FINAL SHOPPING VISIT TO LAUTOKA

    I am in Lautoka for my (hopefully) final shopping trip.

  Torrid is pretty much ready for the trip back to Savusavu.  

  I found out that my "Care package" from the States will arrive on Saturday, so I'll hang at Vuda for a few more days.

  I'm anxious to move on, but the "Care Package" has several items which will make my passage to Vanuatu far more comfortable.

  It will be with a VERY heavy heart that I depart Fiji and her wonderful people.

  Living in Fiji is all about compromise.  You must learn to do without the many, many conveniences of living in the USA.  As a trade-off, you learn to live without crime, traffic, neighbors and worrying about whatever is going on in the rest of the World.  I have not driven a car in over a year and REALLY do not miss it!

  I'll probably send an update from Savusavu, then not post another entry until I'm safely in Port Vila, Republic of Vanuatu. 

  

FINAL PREPARATIONS

I am about 1 week from finally leaving Vuda Marina.

I'll sail to the nearby port of Lautoka. In Fiji if you want to sail from one area to another you must physically present yourself to the customs authorities and get clearance (permission) to depart. When you arrive at the next port you must do the same thing i.e., check in with customs and immigration. If you fly, drive or take a ferry-no problem. If you are on a yacht you have to go thru this procedure. Failure to do so properly can get you in a LOT of trouble.

Yesterday my Single-sideband radio (short-wave radio) was taken into the shop for repairs. It seemed to not be putting out enough power.

Otherwise, I'm almost ready. Just need to take on a few more provisions before I finally make the hop to Vanuatu.

OF ORCHIDS AND PREPARATIONS

A couple of days ago I finally visited the Sleeping Giant orchid exhibition. It was started by actor Raymond Burr (Perry Mason/Ironside/Rear Window). Apparently he had a fondness for Fiji and privacy (he bought an island). The park was well maintained and I saw many, many varieties of orchids.

My refrigerator is finally working and I'm awaiting a part for my anchor windlass. After that, I'm pretty much ready to check out of Fiji and push on to Vanuatu. The crossing should take 5-7 days and my Port of entry should be Port Vila on Efate Island. Find that on Google earth.

Although I'm sad to depart Fiji, it is a circumnavigation after all!

Enjoy the picture of the orchid!