Hi
We are now in Fiji, after completing our first two-person passage on this trip. We had a good trip apart from the last night when we had storms with high winds and torrential rain which reduced visibility to zero just as we were going along the side of the island, which is surrounded by reefs. However, when we reached our reef passage at first light, the rain stopped and it was great to go through the passage into calm waters and clear skies. Had a lovely 3 hour sail up to the port - good winds and flat water - what could be better. Arrived at the port about mid-day and spent the rest of the day until 6pm going through customs, health and quarantine. What a nightmare. Endless forms in triplicate, then turn the carbon papers over and do the other side. All the forms required almost identical information, including for example which of the numerous islands we were going to visit, when and what for, alongside detailed info about the boat and us. The customs man then came back with us in our dingy to inspect the boat - and he went through every locker and space he could find. Eventually pronounced us OK and handed over our papers. Then the health inspector came on board (not terribly easy in our dingy as rather large gentleman) and all he did was to write us out a certificate - no inspection or further questions. Michael then had to go back with the health inspector, who drove him into town to ATM to get cash to pay the fees. Phew - all done by about 6pm, except we have to get our cruising permit today and do some provisioning. Exhausted, especially after no sleep the night before.
Today we have woken up refreshed to blue skies but a black boat - smuts from the sugar cane factory - sugar is the main export of Fiji. We are now going into town - we certainly don't need any protein as have a freezer full of tuna and Mahi-Mahi. Picture today shows just a little of the Mahi-Mahi which has been prepared for storage.
fish fillets