We arrived in the Denarau Marina yesterday. We feel like we have been transported back to Cabo San Lucas, almost. This marina is full of large party boats that go out to the islands daily, ferries from Musket Cove, huge Captain Cook Cruise Ships, and us cruisers. We look very small next Elvis. Yes, it is true, Elvis is in Fiji and he is watching over Charisma. He is a huge power boat on the dock next to us. At least he is quiet.

The local restaurants, including Hard Rock Cafe, along the water front are in full swing with live music as I sit in the cockpit writing this. We think
Adele is in Fiji and perhaps she brought Alannah Miles, she sings Black
velvet, with her. It is Saturday night here and there are even fireworks being launched all around us.

Fiji is preparing for Diwali, the five day Festival of Lights for the Hindus and apparently light of all kinds, including fireworks, are expected. So I think people are practicing and we are entertained. The actual festival begins on November 4th…maybe to celebrate Bob’s daughter, Christine’s birthday?

Today we went to Nadi, pronounced Nandi, with Jan and Rich from Slip Away. It was so nice to have someone show us the ropes in an unknown area. they were even in their dinghy as we arrived and helped us to our slip and got us settled in! great folks! thanks!

Classic sign at the butcher store.

but back to today’s adventure! We took the little yellow bus. It is called the Bula Bus and only cost $1.35 FJ, about 70 cents. It provided a scenic tour through the upscale resorts in Nadi and made us feel like we were on a Disneyland ride. When was the last time we saw a five star resort let alone five or six of them? The west side if Fiji is very developed.

But I digress…the Bula Bus took us to the Nadi vegetable and fruit market. Joy! I never tire of stalls and stalls of lovely fresh vegetables and fruits. And mangoes are in season! Yahoo!

We also went to the best and newest grocery store, The New World. Shopping for those last few items for our passage, like pitted black olives and good crackers, was easy!

After a quick trip for shopping we returned to Charisma and got going on “the list”. You know, the final list of things to do before we go. Bob topped off the fuel and repaired a few shackles. I got busy on another batch of ginger beer and repacking the refrigerator for the incoming passage meals and cleaning some hatch seals. Nothing like a “To Do” list to take up the rest of the afternoon.

Tonight we are relaxing, we had a wonderful Italian meal at a restaurant watching the moon rise; very romantic. Bob is snoring now, in the cock pit, and I am enjoying the full moon and anticipating our upcoming trip to New Zealand. It looks like we will have a good opening next Wednesday or Thursday so stay tuned!