We arrived at the Navula Passage just before daybreak and after manoeuvring out of the way of a few large cargo vessels, we entered the passage. We had no sooner got Paw Paw lined up with the lights of the range markers and checked our leadline on our navionics charts, when the lghts went out.
With the glare of the sunrise directly ahead, coupled with the flat seas, we were unable to see the range markers or any breaking waves that would indicate the reef. Not the kind of excitement we were looking for after a very drawn-out out sail from Savusavu. We did, however, get through safely and opted to anchor in Momi Bay for the night vs heading further up the west coast.
It has been a very worrisome few days as we awaited news from Arizona on the well-being of our twin grandsons. With the wonderful news, which we received just after anchoring, that all was progressing well with the pregnancy and that the twins were indeed identical with n
o
complications as first suspected, we both crashed, exhausted from the sail and relief.
We awoke fresh and full of the joys of life, so we decided to take advantage of the wind that had come up. We had a fabulous sail to Denerau Island where we are now comfortably anchored and will remain for the foreseeable fututre.
Being Friday night and curiosity getting the better of us, we then decided to go ashore. If dismay was what we felt about Suva, then astonishment is what we felt this evening seeing Port Denerau Marina.
We have never seen anything like it. Besides the marina, there are restaurants and bars everywhere, huge resorts, a 18-hole golf course, a waterpark, a cinema, tenpin bowling, diving, parasailing, jet-skiing, dinghy sailing, supermarkets, chandleries, laundry, fuel dock, banks, a light rail service to the international airport and major towns, ferry services, excursion yachts of all descriptions. The list of facilities and activ
ities
is endless, not to mention the size of the development. Simply mind boggling! Basically a onestop holiday destination for any kind of tourist, be they landlubber or sailor; a tourist trap delux! It is such a stark contrast to Savusavu and indeed Suva, we were dumbfounded to say the least.
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