HELLO Fiji! June 3, 2015 - (crossing the dateline, we think that we are June 3rd, but not so sure!) -
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| Sunset on the mooring field at Copra Shed Marina |
Copra Shed Marina, Savu Savu, Vanua Levu Island, (Fiji’s North Island) A dream come true… not just the Fiji destination, but the voyage from Pago Pago to Vanua Levu. 65O miles in 69 hours, with light winds in our back and following seas. Never better… but no fish on the troll, sadly.
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| Fiji's 2 main islands. Vanua Levu to the North, Viti Levu to the South |
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| Arriving Fiji by full moon was a bit of magic! |
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| The town of Savu Savu, Nakama Creek |
Clearance procedure: All officers came on board, shuttled by the marina attendant. We later walked to town to pay our fees and collect documents... Easy peasy! BEFORE leaving American Samoa, we had sent a notice of arrival to Yachtsreport@frca.org.fj (the form can be found on the frca.org fj website and a notice of biosecurity available at www.quarantaine.gov.fj . We were in good standing!
- Health (172.5O Fj) Fijian 1$ = US$ O.48
- Environment and Biosecurity (89.7O Fj)
- customs gave the boat an 18 month clearance (free)
- immigration stamped our passports for 6 months (free)
- The marina charged us a bit for organizing all this
*Clearing fee $15 Fj
* Cruising permit $8 Fj
and even got us an introduction letter necessary to visit the Nabavatu plantation on Vanua Balavu.
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| Staging field for Fiji cruisers |
For once, we grabbed a mooring ($13.25 Fj per day). This was by far the easiest clearing in we’ve ever done, thanks to the efficiency of the staff at Copra Shed Marina. http://www.coprashed.com
When cruising Fiji, there are a few essentials to dispense with.
- The coastal cruising permit issued by Customs (free
- Attend the Sunday cruising seminar by Curly who gives cruisers a 3-hour crash course on Fiji weather, customs, and destinations.
- Obtain proper attire for attending the Sevu Sevu (AKA Kava ceremony), meaning a long skirt and short sleeves blouse for women, and a Sulu (long skirt) for men.
- Load the boat with enough Yangona (kava roo} to present to every village on the cruising list.
- Stock items to trade against fruits and vegetables in the villages. Items of choice are sandals, T-shirts, pens and pencils and notebooks for the schools, toothpaste and toothbrushes for the kids, flour, sugar, rice, fabric, thread, sewing kits… and, if you like, cookies and candy for the kids.
- At last, stock as much fresh produce as possible since there is virtually no fresh supply in the islands.
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| Mala gives me a crash course in Indian cooking |
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| Fresh veggies every day |
Savu Savu, the main town in Vanua Levu, is rich in Indian culture. Soon, I met Mala, a very enterprising young woman who took me shopping at the produce market, then returned to DOMINO to teach me the basics of Indian cooking. In no time I had down a basic Curry, a Chutney, simple fresh veggies… yum! All on DOMINO's cooking blog
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| Eggplant curry, tomato chutney, sauteed Bok Choy, rice... in no time! |
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| Jackfruit curry |
We did indulge in a lovely dinner at the marina’s restaurant (curry and more curry} while the regular happy hour crowd enjoy their daily quota of delicious Fijian beer. It’s good to be cruising in group again. There is quite an active cruising community, a healthy exchange of waypoints and destinations. The Copra Shed Marina is the staging point of cruising the North Island of Vanua Levu and if we are to judge by the comings and goings on the mooring field, we’re going to have a great time here. Now we’re off to our 1st stop, Fawn Harbor, in search of a hurricane hole for the season.
Until then…
dominomarie