Savusavu,Fiji

We arrrived in Savusavu this morning after a 130 NM overnight run from Suva. Some more photos of Suva and some new ones from here soon.

Suva, Fiji

Eating lunch, Suva

The view from the Fiji museum. The clock is correct twice a day

Dude in a dress with a rifle guarding a government building. Not sure from what

Parliament building, Suva

Suva prison across the street from the Royal Suva Yacht club

entering the reef into Suva, Fiji on a wet and windy morning
Terry Young
Yours truly, rigging the port side pole

We have been in Suva for the past week and it lives up to its reputation of being a noisy, bustling place. The weather has been quite poor with rain at times in biblical quantities. We have, in fact had only one clear day this week. The paper work to clear in was quite easy but every time we visit a different area in Fiji we have to go and see customs again. Fortunately, they were not too efficient and left the booze locker alone. Tea and banana bread distracted them without problem. We have spent some time with Stuart and Sheila from Imagine and we have enjoyed their company. Terry left on the 26th for Nadi and then LA. He did exceptionally well on his first offshore experience and will be welcome to join us again should he so choose. He certainly took to the cruising life like a duck to water if you will pardon the awful metaphor.
The Suva markets were great, quite reminiscent of those in Mexico. We got nailed by the infamous Suva sword peddlers to the tune of $20 but all in all Fiji is pretty inexpensive. Often it is cheaper to eat in restaurants than cook for ourselves.
Josette arrived from San Diego also on the 26th after an uneventful trip and it looking forward to visiting some of the outer islands.
We will probably leave Suva on Sunday for Savusavu which promises to be much more remote and exotic.

22 May, 2011

We arrived in Suva, Fiji on Friday at about 1000H.
We covered 1120 nautical miles in 6 days and 22
hours for an average speed of 6.75 knots. We had
every kind of weather possible from no wind for a
few hours to 25- 30 kts of wind from  every direction.
We had strong head winds for 10 hours which was
quite uncomfortable but for the rest of the voyage
we made quite good progress and the  last 36 hours
was with the wind behind us at less than 20 knots
which allowed a very comfortable ride into Suva.
The crew did fine except for the first 12 hours which
were quite rough and the was some mal de mer for
myself and Terry. The admiral was the only one to keep 
her food down for the entire trip! We went though
a large convergence zone and didn't see much sun for
the last 4 days of the trip in fact it rained almost 
continuously during that time and we kept the back
curtain enclosing the cockpit for the entire time to
keep us dry. There was a full moon but we didn't
see much of it due to the heavy cloud cover. There
were no boat malfunctions and apart from some attention
required to the domestic fresh water pump and the outboard 
motors for the dinghy all is well mechanically. We are
anchored up outside the Royal Suva Yacht Club
and for a fee they arranged the arrival of customs and
immigration who showed up some hours later. They  weren't
too interested in looking around the boat which
was fortunate considering the booze locker was probably
over the limit.We spent the day wandering around Suva and
doing chores waiting for the weather to clear up. The
internet is pretty poor and will do an update with photos
when I can. 

19th May, 2011

we had a long and difficult night crossing a low
pressure trough in a convergence zone south of Fiji
and had to fight with 25-30 kts headwinds for about
10 hours. During that time I think that we made only
12 miles and the was a lot of slamming and banging
into 12 foot seas. At 0300H the wind abruptly 
changed direction again and we have a nice stong
southeasterly to take us into Suva, Fiji. If this hold
up we should be in tomorrow morning sometime.
We have  190 miles to go and we are on the home stretch.
Crew is well and the Admiral slept through most
of last night's annoyances. Callisto's position at
0630 on May 19, local time is 21 20 S,178 08 E.
speed is  7.5 kts on a course of 357M. wind is
20 kts from the SE

18th May, 2011

At 0600H May 18, local time we are at 23 25S, 177 47E
pushing north to Fiji. We have had some breezy
condition due to a low pressure trough and have had
to slow down to to avoid some head winds but we are
now moving along again. Current conditions are gray
skies with occasional rain with wind to 20 kts with
gusts to 25. We are making 7.5 kts on a course of
350 M under reefed genoa and mizzen.We have a mere
317 miles to go and conditions should be much more
settled in 12 hours or so. Should be in Fiji by Friday.  

17th May 2011

Position report for Callisto on Tuesday, May 17,2011
@ 0615H LT We are now at 25 39.16S, 177 66.6E and
making good progress on a course of 358M at 8.0 kts.
Last night was cloudy with occasional rain and the
same looks true today. We made a respectable 189 miles
during our last 24 hour run but today's should be less
as yesterday was a little slow. Wind speed is 16 kts
from the SE. Crew is all well with 644 miles made and
450 to go. We are within 10 miles of another Amel called
Kilkea and have been for most of this trip.
Nice to have the company. 

Monday 16th, May

We are all well aboard and we are making good progress
toward Fiji with about 190 miles made for the past 24
hours. We have less than 600 miles to and should get in
on Friday local time.
Current position is 28 03 S, 177 36E
We are on course of 350 M at 7.5 kts.
Wind speed 15 kts from the SW. 

Sunday 15th May

The day was quiet yesterday and we had to motorsail
from 1000Huntil about 1800H and then the wind began
to build to 20 knots again and we were sailing once 
more. We are only about 45degrees off the wind and
the ride has been a little  bumpy. The weather is
already warmer and I hope will continue to do
so. We all have our sea legs now and enjoyed a
dinner of pasta and sauce last night. We  expect 20
knots of wind for the next 36 hours at least and it
should back to the west and then south west giving
us a down wind ride which will be more comfortable.
Position at 0600H May 15
local time is 31 08S, 176 02E
Speed 7.2 kts course 19  M,
wind speed 22kts direction NW.
Next report this time am

Saturday 14th May

We are doing much better. Winds are less and the
seas have got quieter.
Current  position is 33 10S, 174 43E
Speed 6.5 kts under full sail
Course 357 M Wind is  13 kts from the NW
Sea state still lumpy but less.
Still cold but that will  change soon

Friday 13th May

News from Callisto:

We are at sea again after many months and it looks
like I've lost my sea legs. Terry and I lost our
lunches and the only one who remains well!
Sea is very confused and lumpy.
Position at 0905H UMT is 34 23S 174 28E
course 356 speed 7.0 kts.
wind is 20 kts from the NW
57 miles run 1047 to go

Opua, New Zealand

We are playing the weather waiting game. Many boats left on Saturday and Sunday and are now getting bashed up by two frontal systems that are moving through northern New Zealand right now. It's blowing 25 kts from the north in the marina as we speak and raining hard so I'm not going any where for a day or two.
Monday was a beautiful day and we rented a car and did some more provisioning and took the Admiral for her Mother's day Spa experience, which I'm told she enjoyed and that she is still feeling relaxed. We took a ride over to KeriKeri and had lunch and picked up our new crew Terry from Pahia. He had a long journey from southern California and he is looking forward to going to sea and getting to Fiji, as am I.
The weather is looking good now for Friday morning and even though it's a Friday and the 13th we are going any way. I leave you with some photos of Opua and our ride up to here.

leaving Whangarei at last

Whangarei in the morning fog
Town Dock, Russell
Cape Brett pronounced Cape Britt in new Zealandese

Bay of Islands
Haruru Falls, Pahia
Opua Marina

Downtown Russell

Pleasant anchorage at Whangamumu, old whaling station and waterfall

Anchorage at Tutukaka

Opua, New Zealand

We are safely berthed in the marina in Opua after a pleasant and calm trip up the coast and into the Bay of Islands. We had dinner with many of our old friends from Tahiti and Tonga and we made some new ones.
Many boats are leaving for Fiji today and tomorrow but we will wait for Terry on Monday and keep our eyes glued to the forecast for the next weather window north.
I'm ready for some warm weather!

Tutukaka, New Zealand

We finally broke free of the dock in Whangarei and we are anchored up in the harbor in Tutukaka. The weather wasn't so good with 15 kt headwinds and squally thunder showers. The anchorage is a little rolly but it's good to be out of the marina at last.
Next stop Whangamumu and then Opua by Friday