Today I awoke early and reluctantly departed Tokoriki Island and departed for the safety of Vuda Point Marina.
After wrestling with my anchor chain in a merry little dance, I left Tokoriki and had a pleasant little cruise back to the relative safety of Vuda Point Marina.
Tomorrow, New Year's Eve, I will venture into Lautoka to reprovision. I'm thinking of revisiting Robinson Crusoe Resort. It would be a very simple 2 day trip there and it really is a wonderful spot. My only concern is the distance involved in case another cyclone brews up.
This most recent cruise has been fun and refreshing. The Mamanuca Islands are truly stunning in their beauty.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
TOKORIIKI ISLAND RESORT
Tokoriki Island Resort is now amongst my "Top Ten" places to be in the World.
The setting is beautiful. The grounds are pleasant. The snorkeling is great----once you get out into deeper water.
I spent a very relaxing day ashore and shared dinned with the resident manager and his wife.
I met a charming couple fron San Clemente. Jim is a retired United States Marine and was stationed at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii while I was preparing Torrid for this trip. His girlfriend "Johanna" is stunningly beautiful. Semper Fi!
The setting is beautiful. The grounds are pleasant. The snorkeling is great----once you get out into deeper water.
I spent a very relaxing day ashore and shared dinned with the resident manager and his wife.
I met a charming couple fron San Clemente. Jim is a retired United States Marine and was stationed at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii while I was preparing Torrid for this trip. His girlfriend "Johanna" is stunningly beautiful. Semper Fi!
Monday, December 28, 2009
CHILLIN' AT TOKORIKI RESORT
Here is another boring old self-portrait.
It was taken at the Tokoriki Resort Hotel with Torrid in the background as well as Mamanuca-i-thake Island way in the background.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
TOKORIKI ISLAND
This morning I moved over to nearby Tokoriki Island.
The water is just beautiful. I swear I can see bottom at 70' from my deck.
The island has two resorts. One VERRRRRRRRRRY nice, the other just OK.
Fortunately, I was welcome at both.
I waded into the "infinity" pool at the Tokoriki Island Resort to take an interesting photo of Torrid off in the distance.
You will need to click on the photo to enlarge the picture. Torrid looks like a toy boat floating in the infinity pool.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
SUNSET WITH CASTAWAY ISLANDS
Today was rather uneventful. Same old thing, snorkeling for an hour, discovering a seashell (dead) which I didn't have in my collection, etc. etc.
I fixed up my fishing lures. I'd kind of like some fresh fish.
I'll attach a sunset photo of the Castaway Islands Monuriki, on the left, and Monu on the right.
Both islands are uninhabited. In my chat with Zo yesterday, he confirmed the reason so many of these beautiful islands are uninhabited----no water.
Tomorrow I have to think about making my way back to mainland Fiji as my provisions are running low----or out!
I really hate to leave, but I'm very thankful for the opportunity to visit this part of Fiji.
I fixed up my fishing lures. I'd kind of like some fresh fish.
I'll attach a sunset photo of the Castaway Islands Monuriki, on the left, and Monu on the right.
Both islands are uninhabited. In my chat with Zo yesterday, he confirmed the reason so many of these beautiful islands are uninhabited----no water.
Tomorrow I have to think about making my way back to mainland Fiji as my provisions are running low----or out!
I really hate to leave, but I'm very thankful for the opportunity to visit this part of Fiji.
Friday, December 25, 2009
MONU ISLAND
In the movie "Castaway" Tom Hanks climbs to the top of his island and looks out upon an empty sea.
In reality, he was actually atop another island, Monu Island, which is adjacent to Monuiriki Island.
Also, in reality, you can see at least a dozen other islands as well as mainland Fiji from the SHORELINE of Monu Island.
The photo is of the top of Monu Island where Tom Hanks contemplated suicide.
Oh yes, the wind came down and the evening became quite pleasant.
In reality, he was actually atop another island, Monu Island, which is adjacent to Monuiriki Island.
Also, in reality, you can see at least a dozen other islands as well as mainland Fiji from the SHORELINE of Monu Island.
The photo is of the top of Monu Island where Tom Hanks contemplated suicide.
Oh yes, the wind came down and the evening became quite pleasant.
MAMANUTHA-I-THAKE
This morning I sailed from "Castaway" Island, aka Monuiriki Island, over to the nearby island named Mamanutha-i-thake. I wanted to get over here early because I knew that once the tour boat collected the mobs from Monu Island they come over here to take the tourists ashore and buy local handicrafts.
The chief was away on another island so I had a meeting with their second in command. Traditionally, one gives Kava as a present to the chief. I don't drink, so I don't promote Kava. Instead, I gave the assistant chief several fish hooks, 6 cans of tomato sauce and on of the most important "tools" an American always has in his toolbox: a brand new roll of duct tape. They all seemed to enjoy the gifts and invited me ashore this evening for music and dancing. They ALL wanted to make sure that I did not have a wife or a girlfriend. Then they ALL started giggling and talking in very rapid Fijian. As if I would understand Fijian if they spoke slowly!
I had a long chat with a lad named "Zo". He seemed extremely intelligent and wanted my views on American politics, our involvement in Iran and Afghanistan, and what I thought about President Obama.
Later, I went past the shop displays, wanting to get there before the tourists swarmed ashore. I found two nice seashell specimens which I had found alive but replaced while snorkeling. I did not feel bad purchasing these shells. Besides, it helps the Fijian community.
A high wind warning had been posted on the Fiji weather outlook station. It is NOT being caused by a Cyclone; rather, it is being caused by a very strong High Pressure system south of Fiji and North of New Zealand.
While ashore I noticed that the wind had indeed picked up a great deal. Torrid was sitting at anchor in 35' of water with an onshore wind. Why is it ALWAYS on onshore wind? I rushed back out to Torrid to anchor sit.
The tour boat left, the wind came down and I moved Torrid over to the safety of the mooring ball.
I feel much more comfortable.
The chief was away on another island so I had a meeting with their second in command. Traditionally, one gives Kava as a present to the chief. I don't drink, so I don't promote Kava. Instead, I gave the assistant chief several fish hooks, 6 cans of tomato sauce and on of the most important "tools" an American always has in his toolbox: a brand new roll of duct tape. They all seemed to enjoy the gifts and invited me ashore this evening for music and dancing. They ALL wanted to make sure that I did not have a wife or a girlfriend. Then they ALL started giggling and talking in very rapid Fijian. As if I would understand Fijian if they spoke slowly!
I had a long chat with a lad named "Zo". He seemed extremely intelligent and wanted my views on American politics, our involvement in Iran and Afghanistan, and what I thought about President Obama.
Later, I went past the shop displays, wanting to get there before the tourists swarmed ashore. I found two nice seashell specimens which I had found alive but replaced while snorkeling. I did not feel bad purchasing these shells. Besides, it helps the Fijian community.
A high wind warning had been posted on the Fiji weather outlook station. It is NOT being caused by a Cyclone; rather, it is being caused by a very strong High Pressure system south of Fiji and North of New Zealand.
While ashore I noticed that the wind had indeed picked up a great deal. Torrid was sitting at anchor in 35' of water with an onshore wind. Why is it ALWAYS on onshore wind? I rushed back out to Torrid to anchor sit.
The tour boat left, the wind came down and I moved Torrid over to the safety of the mooring ball.
I feel much more comfortable.
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