Yasawa's Waya and Blue Lagoon

26/8/2015

We set off for Waya, hoping that the Fiji weather gods would at last play ball, and allow us to see the side everyone raves about!

Certainly the first 28 mile leg to Waya South, was an idyllic cruise. We had intended to spend the first night off Yalobi Village, but we had arrived earlier than planned, so decided to go on up to the northern bay. 

Barracuda

Approaching Waya South

 We spent a very pleasant afternoon in this attractive bay, which was a little reminiscent of Fatu Hiva (Bay of Virgins, Marqueses), but instead of the towering phallic rocks, this bay sported Madonna’s pointy boobs!

We donated a big Barracuda to the village, and asked their permission to spend the night in their beautiful bay. “Our pleasure”, they said!

Clearly, the Barracuda did not please the weather gods, for, just as the sun went down, the wind swung to the north, and quickly built to 25+Knots, putting us on a rocky lee shore. We quickly hauled anchor while there was still some daylight left, and dropped on the other side of the bay, hoping to get a little more protection, and distance from the reef.

It was a wild, sleepless, and horrid night! The short sharp fetch, and huge gusts made the boat snatch and jerk badly, despite having 50+mts of chain out in 8mts depth. At 3.00am, Mary heard the anchor break loose, and we started dragging! 

The drag and re-set captured on the anchor watch

Fortunately, we still had room behind us, so elected to unhook the bridle, and lay out another 20mts of chain, in order to get the Rocna to re-set, which it did. We still spent another 4 hours thrashing about until dawn, when the wind dropped, and the sea calmed. Nevertheless, we could not wait to get away, and find a quiet and sheltered anchorage to drop the hook, and catch up on some sleep!

This we found 12 miles further up on the west of Naviti Island, (Natuvalo Bay), where we chilled out for 2 days, and were joined by Rod & Brenda (State of Mind), who had come up from Navadra.

Once rested , we took a gap in the weather to do the next 15 miles up to the Blue Lagoon, where we intended to park off for a couple of weeks, and to await the arrival of our cruising mates, Scott Free, and Beez Neez.

We again got lucky with our fishing, and caught a nice Queenfish, plus a very nice big Spanish Mackerel (or,King Mackerel, Waloo, or Narrow banded Mackerel) These are particularly good eating, and are highly prized!

"Sheer's" cockpit suffers when we get lucky

Blue Lagoon has been super… a safe anchorage, with lots of reefs, crystal clear water, a small new resort, with a yachtie friendly Happy Hour, lovely white beaches, some walks, and plenty of turnover of yachts, planes, ferries and cruise boats.

Let the pictures tell the rest!

Nanuya Island Resort

Fiji Princess moored off its private beach with up to 140 guests

One of our neighbours "Sassafras"

Daily ferry "Ocean Dreaming" dropping off guests for the resorts

 We took a trip to a nearby resort to experience a lovo (earth oven in which the Fijians cook their hangi) and meke (traditional dancing)

Shopping for fresh fruit and veg at Blue Lagoon

Snorkeling in the crystal clear water

A final memory .......of Mary Dancing with Fish......

Musket Cove

Situated on Malolo Lai Lai,  to the south of the Mamanuca islands, this major tourist mecca for travelers to Fiji, started out as a major meeting place for cruisers. Today the  financial impact of cruising yachts is negligible, but it still serves as a great place where cruisers can get together to socialize.

The facilities are all aimed, (and priced) for fly in tourists, and include everything from kite boarding and windsurfing, through diving to sky diving! Seaplanes, helicopters and high speed catamarans bring in shed loads of lily white holiday makers, and return them in shades from scarlet to  golden brown!

Fiji’s international Nadi airport is only about 7 miles from Denarau, which, in turn, is only about 10/11miles from Musket Cove. It is only about 20 miles from Lautoka, and 15 from Vuda Point Marina, so is very conveniently located. It is only a 2-3 hour sail into Saweni Bay, and if one is lucky enough, one can catch a decent fish en route!

  There are two other resorts on Malolo Lai Lai, Plantation, and another adults only resort, a time share resort, which is part of Musket Cove, plus a number of private luxury homes. Every  foreign  registered yacht can sign in for life time membership to be able to use the facilities.($5 for the skipper, and $10 for each crew member.) Dick’s Restaurant, the Dollar Bar with barbeques, cafes, watersport services, ablution blocks, laundry and garbage disposal make all make it quite attractive when one craves a bit of luxury!

There is a steady stream of cruising yachts passing through, some of which are a bit more “flash”, and slightly bigger than ourselves!

As is the case everywhere in Fiji waters, one has to be aware of reefs , but to my mind, another less talked about danger, is the speeding power boats, dive boats, taxi boats, who feel zip about speeding in and amongst anchored yachts.

There is also a busy powered pirate ship “Whale Tale”,(with token sail), which does daily trips, bristling with punters, between Denarau, and Bounty Island/Treasure Island.  The skipper has no clue about “Rules of the Road” and

 right of way at sea. Yesterday, while we were having a great sail back, doing 7.0 -7.5 knots, on a starboard tack, the idiot skipper felt he could pass clear in front of us safely, and give his punters a little bit of excitement to boot! He was wrong, and we had to harden up 30degrees at the last moment to pass behind hind, before reverting to our course.  And clearly, we are not the only boat with whom he has played “chicken”, as we have heard a couple of yachts demanding over the VHF, that he makes his intentions clear! He is now referred to as the Whale Tale Wanker on Sheer Tenacity!

Perhaps he is a relocated South African Taxi driver?