Malolo LaiLai, Mamanuca Islands

Bula From Chloe and I

Chloe has been here for a couple weeks now and it has been a pleasure. We spent the first week at the marina as I had a couple boat repairs to sort out, this could have been simple and costly or complicated and relatively inexpensive, I am obliged to the latter. My throttle cable had to be replaced as well as a diesel transfer pump, easily bought for $125 and "around" $1000 respectively from Jackie Chandelery that caters to yachties. I was sure I could find these parts cheaper even if I brought them in from North America, google quickly confirmed this, but I didn't want to wait that long so it was off to Lautoka Town on the bus, after two days of bus rides between Lautoka and Nadi we managed to find a used throttle cable for $50 at a shop in Lautoka, and a new pump for $160 from a diesel service shop in Nadi. At first the cable was offered to us for $180 from the nosy scamming muppet who owned the shop next to the cable store and figured I was a sucker, I laughed at him, told him what it was worth new and walked out, luckily he had the gall to steal his neighbours business card and write his number on the back of it. I called the owner the next day who apologized about the other dude and offered to meet me and sell the cable for $80, we settled on $50, which, with exchange is about what it would cost new in North Ameica, good enough.

After I got the parts installed we had a few relaxing days at the marina, half price pizza night is a treat as well as live music on Sundays. We are now on Malolo Lailai Island wich is about 14NM from the marina, perfect for a day sail, about 3 hours, or 6 if you are beating into the wind, of course we were, and will probably be on the way back when we go to pick up Cameron. I forget how pleasent it is to sail with someone, Chloe is helpfull and never complains, we had a great sail over but haven't been able to do much since because the wind has been strong and relentless. She is perfectly content to kick my ass at crib, first tournament 7-4, skunked me once, current one 2-0 for the young and beautiful.

I should explain briefly my small green travelling companion, on my sail over to Malolo before Chloe arrived I was surprised by the biggest praying mantis I have seen yet when I removed my sail cover. She checked out a winch then perched on top of my dodger, once we were underway but not until after the sails were up she made her way up the mast, posted herself on the spreaders where she kept a vigilant watch until we arrived and left me to be alone once again.

More adventures and pictures to come soon, I hope you enjoy, as always love to hear from you!

Chloe and I