We are at rest tonight on a mooring at the river mouth in Savusavu, Fiji. Position: 16 46.47 S 179 19.90 E. The anchorage is charming - a few small stores along a quiet road, Fijians walking in small groups, and 30 or 40 yachts from all over the world. Mangroves line the shore and the sun has just set behind the distant volcanic peaks of Vanua Levu. And it is calm - the first peaceful day we have had since we left New Zealand. So nice to be able to write this note without having to brace my body against the pitching and rolling!
We arrived at Noon, sailing all the way to the river mouth in a southeast breeze. Our friends Bob and Ann from Charisma helped us find a mooring and Bob came over in his dinghy to take our lines and secure Ladybug. Charisma had an even rougher trip than we did and are in the middle of engine repairs (due to sea water-contaminated fuel). We will compare notes after we have checked in and can leave the boat, tomorrow. We plan to spend about a week here, exploring, cleaning up the boat, and doing a few projects that we did not complete in New Zealand.
Stats from the trip: Total nautical miles: 1300 with 1192 in the 'right' direction. Time: 11 days, less 3 hours. Average speed 5 knots. Engine hours: 22 @ < 1500 rpm (about 36 liters of diesel consumed). We motored at 3-4 knots during the calms to keep from rolling too much as well as when we left the marina in NZ and on arrival at Savusavu. We sailed with un-reefed main and jib for a few days, but most of the trip was under 2 or 3-reefed main and partially furled jib. The last few days were under furled jib only in 15-30 knot following winds.
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