Misto - Days 164-167 June 20-23 : Savusavu, Namena and Makogai

The trip from Taveuni to Savusavu on Vanua Levu island started well enough with the parasailor up and doing 5-7 knots. However half way across the wind died and swung all over the place so we had to douse the sail and motor. Fueling at the Copra Shed marina was interesting - you purchase the fuel at the local petrol station, its pumped into 50 gallon drums which are then transported to the fuel dock where its pumped aboard using a 12 v pump- with the 12 volts supplied by the boat. The marina facilitates the process and transport and the system works - a permit for a fuel pump at the dock has been applied for so the system may change in the future.

We squeezed Misto, with her 6.8m beam into a 7m wide slip and made a trip to the hardware store for the appropriate electrical plugs and hose fittings and were then able to enjoy the first electricity and piped water for quite some time. We spent most of our time doing routine maintenance on the engines, cleaning the boat and restocking provisions. However, we also enjoyed diving and snorkeling with KoroSun divers. Here in Savusavu we also found a wonderful handicrafts whop where we bought two beautifully carved kava bowls (kava is the local, slightly narcotic, drink that is embedded in the cultural traditions).

After three nights we departed early for Namena Island where there are supposed to be some good dive and snorkel spots. Unfortunately cyclone Winston devastated the island, and the resort on it, leaving only 2 mooring balls, that have probably not been maintained for some time. Of more concern was the weather and a depression that was going to cause some northerly winds. So we kept Namena as a lunch stop and pressed on to Makogai island, and anchored in Dalice Bay. This is very well protected, and although there are some coral heads its possible to anchor on the sand between them.