The other half of the world, the less explored

Sorry its been a while, we having been living the now moment and making the most of every second, the last couple of weeks have been superb and as our time in Fiji comes to a close we look forward to the adventures that await us in Vanuatu. I went for a scuba dive a couple of days ago on what is called the supermarket, it was an amazing reef dive in 10-15 meters with a heap of good sized fish, lots of reef sharks, Nemo's, clams and stunning coral. For those of you that know me well it is overcoming one of my biggest fears but more importantly I want none of my fears to be passed on to Eva so overcome it I have, I now realise what I have been missing out on, so on my Christmas list is dive gear, a whole new world and one I look forward to exploring with Eva on her 8th birthday which is when she is allowed to dive. Oh and while we are on Eva, mmmmm, tantrums a foot for the last two weeks but the last two days has seen her being her absolute angelic self so things are less challenging on the daughter front. Ok, that's about it from Fiji hope you are all well and living the dream :-)

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Amazing sailing

We left Rambi Island at 6 this morning to be greeted by 18-20 knots south easterly trade winds, considering our course is due north it makes for amazing sailing, currently doing a touch over 8 knots so the 40 mile trip wont be a long one but it is the best sailing of the trip so far and we are all loving it especially Sea Esta.
Eva is engrossed in Madagascar and after a true Eva (Karen) day yesterday but to her less challenging dad self although I expect the normal Eva is the one that will often look it me with defiance, great but not at the same time.
Ok, need to go, coffee to drink and sails to trim and all of this in 30 degrees :-)

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Cruising in company

The huge benefits of cruising in company, yesterday I snorkeled the Rainbow Reef while Lynn and John looked after Eva, and good snorkeling it was, google Rainbow Reef Somo Somo Straight and hopefully that way you can get the picture so to speak, lots of fish, great coral and a few reef sharks to top it off. Lynn and John are making things a little more normal for me and a BIG THANKS doesn't even come close to how much they are helping.
Today everyone has gone to Tavenui for an explore and with Eva not having a day sleep yesterday its normal day today so stay on the boat we are, don't want her to think the new normal is no day sleep as I really enjoy the 1-2 hour break.
A few showers today but still really warm and good to catch up on a few emails and boat choirs, bye for now.

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Fruit

Just another reason to love the tropics, fresh fruit, just sitting eating lunch with Eva and we are sharing a Papya with a squeeze of lime, it doesn't come much better, the weather is a bit unsettled at the moment, still 25 degrees but a few showers, I could think of worse places to be held up, eating out for dinner is $7-10 and its good, I can't cook for that so it has been a great chance to have a break, a few early nights and a full recharge before we head up around the top.
Savusavu is a really interesting place and there is no better introduction ticket to the locals than Eva so we are meeting and greeting and enjoying just hanging out here.
As the 11th of July approaches and naturally we remember all to readily the events of two years ago both Eva and I miss Karen like a crazy, there isn't a day that goes by that we don't miss sharing our lives with our very special mum, wife and soul mate. Eva and I are developing a connection that is beyond words, we are very much friends and now that she is able to communicate all too clearly what she does and doesn't want it is easy for us to understand each other and laugh, cry and argue, that's normal with a two year old right :-)
Ok, more please is beckoning, Eva is seriously the human garbage disposal, eat she does, and anything at that.

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Fiji

An amazing three days of sailing, it doesn't come any better, and here we are in Fiji, it is always great here and brings back many fond memories, time to relax and recharge, explore and enjoy.

We caught a mahi mahi yesterday, got it close to the boat and a far bigger fish decided our dinner was now theirs, never mind, also encountered a massive pod of dolphins that hung with us for an hour, they seemed to enjoy performing to Eva's, jump dolphin jump then clapping :-)

Eva is a gem, stubborn, pigheaded, independent, counts to ten, smart a daughter to be proud of and drive you nuts at the same time.

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Fiji

Morning all, left Tonga for Fiji at 9:30 this morning, stunning day with 10-12 knot easterly so pretty much flat off, hoisted the big dragon spinnaker at the exit of the reef and dont look like bringing it down until Savusavu, currently bang on course doing just over 6 knots.
Have also decided to use the hydrovane which basically steers to the wind on its own steam without using any power, very cool and keeps the shoot in perfect trim, ok Eva is after drink so need to fly, what are you doing right now :-)

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39

Yesterday I told Eva it is my birthday tomorrow, she said straight away candles, and then proceeded to try and blow them out, so 39 today and it starts early with a trip to the doctor to have a small incision put in Eva's very full boil, no matter how often or how prepared I am it is still the hardest thing for me to hear her cry or see her in pain, the theory of a little now so there isn't a lot later doesn't really wash with a two year old :-)
So the rest of my birthday will be clearing here and setting sail for Fiji via the northern group, it is a stunning morning here and looks like being a perfect next week with 10-12 knots s slow sailing but beautiful. I am sure I can fit in a coffee or two as well.
I've missed a few birthdays and anniversary's but i am sure you will forgive me, without internet access I don't get my reminders, Loretta, Mark & Emma, Mum and Dad to name a few so again belated but remembered.

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