22 June 2012, Vuda Point Marina, Lautoka
YAY! Arrived finally at Vuda Point Marina! It was quite hairy making our entry into the narrow little opening of the marina. It is a small, circular, purpose built cyclone-proof haven, with all boats squished in side by side like sardines in a semi circle.
I was very excited by the thought of having neighbours all around and quickly brushed my tangled hair-mat and threw a sarong on so as to not scare anyone. Firstly we were instructed to tie up to a buoy in the middle of the circle. Talk about feeling the heat. We were the midday entertainment with everyone circled around us looking at the newbies conspicuously in the middle trying to look cool while manoeuvring in this tricky little space. We managed to get settled on the centre stage buoy (me bursting with pride at my boat hooking achievements).
Within minutes were told to quickly untie and get going as another boat was needing us out of the way. Boy does Capt Ken move fast when theres a whiff of urgency. Wish I had a video of all this tension and action. My face would tell the story. Suddenly we’re heading off in a hurry, out of this friendly looking community circle, into some outer add-on space, to be berthed by ourselves, alongside a pontoon, not a neighbour in cooeee. Oh .. Bum I thought. Meanwhile poor Ken is going crazy pulling ropes out of nowhere, untying, retying, AND moving fenders AND steering AND listening and responding to the guys who are supposed to be assisting us getting into allocated position. Aargh how does he know how to do all of this? He’s an octopus and so amazing to watch. Oh Gurus, you are so missed sometimes. The whole operation is over in about 10 mins. We are safely in our new home for the next 2 nights, tied up by ourselves but actually not too far away … and Ken has long forgotten the dramatics involved. It will save much further embarrassment tho, if I learn a few knots and rope throwing techniques. So foreign for a tennis player!
Funnily he thinks we’re in the best position, far from the madding crowd, and parked right next to the sunset bar…
Highlights for this week:
– A week with Mother Nature. This is plenty for me in case I ever ask
– Snorkelling on reef of Makogai island. Fantastic to see so many fish and the giant clams around the reef 3 mins swim from our mooring. Water crystal clear, beautifully blue.
– Randomly giving gifts including stickers/pens/pencils/paper to an impressive tho needy family on semi-remote Nanana Island. Loved that they were so warm and friendly to us.
– Meeting a Kiwi family in supermarket today, in the cereal aisle, coincidentally staying on a boat at same marina. Shared taxi and stories with them. Gorgeous children who showed us where to swim in the resort next door to the marina.
– Great coffee at the Blue Ginger Cafe, downtown Lautoka. Definitely worth the trip for any Pantaloons reading this!
– Dinner tonight at the yacht club about 30 metres from Resolute’s berth, chatting with a couple who’ve spent 4 years in the Marshall Islands, helping locals build canoes, learn English and much much more.
– Finding out Han has her first full time HR job as a new grad!