Voyage of the Good Ship Westward

Sunday morning at Wakaya

A Friday afternoon run from Suva (and a delicate, moonlit entry through an unmarked pass) brought us into the lagoon of Wakaya Island and anchorage off the tres-exclusive Wakaya Club (per image below, taken from Sybaris).  Saturday morning we were invited ashore to see Sybaris—-For Sale, as described in our last update.  For too many reasons to cite here, Sybaris is not a contender for our investment or recreation dollars!  But the home & this exclusive island were most interesting to see. 

Our reception was polite, somewhat formal & perhaps a tad patronizing (what know these sorts of classic yachts & seafaring?).  We toured the Wakaya “campus” by car, but were not encouraged out & didn’t see “The Club”—-toooo exclusive for that!  Interestingly, it is apparently expected that prospective homeowners make their investment and then apply for membership in “The Club”—-the only game on the island; good luck with that!

After little more than an hour-and-a-half, we were ushered back to our voyage-weary inflatable (the wanderer of Suwarrow) and sent on our way.  We were welcomed to remain in the island’s northern anchorage but reminded that the island is “strictly” private—-per abundant signage; we would not be welcome ashore again.

As we must be in Levuka tomorrow, a mere four leagues distant* to collect (hopefully) the remaining 3rd piece of luggage still missing from our Monday flight, we’ve elected to spend the week-end here: basking in the rich glow of the Wakaya Club, kayaking, sailing & diving the islands perimeter, and poaching (like modern-day pirates) on their ample & unsecured wireless signal!

After a whistle-stop at Levuka we’re off to northern, then western out-islands of Fiji . . . . somewhat in haste with the cyclone season approaching.

All’s well aboard,
Westward

*[please excuse the pretentious usage of this antique nautical measure (1 league=~3 nautical miles); I'm currently rereading Men Against the Sea in anticipation of following the good Captain Bligh's remarkable journey through these waters and those of Vanuatu.]

Suva, Fiji, October 25, 2007:

Our time at home can aptly be described a whirlwind: four weeks for Teresa included separate east coast & mjd-west trips, two weeks for Hugh filled to overflowing with meetings, appointments & parts runs, etc. . . . . barely time to connect with family!  Westward cared for in our absence by John & Marley—–unjustly rumored to have spent the time drinking beer on the back-deck, singin’ John Pryne songs together.

Our return to Suva (via LAX & Nadi) yesterday was a typical 21st century travel adventure—–delayed flights, noisome security, full aircraft, minimal nourishment, lost bags (3 of 4!) and emerging colds—-these surely consequent of 11 hours confined in that high-altitude petri-dish!  Does it get any better than that?  Far better to come by sea!!

We found Westward well at her accustomed Suva anchorage (per photo below), ship & hands all ready & eager to resume this odyssey.  We’re now cleared from Suva and hopeful to be underway this evening, subject only to receipt of our three wayward bags—-currently enroute Auckland/Nadi and promised here late afternoon.

Our first stop will be Wakaya Island (www.wakaya.com), self-described as “the world’s most exclusive island”, our access is provided by a pretense of interest in a rather fancy retreat for sale thereon (www.sybarisfiji.com). Wakaya should be fun to see, and hopefully to linger, but unlikely tempting (if only because Sybaris’ acquisition would require serial overnight-flights in future!).  From Wakaya we’ll clear in/out of Levuka then meander, anti-clockwise, around Viti Levu in search of culturally remote Fijian islands before exploring popular destinations in the Yasawa & Mamanuca island groups, to the west of Viti Levu.

Mid-November will see us again underway, westward, for Port Vila & the surrounding islands of Vanuatu (or New Hebrides, depending upon the edition of your atlas).  The remaining weeks of the year to take Westward to Honiara & the Solomon Islands—-where Pacific Catalyst veterans, Frank Converse & Beth Johnson, together with Spencer Reilly, will join us for a crossing, northward across the Equator, to Phonpei in the Federated States of Micronesia—–well clear of the southern cyclone season and suitable for leaving Westward (in the capable hands of Frank, Beth & John) for a flight to Kauai for the holidays and a longer respite home in Seattle in the New Year.

Eager to break the shackles of Fiji’s capital and return to our meandering, all’s well aboard

Westward