Fiji is beautiful with stunning anchorages and epic diving spots, warm and friendly people with a ready “Bula” greeting and consistent warm weather.

“Fiji Water”

We decided to pull the boat out in Fiji for some urgent repairs and fly back to Melbourne for a few days to visit family and friends. Our encounter with a reef had in fact created some damage to our keel which needed to be fixed and our sails needed repair after one too many squalls. Our leaking water heater and galley faucet needed to be fixed and the radar needed some new cables.

Matilda on “the hard”

Arriving in Melbourne we experienced cold weather for the first time in 7 months. Coats and beanies, gloves and boots were all purchased and are now taking up some space back here on the boat. It was a lovely trip to Melbourne thanks to the kindness of family and friends.

Melbourne skyline and tram

My Dad is very interested in our journey and Matt chatted with him for hours whilst important appointments were attended to by the now glamorous first person. Dinners, lunches and morning tea with family and friends provided us with a good amount of encouragement to keep us energized for the next part of our adventure. The Melbourne Sports Center has an amazing pool that provided great swim workouts during the quick visit.

The Botanical Gardens light show was a highlight and just the right amount of cold and rain to make it quite ok to return to Fiji.

Tulips at the Melbourne Botanical Gardens

Returning to Fiji provided some panicked days when the marina was unable to “splash” us back into the water due to a broken travel lift (the crane that lifts the boat). Miraculously, at the last minute, the broken cable was fixed and we were were splashed. Our schedule has us leaving Musket Cove, Fiji tomorrow with the fleet heading for Vanuatu (used to be known as New Hebrides) and then Mackay, Australia.

Cloud 9

A final day in paradise was spent at Cloud 9 a ridiculously fun restaurant/bar over the water providing the perfect send-off from Fiji.

Mandatory jump off Cloud 9

We are now Australia bound ……….