May 13, 2004 - Day 8 - arrival in Suva Harbour, Fiji

We anchor Sequoia in Suva Harbour at 10:30am, however we were are in quarantine until the inspector arrives at 1pm.  We have lunch aboard, then Craig and I deploy the Zodiac dinghy, and he goes ashore to clear customs and immigration.

It is 84°F and very hot on Sequoia's deck in the tropic sun. Barbara and I stay below in the cabin reading and resting. We discuss our plans for the next few days while we wait for Craig to return from his trials with the Fijian government bureaucracy.  It ends up taking him most of the day to obtain our clearances and permits.

May 14, 2004 - Suva

Today has been a bit of a whirlwind. First the Johnstons and I had to finish up some business at Customs. They had to see my onward airplane ticket, so Sequoia would be able to leave Fiji without me aboard. As we stepped outside the government office, there was a parade commemorating the importation of Indian sugar cane workers to Fiji 125 years ago.

Craig and Barbara walk back through the Suva Market, and purchase some produce, spices, as well as several half kilo packages of yangona (kava) roots.  These will be offered to the chiefs of the villages as the Johnstons make use of their waters when Sequoia circumnavigates Viti Levu (the biggest Fijiian island - the one Suva is located on), and some of the other nearby islands.

While Craig and Barbara are off shopping, I made contact with my Fijian family, who I have not seen since my last visit in 1975.  Through some perseverance and good luck we managed to make contact just a few days before I left home on this trip.  Epeli Naua picks me up from downtown Suva, and we have our first visit  (see Naua Fijiian Family 2004).  When they return me to the Suva Yacht Club, they come aboard Sequoia for a short visit.

Boats in the harbour today:

May 15-16, 2004 -  Beqa

We sail and motor to Beqa, the nearest island to Suva which will offer us safe anchorage and an opportunity to snorkel.  This is a real treat for me, and I take lots of underwater photos, so please browse the 2004 Beqa web page.

May 16, 2004 - Suva

After we return from Beqa today, I had planned for this to be my last day aboard Sequoia.  However we didn't arrive back in Suva harbour until 5pm, and we are invited to dinner aboard Hannakin at 6pm. I didn't want to miss the dinner with Jean and Clive, so I decide to stay aboard Sequoia for one last night.  It is great to see Jean and Clive again, and to have a tour of their sailboat.

Boats in Suva harbour this evening:

May 17, 2004 - Suva - Auckland

This morning I confirm my Air Pacific flight from Suva to Auckland, and then I have some time for one last visit with my Fijian family, since my flight doesn't depart Nausori Airport until later in the evening.

Epeli and his wife Rebecca put on a lunch for me at their house.  It is great to meet Waisle and Lavinia again. We exchange gifts before I leave - a Fijian tradition.  See Naua Fijiian Family 2004 for photos and narrative.

Both my cousin Cheryl and Craig's cousin Gail arrive within a few minutes of each other this afternoon. Gail is replacing me as crew for a couple of weeks aboard Sequoia, and Cheryl is travelling through Fiji on her way to Brisbane, Australia to visit her friend Pamela.  We all go to the Yacht Club for a nice dinner before I leave for Nausori Airport and my flight back to Auckland.

Next >>> Auckland-Warkworth

Side Trips to >>> Naua Fijiian Family 2004, 2004 Beqa, Fiji - 1975

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