Getting Ready to Leave Fiji...

After 6 wonderful months in Fiji, it is time for us to move on.  We have many sweet memories and have met some incredible people.  

Shelley chatting with our youngest daughter, Kelly

Shelley has recovered really well from her surgery.  We hope now to recover some of the costs for this through our home healthcare plan at home...  The important thing is that she is way happier and healthier than she has been.

Over the last few weeks many of the cruising boats have been scattering in every direction.  Cyclone season officially begins on November 1st, so most people have left for safer waters.  That means we have had some bitter/sweet gatherings as we say farewell to some and see you later to others..

We departed from Saweni Bay a few days ago.  On our way we landed a small tuna and a good sized Mahi Mahi...  The Mahi Mahi DESTROYED our lure!

We have traveled about 120 miles to meet a family from California who own the same model sailboat that we own.  There were only 45 Dufour 12000ct sailboats ever made.  They own hull #4 and we own hull #43.  We have only met one other family with the same boat.  We met Lucy & John from SV Maraki (hull #44) in Panama two years ago in Panama.  

Bubbles & Terrapin - Together....

SV Terrapin is crewed by Phil and Aimee and their two daughters Jessica & Emma.  They crossed the pacific this year and just arrived from Tonga.

We are checking out tomorrow morning from Savusavu, located on the northern most Fijian island called Vanua Levu.  We plan to sail 500 nautical miles to Wallis Island (a French territory).  From there we are hoping to visit Tuvalu, The Gilbert Islands, then end up in the Marshall Islands to stay during cyclone season.  

These island have some of the most spectacular scuba diving in the Pacific Ocean. Many of the bays are littered with wrecked WW2 equipment.... Ships, Airplanes, and all sorts of military hardware from both allied and enemy army's...  It should be AWESOME!

More soon!