We are currently anchored in Momi Bay for a quick passage out of the reef around Viti Levu and the beginning of our trip to New Zealand. Two other boats that we know checked out right in front of us but did not stop for the night in Momi Bay. We decided we wanted to start fresh. There is a lot of stress that goes with moving in and out of docks to check out. Do you have the right paperwork? Is the Customs Dock clear? Where is the wind coming from? Turning around in tight locations. Lots to be stressed about.
At least our voyage checklist is complete!
Add to this stress add the heartbreak of leaving our best cruising friends,
Orcinius, John and Lisa. Rumor had it that Lisa cried as she woke up. I only cried when I allowed myself to think about the pending separation which was from my first opening thoughts of the day. We did not think we would cross paths with Orcinius as we waved good-bye to them in early June but we were blessed with a fabulous month-plus as we left Fulanga. We have had a blast with John and Lisa. So lucky we are.
And then add to that the fact that Lisa made a double batch of her wonderful chicken curry and John made a double batch of his famous spaghetti sauce to stock our freezer and you might understand how wonderful our friendship has been. Oh, and did I tell you that as we tearfully pulled away Lisa remembered the chocolate chip cookies she made for us? Yep, two cookies per day for the whole trip plus a few to cheat with. Oops, she forgot to give them to us on the dock. So after we pulled away Bob pulled one of his famous “Spin Charisma on a dime moves” and got us close enough to a dock for John to toss the cookies aboard. And we just had one and they are fabulous!
So tomorrow morning, after a restful night’s sleep and relaxing breakfast we head to New Zealand again. While we can’t wait to get there we first must pay the piper and make the crossing. Please offer prayers, cross fingers and a send good vibes our way. We will be out of Internet touch other than posting the blog for the next ten or eleven days.
See you in New Zealand! Happy Halloween!
Safe travels! Will be following your blog for the next 10-11 days.
Saying “goodbye” to people you treasure is never easy.
Departing a place that has given you so many incredible adventures, experiences, and new friends, also not easy.
Sailing for 10 days from Fiji to NZ always a challenge, which equals “not easy.”
But I hope that the memories of your time there, with new friends and old, will fill your heart and make you smile — especially when you enjoy those chocolate chip cookies…….Thoughts and prayers for a safe passage.
Sounds all good to me. The stove’s bubbling, the cookies are stowed, all Halloween goblins will be left in yesterday.
May the sailing gods be beneficent. Bon voyage!
I would turn around for fresh cookies too. There’s really no chance for a happy trip if you hadn’t and knew that you could be eating a cookie while floating around in the middle of the ocean…