November 18 – 21, 2013
We got online to check out Bob McDavitt’s Weekly Weathergram and were very excited when he mentioned a possible weather window (for a New Zealand passage) arriving in the next few days. It wouldn’t have much wind so would be for those of us who didn’t mind motoring (those who did mind would have to wait a few more days.) Well, our motto is: “We have an engine and we are not afraid to use it!” (This was actually Lisa Kay’s motto but we’d borrowed it). We wrote to him immediately saying we were interested.
During the coming days the weather window continued to look good. We bought an extra fuel jug and were prepared to motor most of the way to New Zealand. The only drawback: we’d have to contend with some squally conditions. The thunder and lightening these can bring gave other friends of ours enough pause that they decided to wait for the later window. We decided we’d rather go now in spite of potential squalls rather than wait for a window that could easily disappear.
On the 20th, we woke up to a particularly beautiful morning. All our hatches were open, and the early morning air felt cool and refreshing, just like an early-summer morning back home in California. The light from the rising sun was reflecting off the water, making wavy patterns on the ceiling. Looking outside, the sky was half dark with clouds and half sunny, a frequent sight in the tropics and a sign that we might get some rain.
We got an email in which Bob gave us the go-ahead to leave the next day as planned. We spent the day provisioning and getting ready. In the evening we had quite a lightning show in the distance, something I always enjoy, but this evening I also felt some trepidation. Tonight we were watching from the safety of the harbor; tomorrow night we’d be out on the ocean and possibly in something like that. It didn’t help my nerves when the storm came over us, now with thunder, near-constant flashing, and visible bolts of lightning. We did sit outside for awhile to watch, calming our uneasiness with some rum, then headed inside when it came too close.
No, this would not deter us from leaving the next day, but it was a reminder that opting for squalls over wind and waves would bring its own risks. The next morning we checked out as planned, did some last-minute shopping, and paid for our mooring at the marina. At this point, in 2013, the mooring wasn’t very expensive and to us was worth the expense for the feeling of security that came from being on it.
We then headed to the boat, got everything stowed, and dropped our mooring at 1:30pm, pretty much at the 3-hour time limit for leaving after checking out (Fiji’s policy at the time). Below, some random photos of the harbor under Suva Skies at all times of the day and night. (You can click on any photo to enlarge and scroll through them.)
And a couple of cool photos Rich took of some Chinese fishing boats in the harbor.–Cyndi
