Timshel - Onwards in Fiji

The fleet intended to separate leaving Vanua Balavu in the Lau group. 3 boats set off the day before, then on Friday we set off at first light with a group of 6 heading for the hurricane hole on Quamea island, and another 5 set off for an Atoll called Waligilala Is that was a bit nearer and looked interesting. Things are complicated as most place names seem to have 2 or 3 spellings, none of us know how to pronounce them and and many of them sound the same. In the event we had a good sail although worried rather that we might not get there in time in the good daylight required for Navigation. especially as the faster boats arriving first had decided to go on further to an anchorage in the bay at the North of the island. But we made it and Atla invited everyone over for sundowners so we quickly launched the dinghy and joined Sandvita, Taistealai, Zeeland, Aurora on Atla. We hard on the radio from the other group that the atoll was found tobe unsuitable in the conditions, the alternative further on at Matagi island was full of corral, so the 3 cats, Laura Dawn, Misto and Sumore plus Owl and Tulla Mhor joined us in the anchorage(and on Atla)just as it was getting dark. At least thay had the AIS signals from the boats already there to guide them. Next morning we found that Skylark and Lexington were well in VHF range at the north end of the next island, Taveuni. Many of the boats including us made their way down the west side Taveuni to the town of Somosomo, intent on getting Fijian money from the ATM (at last) and stores. Sundowners that night were on Tulla Mhor.