Saturday, November 21, 2015

November 2015 KaijaSong refit complete!



2015 was a good year for KaijaSong.  She spent 10 months on the hard, safely set into a Cyclone Pit, resting and getting a major facelift/refit.  During that 10 months she received all new canvas, a complete new paintjob of deck, topsides and bottom, new upholstery inside and out, new headliners in the aft cabins and head, new drawers in the galley, new batteries and battery monitor…she looks like a new boat and we are very pleased with the work done by Vincent and his Merry Crew of hard workers.  Here is Kaija with the boys after a job well done!









Friday, November 20, 2015

Pat's Fiji Visit Oct - Nov 2015


Our good friend Pat joined us on Oct 19.  She had just completed a 25 day Holland America Cruise, Vancouver to Sydney Australia…but apparently that was not enough cruising for her…undaunted she flew from Sydney to Nadi Fiji to join Kaija and me on KaijaSong as we began Season 12 of our cruising life.

As we were still ‘on the hard’ her first few days provided her real insight on that necessary time in a cruiser’s life when boat maintenance requires you to get out of the water and paint the bottom and all those other misc. annual requirements.

 
Within a few days, the boat was ready for launching with new bottom paint applied and new canvas installed.

During these final days Kaija and Pat enjoyed seeing some of the more famous land sites of this beautiful area.

First on sightseeing agenda was the Garden of the Sleeping Giant.  Kaija and Pat were joined by good friend Annette Sv Tempest.
 
Sitting in the foot hills of Nausori highlands, the gardens were started in 1977 by the late actor Raymond Burr, of “Perry Mason and Ironside” fame.  The garden is home to a beautiful array of native flowers, plants and lily ponds and is the one of the World’s largest Orchid collections.

Next they ventured to Nadi the home of Sri Siva Subramanlya Temple. 
This unique Hindu Temple, the largest in the southern hemisphere, reflects an architectural style rarely seen outside of India.  Situated at the far end of Nadi town, the colours and statues around the temple are equistite.  Following tradition the girls had their shoulders covered, wore Sari’s and removed their footwear.

Finally it was time to cast off the lines and in the tradition of Fiji hospitality, the staff of Vuda Marina bid us fond farewell thru their songs and music from the shore.

For our first boat run in over a year we made our way north a short trip to Seweena Bay…ALL SYSTEMS WERE A GO….YEAH!!!

After a day of resting and relaxation and getting caught up with old friends Marie and JP (Mc Domino) and Bev and crew member Greg (Sv Kokoh) and an evening of singing and Ukelele strumming we set out for the 5 star resort known as Musket Cove.

This Island is home to 3 of Fiji’s oldest Resorts started by Richard Smith in 1976.  With restaurants and pools a plenty and accommodation to fit even the rich and famous.  The small airport sits directly in the middle of the island and daily we were buzzed by low flying aircraft some landing on floats skimming over mast and waves to drop off and pick up their fares.

With such splendor so close at hand Pat suggested we remain for the duration of her visit and we enjoyed hours of snorkeling and lazing poolside and a day trip out to the very unique floating bar Cloud Nine for some refreshments and Fiji Pizza.

With days dwindling by and time of Pat’s departure fast upon us, we sailed over to Denarau which houses a large world class Marina.  There is plenty to do and see in this part of Fiji and provided easy access for Pat to the airport.  We enjoyed having our good friend visit and were sad to see her leave.

Once again Kaija and I are on our own and sailing off into the sunset.  Bound for Savu Savu where our cyclone mooring awaits.