keep having to dive deeper and deeper to find the sea cucumbers, so that seems to indicate that it may not be a long-term endeavor. Today, Tim is going to go out with them, so he’s up early having his coffee and breakfast. I made biscuits and popcorn for him to take to share with the guys. The people of this village seem to love popcorn. Anyway, since that drizzly day of hiking we’ve had clear, sunny skies, but 20+ knots of wind howling. We are in a nice, protected bay but the wind makes it quite a workout when I paddle to shore to enjoy the beach. This morning is a calm morning, though, and we are enjoying the peacefulness of it. Love and miss you all, -D.
Logbook – September 11, 2015 (Yadua – Cucuvou to Motubua Islet)
T/B/Max/V/J – take Max’s walu + tuna/walu fish heads to the village
Brenden shot a BIG walu, and Max shot a HUGE one (Photo by Fluenta – http://sv-fluenta.blogspot.com/)Brenden and his walu……and of course he cleaned it himselfFrom Cucuvou Harbor to the other side of the island, closer to the villageManning the helm while moving to the other side of the islandExodus at anchor off of Motobua Islet; the village is to the north on the bay with the beachMotobua Islet anchorageWe decided to share Brenden’s Walu between Exodus and Fluenta and give Max’s HUGE one to the village. (Photo by Fluenta – http://sv-fluenta.blogspot.com/)Photo by Fluenta – http://sv-fluenta.blogspot.com/
Email to Family and Friends dated September 11, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Half a dogtooth
Well, the guys from the village never showed up yesterday to take Tim diving for sea cucumbers. But the upside is that the boys enjoyed snacking on the biscuits and popcorn all day. No, the REAL upside is that Tim and Max (Fluenta) went spearfishing and came back and filled both our freezers. I was just getting out of the shower when I hear them pull up in the dinghy yelling, “anybody home?” After hearing that a couple more times, I thought I should see what’s up, so I poked my head out and asked if he needed anything. His response was priceless… “just a photographer.” Clearly there was something to see so I dressed quickly, and wow, was it a sight. The biggest dogtooth tuna that I’d ever seen BY FAR, but the thing was, it was only half a tuna. Because a shark took the other half. And just the half a tuna weighed 35 lbs! And of course, they also came back with a couple good sized walus as well. I told Tim we may need a fishing ban now, and he gave me the stink eye. We have saved the heads from all these fish to give to the village, and as you might imagine the tuna head is enormous, but somehow Fluenta’s magic freezer was able to accommodate it. We think we’ll move around to the other side of the island today or tomorrow so we can go to the village for church on Sunday, so we’ll have to keep the fish heads in our freezers until then. Love and miss you all, -D.
Logbook – September 12, 2015 (Yadua – Motubua Islet)
Daily Notes
Test lesson day
Family shore excursion with Liz/V/J – mangrove forest, mud flat. Kids swim back.
Drinks on Exodus – B breaks the Lego helicopter
We tease about “over”
Shore excursionThe kids decided to swim back
Logbook – September 13, 2015 (Yadua – Motubua Islet)
We went ashore for church, and parked the dinghies high and dry in anticipation of the tide coming inLunch after church — the kids’ tableThe adults’ tableFijian custom is that the men and children eat first, and then the women eat. I was a little put off by this, but Liz put a positive spin on it: this way the women get to eat in peace! (Photo by Fluenta – http://sv-fluenta.blogspot.com/)Helping with the dishes (Photo by Fluenta – http://sv-fluenta.blogspot.com/)We had lots of help lauching the dinghy
Logbook – September 14, 2015 (Yadua – Motubua Islet)
Daily Notes
T/Max – spearfish east reef, no fish
Kids swim to beach then games on Exodus
Email to Family and Friends dated September 14, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Church for Father’s Day
It turns out that yesterday was Father’s Day in Fiji, and so it was a special kind of church service. Instead of the pastor giving a single sermon, several dads of the village got up and read scripture and did a little of their own preaching. It was all in Fijian so we couldn’t understand a word, but it was interesting to observe the different styles of the men who were speaking. Some were quiet and reserved and some were real fire and brimstone. However, this format produced the longest church service ever! Well over 2 hours. The kids did great, and so did the adults. As usual, what really made it bearable was the singing. It’s also in Fijian, but so beautiful you feel like you can understand it anyway. After church we were invited for a big family lunch with the entire chief’s clan, something like 50-60 people including many, many kids. It was an enjoyable afternoon, and I must say that this is the nicest, most welcoming village that we’ve been to since the Lau group. We’d love to stay longer, but we are in need of internet, because we are having issues with our watermaker. It’s been giving us issues since Fulaga (a couple months ago) but it’s getting worse now, and if we need to order parts before we leave Fiji we need to get a move on that. Basically, the salinity takes a really long time to come down to acceptable levels, and it keeps taking longer and longer. We’ve suspected the membrane all along for various reasons, but Tim has been in contact with Spectra, who makes the watermaker, and he is following their troubleshooting advice before making any final conclusions. Don’t worry, we have plenty of water! But we don’t want to leave Fiji and head to more remote island groups before resolving this. Love and miss you all, -D.
This area is referred to as “The Blue Lagoon” because it is the location where the movie was filmed over 35 years ago. The anchorage is one of the more protected ones in the Yasawas because it is in the middle of several islands. Most boats anchor in front of the resort on Nanuya-Sewa, but to the north is the island of Tavewa and to the west is Matacawa Levu. On Matacawa Levu there is a village where we went as a big group to do our sevusevu. The village was clean, and the people were welcoming and they gave us a tour around the village.
The resort was small and modest and there is a nice bar area where we enjoyed some beers several times. The real beauty of this area was the long, white sand beach. We moms escaped for a long walk together while all the kids, well, not sure what they did, but I’m sure they weren’t causing too much trouble.
A highlight for me while anchored at Blue Lagoon was when we had mother/daughter night on Exodus. This might sound like a strange thing for me to host given that, well, you know, I don’t have any daughters, but really it wasn’t so strange. I loved that for an evening my mom friends shared their wonderful daughters with me. In addition to showing off and admiring the dresses the girls had recently made, we played a game where you read questions and have to guess what others will answer. I love my boys, but having a girlie night really hit the spot for me.
One of the lowlights while anchored at Blue Lagoon was yet another sad good-bye. This is getting really, really old. This time it was Field Trip as they headed back down to Port Denarau to install new batteries and then go off to explore the Lau Group. One of the hardest things about cruising is all the good-byes, but we are enriched by all the people we’ve gotten to know and been fortunate enough to call friends. The Field Trip family is one of the special ones, indeed.
Logbook – September 2, 2015 (Natuvalo Bay to Blue Lagoon)
Passage Log Highlights
1106 engines on
1127 P engine off, main + genoa
1338 P engine on
1439 engines off Blue Lagoon
Daily Notes
Caught a skipjack tuna
Logbook – September 3, 2015 (Blue Lagoon)
Daily Notes:
Sevusevu at the village of Matcawalevu
Afternoon Minecraft on Fluenta then swimming on Exodus
Beers on shore with Field Trip
Potluck on Field Trip
Taking a tour of the village after presenting sevusevubreadfruit treewood-burning stoveLaundry basin.This little boy’s ready to goTim and Mark enjoying a beer at the resortThe paddle board game just never gets old
Logbook – September 4, 2015 (Blue Lagoon)
Daily Notes
All dads spearfish – T got a walu
All moms walk on the beach
Girls night of game playing on Exodus
Boys movie night on Honey
Photo op during our walk along the beachAnd somewhere along here is where the movie was filmedA busy anchorage at Blue LagoonLove these girls! We had a mother-daughter night on Exodus, because sometimes you just need girls around you!Modeling the dress they made
Logbook – September 5, 2015 (Blue Lagoon)
Daily Notes
Alex – no school to help dad w/ net
Boys clean hull then play in water
Breeze here – happy hour on shore
Sad, sad morning, saying good-bye to Field TripTim and Alex installing our new netAlex enjoying the fruits of his laborExodus has been invadedWonderful happy hour at the resort
Waya is the southern most island in the Yasawas, and we chose to anchor in the large bay on the northern side off of the village of Nalauwaki. This was far from our best village experience… with a resort nearby its easy to understand why the people of the village don’t see us as potential friends but as sources of money. Anyway, Fijian children are fun wherever you go, and it’s aways fun to buddy boat with other kid boats.
Logbook – August 25, 2015 (Navadra to Waya North)
Passage Log Highlights
1039 engines on – port
1045 SB engien on
1110 P engine off, main + genoa (left an engine on to run watermaker)
1348 P engine on
1429 engines off Waya North
Daily Notes
Sevusevu at village of Nalauwaki w/ Fluenta and Honey
$30 per person for guided hike. no thanks.
Kids played on beach w/ village kids
Happy hour on Fluenta
Taking in the stunning geography as we entered the bayWe anchored off goats in a graveyardMore stunning geographyHeading to shore to do SevusevuAfter our sevusevu the kids all wanted to go back and hang out on one of the boats. However, more and more we are able to count on Alex to make an effort with the local children.Fijian sand toys (who needs buckets and shovels!)The kids like to see the photosBenjamin had an admirerTim and Max hanging out with some of the local guys (photo by Fluenta – http://sv-fluenta.blogspot.com/)One of my favorite cruising ladies (photo by Fluenta – http://sv-fluenta.blogspot.com/)Did I mention the kids like to see the photos? (photo by Fluenta – http://sv-fluenta.blogspot.com/)
Logbook – August 26, 2015 (Waya North)
Daily Notes
Back to school for the boys
T/Max (Fluenta) spearfish – big walu
Surfing on small reef break
Fish feast on Exodus – Fluenta, Honey, Field Trip
We’re having fish tonight! The village as seen from the paddle boardShowing Victoria how to make a soft shackle.
Logbook – August 27, 2015 (Waya North)
Daily Notes
Watermaker timed out due to high salinity. Started generator and restarted water maker
T/Max/Tim (Honey) spearfish – another walu
D/boys to shore to play with kids
Boys minecraft on Exodus
Gathering from the reef at low tideEvidence of ancient lava flowSarah started reading a book……and soon she had everyone’s attentionElizabeth was quickly welcomed into the circle of girlsAlex is so huggableA trip to a village wouldn’t be complete without a baby with a knife
Logbook – August 28, 2015 (Waya North)
Daily Notes
Project day with Field Trip, Fluenta, Honey, then kids play on beach
Kids movie night on FT
Adult happy hour on Exodus
Apparently we still have provisions bought in MexicoMs. Silverstein giving us a lesson in Fijian language (Hey, pay attention Alex!)This photo was taken the next morning as we were departing Waya
The kid boat convoy headed back to Navadra and what a great surprise that Nirvana was there. Then Fluenta showed up and we totaled 6 kid boats in all. The kids camped on the beach for 3 nights and had a great time all together. Thanks to Breeze, Field Trip, and Lumbaz for some of these photos.
Logbook – August 20, 2015 (Viwa to Navadra)
Passage Log Highlights
0745 engines on
0830 SB engine off, main + genoa
1240 SB engine on
1259 engines off Navadra
Daily Notes
Motorsail to Navadra. Caught 2 mystery fish
Nirvana was at Navadra
Kids swim, party on Nirvana
Breeze undersail with Field Trip not far behindHeading back to Navadra
Logbook – August 21, 2015 (Navadra)
Daily Notes
Lots of kid boat fun!
Kids camp on beach. Adult happy hour on beach
Spontaneous dinner with Danny and Genie on Lumbaz
Beach Happy Hour!
Logbook – August 22, 2015 (Navadra)
Daily Notes
Tim/Mark – sewing project on Exodus
Fluenta arrives!
Hike and swim
Happy hour @ other beach – much easier dingy landing
Sewing project.The kids had fun boogie boardingBasecamp 3.0. (1.0 = Fulaga, 2.0 = Gau)We went for a little hike, and although I didn’t go all the way to the top, the photos still turned out pretty good.Beautiful view of the island to the south (Photo by Fluenta – http://sv-fluenta.blogspot.com/)Another beach happy hourNils loved his bowl of pasta and Chico loved anything he dropped
Logbook – August 23, 2015 (Navadra)
Daily Notes
T – spearfish, no fish here, help Mark w/ outboard
Kids on beach all day
S/V Honey arrives
Mom photo exchange on Exodus
Beach potluck
Breakfast campfire (I’m not sure it shows in this photo, but they were roasting marshmallows for breakfast.)Evidence! Marshmallows for breakfast (Photo by Fluenta – http://sv-fluenta.blogspot.com/)Beach photo shootNirvana crewLumbaz crewFluenta crewField Trip crewExodus crewOf course, the Field Trip quad copter made an appearancePhoto by Field Trip – http://svfieldtrip.blogspot.com/Photo by Field Trip – http://svfieldtrip.blogspot.com/Brenden and GigiBrenden and Nils
Logbook – August 24, 2015 (Navadra)
Daily Notes
Adios Lumbaz 😦
Fluenta vs cruise ship
Kids stay on beach all day again – pack up camp at 4pm
Fluenta kids over for Minecraft
Fluenta versus cruise shipThis is what Brenden looked like after camping on the beach for 3 daysSo sad to say good-bye to this special family
Email to Family and Friends dated Aug 24, 2015
Subject: Exodus – The kids have gone native
We have been back at Nevadra for a few days, and we were joined by two other kid boats so that made six in all. The kids have been camping on the beach for three nights, and this morning it was evident that they have really gone native. They are totally dirty, don’t answer the radio, and when Brenden came back to the boat to get water he said they didn’t need any food right now because Alex has gotten them coconuts. Amazing. They also tried to scare the cruise ship tourists who were snorkeling near the beach. They haven’t been doing school, so we need to get back into it, but it’s fun to hear what the kids think of to do on shore for days without iPads or computers (oh the horror!) Yesterday they played a game they called “simple Brenden,” which was basically a game of “would you rather…” and they had to justify and defend their choices to each other. They are such a good group of kids! They are breaking down camp right now because today is a sad day of good-byes as our good friends on Lumbaz are heading to port to prepare for their passage to Vanuatu. We are planning to start heading north of the Yasawa island chain tomorrow and we should be with our kid boat friends on Field Trip and Fluenta for at least another week or two. Love and miss you all, -D.
Viwa is a more isolated island to the west of the Yasawa island chain. The pass was tricky and the anchorage had terrible holding, but our experience there was truly an unexpected highlight. Thanks to Field Trip, Breeze, and Lumbaz for such a good time, and some of the photos too!
Logbook – August 18, 2015 (Manta Ray Resort to Viwa)
Passage Log Highlights
0829 Engines on
0852 P engine off
0812 SB engine off. Spinnaker
1128 SB engine on. Spinnaker down.
1150 P engine on
1229 Engines off Viwa
Daily Notes
Welcoming committee of kids
Sevusevu in village, tour of the resort
Happy Birthday to Elizabeth happy hour on Field Trip
Michael & Nils sleepover on Exodus
A spinnaker run to the west from Manta Ray Resort to Viwa
Email to Family and Friends dated August 18, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Viwa
After spending a couple days anchored near Manta Ray resort where we, you guessed it, swam with manta rays, we are now on a beautiful spinnaker run out to the island of Viwa. As usual, we are a caravan of kid boats. Viwa is a lesser visited island because it’s about 15 miles west of the rest of the Yasawa chain, so we are looking forward to being a bit off the tourist track again. Swimming with the mantas was phenomenal. They come to a pass between two islands to feed every day at max current, and there were a bunch of tourists in the water when we got there, but they cleared out quickly and then we had the mantas all to ourselves. I enjoyed the mantas very much because they just swim around you without caring that you are there, kind of like the whale sharks in Mexico. Much better than the sting rays that mob you because they want you to feed them. Love and miss you all, -D.
The Island of Viwa had a narrow pass and limited anchoring optionsWe anchored on the west side of the islandS/V Field Trip entering the pass. Notice the shipwreck right in the middle of the passInside the lagoon. I think the only place prettier than this was Fulaga.A parade of catamarans (Lumbaz, Exodus, Field Trip) Photo by BreezeOur welcoming committee. They got yelled at by the men in the fishing boat before they reached Exodus though. We aren’t sure if it was because they weren’t supposed to come bother the yachts or if it was because of the strong current.Going ashore for Sevusevu.Sevusevu. The chief is the one leaning against the door in the orange sulu.Genie (Lumbaz) always has a way with the children.All the kids sang happy birthday to ElizabethAll the men in their sulus.These photos were taken at the small resort, not at the village, and no, I’m not wearing a skirt. It was so hot I took it off!“…and the fish swam that way…”All the kids on Field Trip to celebrate Elizabeth’s 10th birthday.Nils, Michael, and Brenden.
Logbook – August 19, 2015 (Viwa)
Daily Notes
Alex plays on shore with boat and local kids
B/T – spearfish – walu + 2 small mystery fish
D – to village/handicraft market
Fun with local kids pulling them behind dingies
D/Genie even rode the banana
Walu dinner potluck on Exodus
Morning after the sleepover on ExodusBoat kids and village kids playing together (Photo by Breeze)Hanging out on Lumbaz (Photo by Lumbaz – https://lumbazander.wordpress.com/)Ainara and Alex (Photo by Lumbaz – https://lumbazander.wordpress.com/)Playing a little uno on Breeze (Photo by Breeze)And here’s where the real fun began. The kids all had a blast.And the sea plane added a little excitement when it landedPhoto by BreezeThe girls got a turn tooAnd the moms too! (Genie and Deanne) – Photo by BreezePotluck on Exodus!The shipwreck in the pass (I took this photo the next day as we were leaving Viwa)
Email to Family and Friends dated August 20, 2015
Subject: Exodus – More about Viwa
What an unexpected treasure Viwa was! The pass was a bit daunting, and the holding was terrible, so we decided to leave today before the wind gets strong again, but seriously, I could have stayed a lot longer. Yesterday, we had a good percentage of the village children out on Exodus and Lumbaz and then they had the idea to get out some water toys and pull them behind the dinghies. Wow, what fun they all had! I’m not sure who was having more fun, the kids getting pulled or the big kids driving the dinghies (Tim, Danny-Lumbaz, and Mark-Field Trip). Genie (mom from Lumbaz) and I even took a turn on the banana boat! The other great thing about Viwa is that there were fish! The guys all went spear fishing and came back with a nice sized Walu that fed all four families for dinner last night. We are motor sailing right now back down to Nevadra for a few days before Lumbaz has to head to a port to prepare for their departure to Vanuatu. Love and miss you all, -D.
We caught up with three other kid boats and had a great time anchored near Manta Ray Resort.
Logbook – August 16, 2015 (Waya to Manta Ray Resort)
Passage Log Highlights
0958 engines on
1015 SB engine off
SB engine on
Engines off Manta Ray
Daily Notes
Re-anchored in order to put out more scope
T – spearfish with Danny (Lumbaz) and Per (Breeze)
D – hang out with other moms
Kids play on Lumbaz then go to beach
Pizza on shore then cake and drinks on Lumbaz
Email to Family and Friends Dated August 16, 2015
Subject: Exodus – Yasawas
After saying good-bye to mom, we spent a very hectic day and a half in the Denarau marina. On Friday, we divided and conquered. I took the bus to immigration to extend our visas and hit the New World grocery store, Tim fixed the port saildrive (yes, again!) and the boys rinsed and brite boy’d all the stainless. The most important thing on my to do list that day, though, was happy hour at 5:00, because there were friends to catch up with that we hadn’t seen in a while. Just like when we arrived in Savusavu a couple months ago, pulling into this basin and seeing True Blue V tied up to a mooring felt a little like coming home. Yesterday we took a family bus ride into Nadi to go to the market for some fresh fruit and veggies and then we motor sailed as far north as we thought we could get in good light. We are currently anchored on the east side of Waya Island, and if there was any wind to speak of this would not be a good anchorage, but it means when we raise anchor later this morning, we will be that much closer to the manta ray anchorage where we will catch up with a gathering of kid boats. Hope all is well with everyone back home, Love and miss you all, D.
Transit from Waya Island to Manta Ray ResortWe anchored off the island of Drawaqa and Manta Ray resort was on the left island of Nanuya BalavuPizza dinner on shoreOur friends on s/v Lumbaz missed Alex’s birthday, so they had a celebration for him with a gift and cake and everything. Here the girls are singing happy birthday to him.And here’s the view from the other side. (Photo by Lumbaz – https://lumbazander.wordpress.com/)Alex got a Lumbaz shirt! (Photo by Lumbaz – https://lumbazander.wordpress.com/)
Logbook – August 17, 2015 (Manta Ray Resort)
Daily Notes
Swim with Mantas!
Tim helps Danny w/ boat project, D gets help from Genie with Spanish
Boys dinghy surf and play on Breeze
There is a pass between two small islands where the manta rays come to feed when the current is flowing. We all got to dive with them, and it was amazing. These photos are courtesy of S/V Breeze.Photo by BreezePhoto by BreezePhoto by BreezeBrenden and the Mantas. (Photo by Breeze)These fish were everywhere, and this picture captures what it was like to swim through a school of them. (Photo by Breeze)Jumping off of Breeze
This is a big tourist center with a marina and shopping mall. We stayed on the dock for two nights, mainly to drop mom off to catch her flight home but we took advantage of the shopping and happy hours.
Logbook – August 13, 2015 (Navadra to Port Denarau)
Passage Log Highlights
0817 Engines on
0845 P Engine off + Main
1352 P Engine on
1407 Engines off Denarau
Daily Notes
Motorsail to Denarau. TBV and Koa here
Dinner w/ Mom at Lulu’s
Bye to Mom 😦
Navadra to Port DenarauPort Denarau (Exodus at the dock)Last night of mom’s visit. Dinner at Lulu’s.If you try you can see Exodus tied to the dock.
Gresham Family Exodus 