Cyndi and Rich aboard Legacy
July 8, 2013 in Savusavu Fiji
We’re at the dock at the Copra Shed Marina in Savasavu. It’s kind of nice to be at the dock again with electricity and water. We came in when our Blue Sea solar charge controller quit (after only 14 months of use!). We’ve ordered another from New Zealand and it should be here today. Cruising: fixing boats in exotic locations.
OK, we didn’t catch that one. Here’s our recent mahi mahi.
July 6 – July 22
For our second visit to Savusavu we’d decided to try staying at a slip in the Copra Shed Marina. There aren’t very many slips, but we were able to get one. This way we could fully charge our batteries and Rich could do some minor repairs.
The Copra Shed Marina turned out to be a great place to stay. We had to buy extension cords to reach an electrical outlet (through the window, in the mens bathroom), but once that was done we stayed charged up. It was so nice to have access to showers and instant access to shore. Plus the staff members were terrific.
One of my favorite things about the marina was its underwater life, especially the lionfish who often hung out near the ramp. We named him Wilbur, and we never came up or down the ramp without stopping to look for him.
I would have thought that Viani Bay was the most social place in this part of Fiji, but I’d have to change that to mid-season Savusavu. Everyone passes through here, and it’s not like someone has to make dinner or delve into their dwindling drink stores to entertain. In a town filled with numerous great (and cheap) eateries and a nice waterfront bar, it’s so easy to impulsively meet for a drinks or a meal, or simply run into friends eating in the same place you are. Aside from breakfasts, I’m not sure we had a meal by ourselves this entire period! Luckily we really liked (nearly) everybody who was in town! –Cyndi
July 6, 2013 Viani Bay to Savusavu, Fiji
After a wonderful time in Viani Bay, we’re heading back to Savusavu today for some much-needed supplies (there’s nothing left to eat onboard – at least nothing we really want to eat!). And in Savusavu, there’s ICE CREAM! In the mean time, here’s more on New Zealand from Cyndi. -Rich
July 6, 2013
A good weather window had arrived, and it was time to head back to Savusavu. We pulled up anchor and motored out, radioing and waving good-byes to the few people still here. They, too, would soon be leaving, but it wouldn’t be long before a whole new group would be in here.
Looking back, I can appreciate how special our time in Viani Bay was. There were bays more beautiful in our future, but the fact that this bay was well protected, easy to linger in, on the way to and from other cruising grounds, a convenient place to meet up with cruising friends, and had Jack’s excursions and lovos gave this spot a unique summer camp atmosphere that we haven’t experienced before or since. Viani Bay will always be counted as one of our favorite places. –Cyndi (Click any picture to enlarge/scroll)
June 20 – July 6, 2013
One of our favorite things about our anchorage in Viani Bay was nearby Yanuyanuwiri, the little island that enclosed this area of the bay. A few people we knew actually visited the island and said the people who lived there were very nice. We were content just to enjoy our view of it, especially at sunrise when the first light of day would shine it on like a spotlight, then spread over the entire island as the sun rose higher. (Click to enlarge gallery photos.)
Of course it wasn’t just Yanuyanuwiri that made sunrises here lovely. Clouds hovering over the top of mountainous Taveuni island would turn pink at sunrise, and the hills around our bay would take on a reddish gold hue.
During the day, we might see flowers from a nearby fish poison tree floating by our boat.
The most beautiful time of the day was the evening, when the grassy hills across the bay would almost glow and the greens in our area would become vivid in the golden wash of light. (Click to enlarge gallery photos.)
After sunset, we might have a quiet evening on the boat, or drinks in a cockpit with friends, or go to a dinner or party. After the Great White Wall dive, Communique threw a party on their beautiful boat for everyone in the anchorage.
Most of the cruisers in the bay had been waiting for the Great White Wall dive. Now that we’d done it, most everyone was heading on. While other cruisers generally head east at this point, we opted to head back to Savusavu to re-provision as we don’t have a freezer. Plus, we really missed those dumplings at Savusavu Wok. –Cyndi
