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

We anchored in Suva Harbour at 10:30am, however we were in quarantine until the inspector arrived at 1pm.  We had lunch aboard, then Craig and I deployed the Zodiac dinghy, and he went 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 over the next few days while we wait for Craig to return from his trials with the Fijian government bureaucracy.

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 walked back through the Suva Market, and purchased 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 were off shopping, I made contact with my Fijiian family, who I have not seen since my last visit in 1975.  Through some perseverance and good luck we managed to connect just a few days before I left home on this trip.  Epeli Naua picked me up from downtown Suva, and we had our first visit  (see Naua Fijiian Family 2004).  When they returned me to the Suva Yacht Club, they came aboard Sequoia for a short visit.

Boats in the harbour today:

May 15-16, 2004 -  Beqa

We sailed and motored to Beqa, the nearest island to Suva which would offer us safe anchorage and an opportunity to snorkel.  This was a real treat for me, and I took lots of underwater photos, so please browse the 2004 Beqa web page.

May 16, 2004 - Suva

After we returned 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 were invited to dinner aboard Hannakin at 6pm. I didn't want to miss the dinner with Jean and Clive, so I decided to stay aboard Sequoia for one last night.  It was great to see Jean and Clive again, and to have a tour of their sailboat Hannakin.

Boats in Suva harbour when we returned:

May 17, 2004 - Suva - Auckland

This morning I confirmed my Air Pacific flight from Suva-Auckland, and then I had some time for one last visit with my Fijiian family, since my flight didn't depart Nausori Airport until later in the evening.

Epeli and his wife Rebecca put on a lunch for me at their house.  It was great to meet Waisle and Lavinia again. We exchanged gifts before I left.  See Naua Fijiian Family 2004 for photos and narrative.

Both my cousin Cheryl and Craig's cousin Gail arrived within a few minutes of each other this afternoon. Gail is replacing me as crew for a couple of weeks, and Cheryl was travelling through Fiji on her way to Brisbane, Australia to visit her friend Pamela.  We all went to the Yacht Club for a nice dinner before I had to 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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