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.
