THE GREEN FLASH

This evening I saw the green flash. This is a rare observation made just as the sun sets on the horizon.
I had seen it three times before in Hawaii.
The atmosphere must be just right to make the observation. Naturally, you must actually be looking for it.
Most of us go through our lives attuned more to a clock than to the natural rhythms of the universe. Put differently: You've got to stop and smell the roses, or in this case, actually take out the time and watch the sunset.
Granted, it is rare and only happens when the conditions are just right.
Fortunately tonight I sensed that the conditions might be right.
I was rewarded, albeit momentarily, with the green flash. My only regret is that I did not have my camera handy.
Maybe next time.

BULA VS. ALOHA SPIRIT

I have lived in Hawaii for over 40 years.

The clelbrated "Aloha spirit" has been used to lure visitors since the first Europeans "discovered"the islands.

I have personally seen that spirit fade towards near extinction. Today the tourist is viewed with near contempt. The average tourist will encounter, at best, an artificial "Aloha spirit" put on by those employed in the tourism industry not to demonstrate true welcome for the visitor but merely as part of their job requirement. Contempt for the visitor is pervasive. The term "Haole",once used to describe an outside visitor or foreigner, has become an insulting term of derision tantamount to the dreaded "N" word!

In Tahiti I have seen the local population barely put up a facade of welcoming the tourist. The Tahitians do not care much for the French who control the government. Most Caucasian visitors are simply tolerated but not genuinely welcomed by most of the Tahitians.

In contrast I have found the people of Fiji, be they native Fijian or descendants of Indians, to seem to be universally and genuinely welcoming to Caucasian visitors.

It is COMMON for complete strangers to welcome me with a smiling greeting of "Bula". Strangers on the public bus will smile, shake my hand and strike up a friendly conversation.

I do not know how or whether it is possible for the people of Hawaii to rekindle the true meaning of the "Aloha spirit", but I have a suggestion where they can look for a good example: Fiji.

Of course, another pretty sunset!

BULA,

Cap'n Mal

Wasn't I cute?

While clenaning out some old papers I came across a class picture taken of me a loooooooong time ago. As best I can guess, I was about 10 and living in Minnesota when my father was a Navy recruiter.

To preserve the photo and for my own personal memories I decided to put it in my Blog.

Yes, things are STILL that dull in Vuda, Fiji.

WHO, ME?

One of the fun things in travel is finding language differences.

In this case the sign is referring to what we call "speed bumps" in the United States.

I thought this sign referred to not only the hazzard but also the driver.

Yes, things are THAT boring in Vuda. I'm looking forward to getting back to sea!!!

STILL UP IN THE AIR AT VUDA

Well, Torrid's bottom has never looked better and my transmission has been repaired---I hope. My windlass, that's the thingamajig that raises and lowers my VERRRRRY heavy anchor and chain was not fixed properly so it is being worked on. Since I was up on the "Hard" ie., dry dock, I decided to check out my rudder, that's the thingamajig that controls the direction the boat is supposed to go. Well, the rudder seemed a little loose so I had it removed and found that my rudder bearing needed replacement. Believe me, I'd MUCH rather take of this matter BEFORE is becomes a major problem at Sea. An ounce of prevention, etc., etc., etc.

I have realized that is is DIFFICULT to spend more than $20.00(US) on food per day in Fiji. Sure, I don't eat steak and lobster, but the food is good and reasonable.

This evening was "Pizza night" at the adjoining resort. For $5.00 (US) I had a pizza which was much too large for one sitting. Guess what's for breakfast? Speaking of breakfast, this morning I ate in Lautoka and had a full breakfast with coffee, toast, 2 eggs, bacon and sausages for $6.00 (US). No, I'm not fixated on food, just supporting the point I'm trying to make about the reasonableness of the food costs here.

This evening I treated myself to a Diet Coke at the Marina bar at sunset, I hope the reader enjoys another spectacular Fiji sunset as much as I did.

Why is it ALWAYS something?

Why is it that there is always something that needs to be fixed on a sailboat? It seems the list is never ending.
On the plus side at least the repairs are being done before I had any difficulties. Better to fix something before it breaks. Preventitive maintenance helps make sure serious problems do not arise once I'm well out to sea.
Once the immediate repairs are done I'm planning to finally get out to the Yasawa Islands. Each time I ride the local bus into Lautoka City I look westward and seek out Waya Island. She seems to beckon me and I am anxious to answer her siren call.
Hopefully I can make this blog more interesting reading.

HAULIN' OUT

Torrid was hauled out of the water this morning.

I can tell you that this is one of THE most worrisome days in the life of a boat owner.

I must say that I did not sleep very well last night in anticipation of today's planned activities.

As it turned out, all went well with no problems whatsoever. The crew here at Vuda really know their business.

As I make this Blog entry my bottom has already been cleaned and is being taped and sanded. Yes, I did mean my BOAT bottom.

Another couple of workmen are fixing the transmission leak which has been plaguing me ever since my arrival off Taveuni in March of this year.

My Cutlass bearing will also be replaced as it is loose and I had noticed quite a vibration when the engine was on and in gear.

The picture is of Torrid just as she came out of the water.

For the time being, Iexpect less than 1 week, I'll be living "On the hard".

GOIN' ON THE HARD

No, is isn't that!
Tomorrow Torrid gets taken out of the water for some work.
I'm having the bottom cleaned and repainted. I will also have my transmission and cutlass bearing repaired. Not very exciting, but these are chores I thought should be done before I venture out to the Yasawas on my own.
This evening I met with friends and we had a great time sharing stories (maybe some lies) about out past adventures.
I'm learning to become a better listener as it seems I gather more information when I'm listening as when I'm speaking.
Today I went into Lautoka to purchase equipment for the haul out. I had a very nice conversation with a young Fijian man while waiting for the bus. During our discussion I "people-watched" and was struck by the kind of quiet dignity that is present in the Fijian and Indian people of all ages. They do not seem stricken by the angst we in America have of always wanting "more" out of life yet never obtaining satisfaction or contentment.
Perhaps most of the people of Fiji are poor by our economic standards, but I have seen that they are much richer than us when the scale measures happiness and contentment with life.
I am happy to be permitted to observe this contentment.

SUNSET WITH WHISKERED FRIEND

This evening I began to feel better and decided to crawl out of my cave and take in another sunset. I wasn't disappointed.

Here is a picture of the sunset and one of my whiskered friend. He's kind of small, but if you look closely on the chair by my left leg you'll see him.

SICK LEAVE

Sorry, I've been down with a bug for a couple days. Luckily it does not seem serious and I'm safely moored at Vuda.
Really nothing new to report.
Hopefully, I'll be out of here in a day or so.
In the meantime, rest, fluids and more rest.

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY

A very wise lady once told me that a in each life a little rain must fall. Well, my life is now completely full---of rain.
I had planned, and we all know how well that works, to leave Vuda Marina for the Yasawa Islands today. Well, last night the wind began to kick up and the rains soon followed.
As I write this I can hear the wind whistling in the wires and the rain pelting the deck. The only thing that could make it more fun would be to be out bouncing about on a very rough sea.
Sorry, no picture, nothing to photograph.

Die Welte ist ein Dorf

Tonight I ran into Helmut and Renata. They are fellow cruisers. I met them in Savusavu and enjoyed their company very much.

They are Germans and were nice enough to stand my terrible German language skills.

We were talking about how small the World is and I told them the old saying: "The World is a very small place.

They told me "Die Welte ist ein Dorf". Translation: "The World is a Village"

I love learning new languages and phrases.

This their picture which I took in Savusavu.

JAM SESSION

Last night several yachties got together for an impromptu jam and snack-sharing session.

There was an unusual combination of an accordion and a saxaphone.

They also had a very good Karaoke system.

Most of us howled, off key, into the night, and a good time was had by all.

The picture is just a small part of the group

VUDA UPDATE

Nothing much for the update.
My windlass and refrigerator are in for repairs. I've been promised they'd be fixed and installed by Saturday-----we'll see.
Vuda is a very nice facility and the people are great.
Next week I'm off to cruise the Yasawa Islands and hope to have much more interesting updates.
I went back to Lautoka today and bought a lot of provisions. When I'm SURE the refrigerator will keep running I can buy meats and perishables.
Not very exciting I know. But heck, no problem du jour.

SEA SHELLS

Things are quiet today as my windlass and refrigerator are being repaired.

The good news is that the windlass repair job WAS over my limited ability to repair i.e., my repair efforts could not have fixed the problem. The BAD news is that the windlass motor probably has to be rebuilt.

The refrigerator probably has a freon leak which should be repairable. The repairman put in some refrigerant and the motor started up again, so I'm generally optimistic.

Here is a picture of some seashells I picked up on a beach recently. Yes, the seashells were ALL dead.

HAS IT BEEN A DREAM?

Today I motor-sailed from Musket Cove to Vuda.
It was with some trepidation that I slipped loose the safe mooring at Musket Cove and departed, solo, for Vuda Marina.
Though not very distant, it did represent a leap of faith of sorts to leave a position of safety and comfort to venture to a new and, as yet, untested destination.
The transit was far less exciting than the anticipation. Thank goodness!
My keel is 9' deep which is quite deep by yacht standards. As a consequence I have to be far more sensitive to narrow passages than most other sailors.
The entrance to Vuda Marina beckoned and the tide was on the rise. I was prepared to anchor outside and await a higher tide.
"George" came out to escort me into Vuda Marina. I took a deep breath and started to follow. It occur ed to me that I still hadn't been hit with the problem du jour yet. I had visions of getting stuck in the channel and being the harbor show of the day.
On more than one occasion my depth gauge read 9'5". I held my breath. It was strange. I actually felt relieved when the depth gauge read 11'. At any other time it would've given me a heart attack.
Suffice it to say that I got into Vuda Marina safely. The neighbor yachties were very helpful in making sure I pulled into my slip safely----and didn't damage THEIR boats in the process.
Later, I had a leisurely lunch and watched the clouds scudding in from the West. In so doing, I asked myself: "Has it been a dream?" Sailing from Hawaii, actually starting a voyage I had planned and hoped for so very, very long. I waded through some of my pictures and some of my Blog entries and kept returning to the same question: Has it been a dream?
Now, late at night, as I make this entry, from the safety of a secure mooring in a nice marina, in Fiji, I wonder: Has it been a dream?