September 26-27, 2013
We set off from Vanua Balavu during a warm, sunny morning, but conditions deteriorated as the day went on. The wind steadily ramped up into the 20-knot range while sloppy and rough seas grew into big, fast swells. In all it got pretty boisterous but thankfully we were going downwind, the swells and wind pushing us along at a good clip. It was a reminder of just how rough the water around Fiji can be, something that often takes cruisers by surprise.
Conditions remained rough through the night. Rich was surrounded by breaking waves when he went through the pass (into the Savusavu area) on his watch early the next morning. We were perfectly safe, but the visuals were unnerving. And of course it was raining (it always rains when we enter a pass).
Once inside, the wind was still blowing, but at least now the seas were calm. By the time we got to the Copra Shed Marina conditions had died considerably to just some gusty winds. We were lucky to find a slip available. Tied up by 7:30am, we decided to celebrate with breakfast at the Captain’s Deck.
The saying goes that the two happiest days in a boater’s life are the day they buy the boat and the day they sell it. For us it’s the day we head off from a marina and the day we return. After weeks of deprivation, Savusavu seemed like a garden of earthly delights! Restaurants, ice cream, markets (once seeming small and limited now seemed huge and bountiful), liquor stores, laundry service, long showers, internet, and new TV shows! We felt ridiculously happy to be here and continued to be so all day! Breakfast out was a treat, as was lunch at Savusavu Wok (dumplings, Mongolian chicken and beer) and finding my favorite wine in stock at the liquor store. People we knew in town seemed happy to have us back, with joyful Bulas ringing out when they’d see us. Dinner was takeout pizza, episodes of our favorite TV show, and wine. I don’t know that life gets much better than it is on arrival day!
The arrival high lasted well into the next day, but no rest for the weary as important repair projects had to be started. Rich dove right in with our top priority: researching outboard engines. We were giving up on the electric Torqeedo and going with gas. It would be the end of an era.–Cyndi
