First of all, this trip is about relaxation and happiness after a very difficult few years. It’s tropical sands, fresh fruit and lazy mornings for us. Maybe.
A few days ago we sailed (motor sailed I mean) to Vuna Point, Tavenui, Fiji, to a lovely cruiser-friendly resort called Paradise Resort (free mooring if you buy something…mmm…pina colada…) We wanted to have a calm nights sleep and sit on a real toilet and one of those pool lounge chairs.
Here we met Richard from an organisation called Sea Mercy. Sea Mercy is a fleet of boats that provide healthcare to remote islands in the Pacific. In light of where we are about to go next – Vanuatu – it’s quite apt that we bumped into Richard here.
When we left Opua there was a poster in the laundry from Sea Mercy. Amongst the boat preparations, crew arriving and general petrified anxiety, I didn’t find out more.
So maybe it’s this trip, or another, but I feel like we’ve planted a seed. Even if nothing eventuates, it’s was lovely meeting Richard and his son, and to see what can happen when inner and outer worlds collide.
We’re coming back to New Zealand in November. After that?
Now, back to planning our local bus trip tomorrow to the Indian town of Labasa…sari orders anyone?
This is the dinghy off one of Sea Mercy’s fleet – Dragonfly. The skipper and his partner used to charter their boat in the Caribbean then gave that up to join Sea Mercy. This dinghy is powered by a bicycle! Actually, the motor was going too.
We also met two amazing, lovely photographers at the resort. Octavia (not pictured) goes around the world with her photography project ‘Letting Go’. In this photo, the other photographer, Kent, is showing Richard and his son how to do long exposure photography
The local primary school had slogans like this along their fence. It was Drugs, Child Abuse, Violence Against Girls & Women and HIV/Aids Awareness Week !!!!
These are no ordinary coconuts. The coconut oil from these coconuts is exported to little olde Kapiti where our friend Corrin makes her SMOOCH body products.
It’s ‘winter’ here.
Road kill. Fiji style.
Sailing is Not Scary 
Hi Janie
Did you get my letter?
I love reading your blog.
I like seeing the things the way you see them thru your photos.
Have a pina colada for me
Lxx
Liana Stupples 021 154 6034 skype: lianagale
On 30 June 2015 at 13:23, Sailing is Not Scary wrote:
> Sailing is Not Scary posted: “First of all, this trip is about > relaxation and happiness after a very difficult few years. It’s tropical > sands, fresh fruit and lazy mornings for us. Maybe. A few days ago we > sailed (motor sailed I mean) to Vuna Point, Tavenui, Fiji, to a lovely > cruis”
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Great to be back with your excellent narratives of your travels. I changed my email address so took a while to get back. Enjoy your time in Fiji.
We should be there towards the end of August then to the Solomons
All the best …Lloyd
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And you have a brilliant time in Kiwi land. We saw some toi toi’s today – got a bit homesick! Arohanui.
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Really enjoying your writing. So pleased you are relaxing and taking the time to savour your adventure . 🙂
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