July 20, 2015 Blue Lagoon 2

 July 20, 2015  Blue lagoon, part 2

All in all, we spent more than 2 weeks in Blue Lagoon.  Some days hiking or snorkling.  Some days hanging out on the boat.  The weather was OK, not clear and hot but not too windy most of the time.  We had one night of rain.  I have to keep reminding myself that it is winter here.  The cruise boat came in and tied up to a cocoanut tree.  Passengers came ashore for a dinner and show.  After a couple of days they left.  Next week they were back again.  Seaplanes, helicopters, ferry boats and supply boats come and go.  Cruisers came and went.  Our little fleet broke up with the other two boats heading off in different directions while we decided to stay longer.  A number of boats from the ICA, Island Cruising Association in New Zealand arrived and anchored close to us.  New Zealand is so close that cruisers come up here for a month or two every year.  It is a different style of cruising when you are just out for a few months.  Even though there is a long and potentially rough passage involved, it is not the same as being on the way for several years. 

Work on Nanuya Resort continues , with more progress every day.  They are planning on putting in 25 mooring boys as soon as they get permission from everyone.  I expect we will find it all changed if we get back again.  One night a week they offer the traditional pig roast feast and floor show.  We were spoiled by the professional quality of dancing in The Societies and these, while charming, have a much more down home flavor.

Finally we decide that it is time to leave.  There is a reasonably good weather window to head south, back to Lautoka where we can stock up on supplies again.  Rhapsody is allowed to stay in Fiji for 18 months, with no renewal.  Her time will be up March 15 next year.  That is still within the potential for cyclones so we have decided that we will head up to Savusavu, check out of the country and go north about 250 miles to the next country, Wallis/Futuna.  We have friends who went there and they say it is charming.  Two islands owned by the French which means good bread and pastries.  Once we have checked in there we can come back to Fiji and have another 18 months before we have to leave.  This will give us time to explore the other side of Fiji before we head on, wherever our trip takes us next. If we get going now we can be back in time for the Musket Cove Regatta, early in September.