SPIDER CONCH

Today I went snorkeling to check out a nearby reef.

I found a dead spider conch seashell. It was in good shape. Here is a picture.

The reef was OK, not spectacular. Fiji tends to spoil me with its beauty.

I'll probably go to Vuda on Monday as I can't seem to get an electrician here at Musket Cove.

BACK AT MUSKET COVE

Today I had planned to sail from Malolo Island to Vuda Point on mainland Fiji to arrange some repairs. Well, that what I get for making "plans", making God laugh again.

After leaving Malolo Island I found that my windlass had stopped working. The windlass is the piece of machinery which lowers and, more importantly raises my anchor.

Not having a trustworthy anchoring system I decided to pull back in to Musket Cove where I could safely tie up to a mooring ball. Consequently I am back at MC (Musket Cove) for a couple of days. Hopefully I can find a mechanic/electrician to fix the problem. I tried to fix the windlass and thought I had diagnosed and corrected the problem. Alas, as far as being a mechanic or electrician is concerned I make a pretty darned good Lawyer. (Insert drum roll and rim shot here please.)

Better a little safe than a lot sorry is a motto I'm learning to live by.

At times it seems that each day brings a new problem which I have christened the "Problem du Jour". Although it can be quite frustrating at times to have a new problem every day, nevertheless, I have tried to tell myself that if it were always easy I wouldn't appreciate the efforts as much. Each day therefore, should be viewed as a blessing.

I used to have the 'good 'ol Charlie Brown' attitude in which Charlie once told Linus that he had learned to dread one day at a time. It was funny in the comics section but is a crummy way to look upon life in general.

We cannot change ONE DAMNED THING about our past. We are not guaranteed ONE DAMNED MORE hour of life. We can only exist in and have some semblance of control over what we are doing NOW.

I haven't gone all 'New Age' or anything, but it is a more comfortable way to look at life's foibles.

My windlass will get fixed and the Earth will keep spinning on its axis. Come to think of it, the Earth will keep spinning on its axis even if my windlass isn't fixed.

The photo is from last year, 6 months before I left Hawaii.

MALOLO ISLAND SUNSET

I just can't help taking pictures of beautiful sunsets. There may come a day when I live in an area that isn't so blessed with such beauty. These photos may help me remember these wonderful days.

Today I went ashore and explored briefly.

I decided it was time to test my Hookah diving compressor. It worked just fine. Naturally it took a little adjusting, but it worked well enough for me to do some boat bottom cleaning. What fun that is!

Tomorrow I hope to sail to Vuda marina where I hope to get some repairs completed.

I hope to use my engine as little as possible, so it may be a long day and a good test of my sailing skills.

MALOLO ISLAND RESORT AND CAT'S EYE

Finally I've gotten off my lazy butt, had a good weather day and moved Torrid to a new location.

I sailed to Malolo Island. Remember, Musket Cove is located on Malololailai island. Malolo and Malololailai islands are connected via a narrow drying reef.

The resort on this island features over-the-water bures (hotel rooms) which can be found on practically any pretty beach in Tahiti---at triple the price I'm sure. I plan to go ashore in the morning and see how "Yachtie friendly" the place is. I'm also anxious to find out how much the rooms cost.

I did a little snorkeling and found it to be pretty good---not great---but pretty good. The 'shelling' was the best I've seen in Fiji. 'Shelling' is collecting seashells. No, I don't keep live specimens. I DO keep dead seashells if they are in good shape. Today I found a live 'Spider Conch'. I will now buy one in a tourist shop and be able to say that I found this type of shell in Fiji. They are not rare per se, but they have been pretty scarce as far as I have seen.

I found two dead "Giant" clams. These were both infants when they died. The shells should clean up nicely with a little bleach and scrubbing with a wire brush.

I also found a "Cat's Eye". This is the operculum of a sea shell. It is basically the 'front door' to a certain species of sea shell. What makes this find interesting is that it instantly reminded me of my mother. When we were living on Guam she obtained these 'cat's eye's which had been converted into earrings. For some reason these 'cat's eyes' fascinated my 5 year old mind. Since the item was no longer in use by the shell which had owned it, it became part of my collection.

The picture shows the 'cat's eye' up close using the macro lens. The item is less than the size of a US dime.

Sunset might be quite interesting as some of the outer islands will be in the foreground. I know you may be getting tired of sunsets but after all, whose BLOG is it anyway?

TORRID AT MUSKET COVE

Today I went to Vuda, Fiji to arrange storage for Torrid during the Cyclone season starting this November.

The picture is taken from the ferry on the way to Nadi/Denerau this am.

REMEMBERING CRAIG--AND OTHERS

I've not shared this before, but for the past few days I've been seriously remembering those people in my life who have allowed me to leave on my sailing adventure.
Unwittingly, they have released me from all of my ties and obligations I had in my life in Hawaii.
The saddest, by far, was the premature death of my son Craig. I had delayed my plans to leave Hawaii for a variety of reasons and the most pressing was my attempts to help Craig. For whatever reasons or causes my help eventually came to naught. His death haunts me every single day and will do so, I'm sure, for the remainder of my life.
My other son is emancipated and is gainfully employed as an airline pilot. He is doing well and no longer needs my help.
Sadly, my daughter, for whatever her reasons, real or imagined, rational or irrational has decided she does not wish to communicate with me. I fear she is not well and needs help --desparately. She knows I did not care for her leaving 4 of her children with her husband to depart her home in Colorado and move to Boston with another man.
I had been given voluntary custody of my three children and raised them with no help from their biological mother. I felt my daughter fell into this same mold which I strongly disapproved. Children, especially very young children, need their mother. My children did not have such benefit.
My second wife was a tremendous help with raising my children. She never had children of her own and truly put her heart and soul into loving me and helping raise my children. She will always have a special place in my heart, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the help she gave me with my children.
Sadly, my second wife had no interest in "Sailing off into the sunset". When it became completely clear to her that I would continue to pursue my lifelong dream of circumnavigation I felt us begin to drift apart---after 25 years of togetherness.
Our divorce, amicable as it was, became yet another release of my ties to Hawaii.
Finally the ladies I subsequently met, and loved, in Hawaii,had the good sense to dump me when it became clear to them that I would not surrender my dream of circumnavigation. Yes, I wavered, but eventually I realized that I would forever regret not attempting to realize my dream.
So, to those persons in my past who have made this trip physically and emotionally possible, whether on purpose, by accident and however motivated, I have to say "Thank You!" I say this to all, except my son Craig, whose sweet manner and kind heart is missed by me daily. I only wish he would've released me from my ties to Hawaii in a better way.

ALONE AGAIN, NATURALLY

George departed for Australia any all points of the compass today.

He was a great crew member and was very helpful, especially during the most difficult times of the passage from Hawaii to Fiji. He took the ferry to Denerau this morning and will fly to Brisbane this evening. The picture is of George waving "Goodbye" from the ferry.

I have a few chores to to as well as a few minor repairs I've been putting off.

Monday I'll go to Denerau/Nandi/Vunda to get a bunch of errands done.

Vunda will probably be where Torrid will stay during the cyclone season. We'll see how their facilities are. My most pressing concern will be with the depth of their channel.

Today at Musket Cove I noticed a tremendous difference between low and high tide. Apparently it is much more pronounced in Northern Australia at Darwin. Oh, well. Be prepared.

RELAXING AT MUSKET COVE

I've settled in here at MC. I went for a walk this am and took a "typical" photo to give some idea how beautiful it is here.

George is off "island hopping" on a tour boat. He is probably realizing that his time here is running short and he'll need to see as much as possible in the next few days.

I've sent of for a "care package" from a friend in Hawaii.

The cove here is very nice and a guy could become quite comfortable. Naturally, every Eden has a snake. In the case of MC it has to do with the high prices. The prices may be high compared to mainland Fiji, however, the prices are quite reasonable when compared to most resorts in the States.

Most of the Yachties here are Kiwis but there is a good percentage of Americans.

I thought for years that I would be unique by sailing around the World. In point of fact I've met numerous Yachties who have circumnavigated SEVERAL times. As for me, once is going to be enough-----I hope.

ARRIVAL AT MUSKET COVE

After a long motor-sail from Lautoka we arrived at the Yachtie haven known as Musket Cove. It is located on Malololailai Island about 12 miles west of Denerau.
The Bay is beautiful and well protected. After the grit and grime of Lautoka it is a bit of heaven.
The facilities are clean and modern. The staff seem outright anxious to help.
Tomorrow I have to arrange a few repairs/maintenance matters then I can settle in.

NEARING MUSKET COVE

I am VERRRRRRRRRRRRRY pleased to announce that I have departed Lautoka and am nearing Musket Cove. The little islands I have passed by en route are the "picture postcard" islands you see on the web pages when you look up Fiji vacations.
Naturally they will be full of tourists, but after dealing with the hustle of Nandi and the grime of Lautoka I'll put up with a few tourists anytime----especially if they're in bikinis.
Musket Cove is said to be THE place to be when cruising Fiji. I hope so.
My Fiji visa extension was granted, so I may remain here until late November.
George has purchased a ticket to Australia and I have obtained permission from the Fiji Immigration Department for him to leave the boat. Yes, I have to obtain permission from the Government for crew members to join or depart the boat.
I should be uploading pictures soon. Lautoka and Nandi were NOT picture worthy. Even on a digital camera.
Hopefully I'll have some friends send a "Care package" of supplies I need. Most of these supplies are readily available almost anywhere in the States. In Fiji-----well, let's just say that they either don't have it, never heard of it or the Government import Tax is so high as to make is cost prohibitive.
Oh, well. When in Rome.

SAD OBSERVATIONS

It is with profound sadness that I have to report the observations of the past few days.
First the not so bad. The resort "Island" of Denerau which is located near Nadi, is full of beautiful hotels, beaches, condos, yachts and tourists. Frankly, the hotels could be anywhere on the planet. Although beautiful, they are "cookie-cutters" which left me with the feeling that none of them had any flavor of Fiji whatsoever. I could foresee that most tourists would never see the Fiji that I have come to enjoy so much. They wouldn't have a $ 3.00 lunch in an Indian restaurant, wouldn't have a $ 3.00 haircut of go for a 40 mile bus ride for 0.85 cents. Instead, they would sip $ 8.00 bottles of beer, eat meals starting at $ 25.00 and never receive a warm "Bula!" greeting from a complete stranger on the street.
I saw the "plastic" Fiji and didn't like it.
Next, the somewhat bad.
Both Nadi and Lautoka have their problems.
Nadi has a lot of tourists and as such, it is difficult to walk down the street without some huckster coming up to you and trying to drag you into their store. Nighttime is unsafe with hustlers and hookers lurking in the shadows.
Lautoka is a city plagued by its own success. It has a seaport which is fine. It has a sugar mill and a pine wood mill, both of which burn a great deal of their products in their processing. Consequently, a constant pall of sooty smoke lies over the city at all times. The black ash gets everywhere. The town is just plain dirty. I can't wait for the next downpour so I can wash Torrid.
Night time in Lautoka is outright dangerous for a tourist. I was food shopping at sunset and quickly noticed how the safety of the streets rapidly diminished as the sun set. I wasn't frightened, but I wasn't comfortable and I wasn't going to take any chances by walking the 1 mile back to Torrid. Fortunately, taxis are cheap and plentiful. For a $ 1.50 taxi fare I felt much safer.
My computer has been down with power cord issues. The problem has been resolved---with a LOT of effort.
I suppose I am shedding my American expectations concerning availability of goods and services. Yesterday I looked in at least 8 stores trying to find a can opener. Finally I found one. It broke the first time I used it. Oh, well.
No photos were taken as I saw nothing worthy of a picture.

FIRE DANCERS VIDEO

Here is a short video of the Fire Dancers at Robinson Crusoe Island,
The internet connection here is very slow, so I can only load a short video.

MOMI BAY

To say Momi Bay is quiet is like saying Liberace was a flashy dresser.

Momi must be Fijian for "Quiet".

The anchorage is nice and easy, but, as our children always complain: There's nothing to do!

Oh well, on to Lautoka tomorrow. I plan to anchor off the Sheraton. At least there may be SOME activity nearby.

The photo is of Nandi Bay----at rush hour.

WAISTIN' AWAY AGAIN ON ROBINSON CRUSOE ISLAND

Another blisteringly busy day was spent on RC Island. I had decided to await delivery of some spark plugs for my generator and besides, the Ocean looked pretty rough outside the reef.
Accordingly, I spent the better part of the day holding a hammock chair in place while I read John Grisham's "The Bretheren."
Tomorrow it is off towards Lautoka-----maybe.

Nandi

Today I took a long boat ride and a long bus ride in order to spend a short time (30 minutes) in the city of Nandi.

From what I could see in such a short, errand filled visit, Nandi seems like the nicest large town/city I've seen in Fiji so far. It seems clean, has nice modern stores and is well-run. Nevertheless, Nandi is still a very small town by USA standards. It is relatively easy (and safe) to jaywalk across the busiest street in town. Stoplights and crosswalks were not seen by this writer. Surely there is much more to see and do in Nandi. I'll be spending much more time in Nandi and be making updated reports/observations.

The picture is of George participating in a "Tribal Night" festivity at of Robinson Crusoe Island.

ROBINSON CRUSOE ISLAND

I am anchored off Robinson Crusoe Island, a back-packer establishment located on a pleasant little island in Likuri Harbor, Fiji.

The facility is very Yachtie friendly. Meals are inexpensive and delicious. The guests are an international conglomeration of mostly young people who a traveling the World.

Tonight, July 4 in Fiji, all the Americans were asked to come up on stage before the Fijian show. I had no idea what was up, but I naturally joined about 20 other Americans. We were then asked to sing "The star-spangled banner" which we all did with vigor, if not proper tune or harmony. It was "Chicken-skin" time.

A Fijian group put on an excellent revue. The entire troupe seemed to truly enjoy their performance.

I have sensed that the Fijians have attained something I am straining to comprehend and copy: they live in the "NOW". All my life it seems I have been living either in the future with my hopes, dreams and plans or I've lived in the past with my regrets and self-recriminations. I'm slowly learning to live for today, to live for NOW. Certainly I cannot change a milli-second of my past and as for my future, well, we all know that "Tomorrow" is never a guarantee and our lives can change or even end in an instant. All that we can do anything about is happening in the NOW.

Paraphrasing the Alcoholic Anonymous Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I have done in the past, the wisdom to understand that I cannot foresee the future and the ability to live every moment of my life in the "NOW".

SUNSHINE BEAUTIFUL BEACHES ROBINSON CRUSOE ISLAND

Finally, I have arrived on the sunny, beautiful West Coast of Fiji. The beaches are beautiful and the sky is----get this--NOT RAINING!!!!!!

I've pulled into a small bay which has a back-packers resort called Robinson Crusoe Island. The place is very nice and the owner/operator is very "Yachtie" friendly.

Tonight the theme was 'tribal night' so the kids all dressed up as best they thought Fijian should look and played games. It was all in good fun. Most of the people are from Australia and England. A few were from Scotland, Wales, Denmark, one lad claimed to be from Pitcarin island.

I thought travel would improve my appreciation for other cultures and people in our world---and I was right.

Too often we think of ourselves as the center of the universe. We cannot or will not see anything beyond our own neighborhood or country. Travel, especially travel where you are not herded about by tour directors and into and out of expensive hotels, has a way of broadening your prespective of how you and your country fit into this complex spaceship which we call "Earth".

The pictures are from Robinson Crusoe Island.

SKIN DIVING ON GIANT CLAMS

George and the police

OK, OK, the fun is over.
George caught a guy trying to pick his pocket last night. Fortunately the police were nearby and arrested the would be thief. George went to the police station to fill out a complaint. Later the police brought George back to the Suva yacht club.
George did nothing wrong!!!!
Today we left Suva early as it is not a very pretty place to hang around. We did a good day passage thru the Beqa pass and on to a place called Vuananiu Bay. It is VERRRRRRRRRY quiet. Tomorrow we plan to sail up to Thubu Harbor--supposed to have a resort. Maybe we can have a little fun there.

SUVA UPDATE

Just a quick note: Arrived Suva safely, took on fuel, food and supplies. Traded our two barracuda we caught on the trip here for a free dinner at the Royal Suva Yacht Club.
George got returned to the club late last night by the Suva police.
More later.