Author: Di Fitzgerald

Denarau is a world apart from the rest of Fiji – a gated community of big hotel complexes, big boats, and big business. It’s a giant beehive of tourism, with charter boats buzzing backwards and forwards ferrying guests from their swish hotels to the outer islands for a day of snorkeling and sunbathing. Every boat welcomes their guests aboard with traditional Fijian singing, accompanied by guitars and ukeleles, so the harbour resounds with the sound of music and the ubiquitous “BULA” shouted ever louder until the hosts are satisfied their guests are truly enthusiastic about their trip. It seems that not only does money talk here, it also sings and shouts. Continue reading “The Others – Denarau, Fiji”

Fiji seems to be the major interchange hub on the Pacific blue highway – throughout the year boats congregate here from across the Pacific, others come from New Zealand or Australia, but as the cyclone season nears everyone has to make the same decision – “where to next?”. And there’s plenty of choices – some decide to stay in Fiji, many go back to New Zealand or travel west to Australia, and others go north out of the cyclone zone and into Micronesia. We’ve grown accustomed to the ebb and flow of cruising relationships, but it’s never easy saying farewells, particularly when we have no idea how long it will be until the next reunion. So we don’t say goodbye…. we say ‘a bientot’, ‘see you later’, ‘until next time’ and hope our paths cross again before too long…. Continue reading “The Parting Glass – Viti Levu, Fiji”

My goodness. Isn’t life interesting? One week we’re decked out in all our finery, joyfully celebrating our son’s marriage, the next week we’re back to t-shirts and shorts at the hot and wind-less Vuda Point Marina feeling somewhat frazzled… Continue reading “The Circle – Vuda Point Marina, Viti Levu”

There are moments in life that are so profound, so exquisitely joyful, they are almost indescribable. The birth of both boys were two such times, the most recent was the marriage of our eldest son, Nick, to his beautiful bride Sally, on the beach in Palm Cove. What a perfect setting and a perfect day to witness the beginning of their married life together. It was a glorious life-affirming, love-affirming celebration surrounded by family and friends, and there was nary a dry eye in the house! Continue reading “Wedding Day – Palm Cove, Queensland”

The West side of Viti Levu is definitely the ritzy side – as we motored the short distance to the legendary Musket Cove we passed numerous sandy cays dotted around the reefs, each one occupied by an exclusive resort. It was a hive of activity with jet skies, dive boats and high-speed ferries transporting tourists hither and thither. Continue reading “Putting On The Ritz – Musket Cove, Mamanuca Islands”

One of the many joys of this life afloat are the friendships you make along the way with other cruisers. We’re all in this together, helping each other out when we can – commiserating, sharing a laugh, a beer, and information about where we’ve been or where we’re going. Sometimes the connections are brief, as we cross paths on divergent courses, other times they’re more sustained, but always they’re a pleasure and enrich our lives. Continue reading “Back Together Again – Savusavu and beyond, Fiji”