Anchored just south of the heart-shaped island of Tavarua, within dinghy distance of the renown surf spots of Cloudbreak, Restaurants and Tavy Rights. Last evening, we had the pleasure of a striking orangey pink sunset and in the foreground of our visual, the silhouette of the spectator stands. In spite of the swell abeam, not a bad anchorage at all....added benefit is hearing the surf day and night....

Time for an update because we've been in Fiji awhile.

Staying protected from the gusting westerlies in this very civilized bay.

Time for an update!

We've been hanging around Noumea and Ilot Maitre since arriving in New Cal but with no wind forecasted for kiting, we're motoring around exploring anchorages we've not previously visited. Ilot Charron is surrounded by healthy coral, which is surprising given the lack of water clarity. Simply a lovely anchorage.

Even on this leeward side of Ilot Maitre, we have a bit of swell. Surprisingly, only 3 boats are here even though it's a 3 day holiday weekend. Must be because rain is forecasted but wind too, so the kites will be out....

Enjoyed Coffs Harbour the first of April and have enjoyed Southport since mid April. Starting to get cold here in Australia's early winter so it's time to head to the warmer clime of New Cal in a few days.

Enjoying uninhabited Fame Cove with four other boats. We watched a solo pelican fishing off the eastern shore last night while dolphins swam around our perimeter. This morning, kookaburras laughed us awake, crows and magpies joined in and we tuned into a unique orchestra of birdsong. Lovely, lovely...

Enjoying seeing the white sands of Jervis Bay.

Anchored in front of Taronga Zoo so awoke to animal calls we cannot identify. Sydney's handsome skyline, including the iconic Opera House, just off our starboard bow. How lucky are we to have this view!

Sydney's forecast is for hot, hot temperatures today. Beaches will be full of those wanting to cool off in the water. We will be joining in...

Rapid trip from New Cal to Aus with 20+ winds for the last 3 hours before Roxanne surfed into Coffs yesterday. What a nice ride!

Enjoying a few days of kiting here at Ilot Maitre for the crew of Roxanne.

Anchored outside Port du Sud in Noumea. Completed arrival formalities 2 days ago after a light wind 1.5 day trip from Port Vila.

Returned here to do a bit more kite-flying learning for one crew and a bit more kiting for another. Doesn't hurt to do it in such a stunning anchorage either.

Back in Vila to provision.

Upped the hook yesterday to return to this spot in front of Kakula, where we spent several weeks last year. Lovely white sand spit in front of us, a peaked volcanic island in back of it and off our right shoulder, the lush green panorama of Efate. Took the dinghy ashore at 6 am, thumbed a ride on a bus and 45 minutes later, we were in Vila with empty shopping bags. Another two hours later, our bags were full and we were thumbing a ride on another bus back to the dock where we left the dingy. We arrived back at the boat in time to enjoy the wares of our shopping trip for lunch....

Anchored in 20 feet of sand/grass in this every-way-you-look-it's-stunning area. How lucky we are to be back here!

Anchored in 20 feet of white sand. Lined with mangroves, Crab Bay is aptly named because there are, indeed, crabs here. Green turtles too, despite the reef being mostly dead. This AM, a local paddled over with a gift of mangoes, which we reciprocated with 4 seed packets, new children's sandals and "rope for cow."

Anchored in 18 feet of white sand. Off both port and starboard, green turtles pop up their heads every 10 minutes, get a gulp of air and take a peek before diving for more food. Such a nice place to clean Roxanne's hull which we did over a two day period. Should get another knot of speed out of her now!

Motorsailed to this anchorage and dropped hook in 35 feet of white sand (again). The panorama here in Port Olry is hard to beat. Thion, the island just east is a flat topped plateau (escarpment) covered in green foliage which stretches out to a white sand spit. Lorikeets squawk in the trees, swallows dip in and out of the tree canopy and in the late afternoon, fruit bats circle over the escarpment and the anchorage. At low tide, one could walk from the sand spit to the next island and onto the mainland...The view to the mainland is equally impressive--a coconut plantation south of the river and silhouetting behind, a high ridge of solid green ascends with a low, flat escarpment in front. Walked the beach in front of Port Olry--barefoot, uniformed kids in the school were frolicking outside at recess alongside cows munching on the school grounds' offering. As we headed south on the beach, we met welcoming locals shoving dugouts into the surf to fish, other locals filling gunny-sacks for cement--making and women sweeping their houses which are located just above high tide. Accommodation bungalows are located further south and in front of them, tourists occupied the hammocks while their kids dove in and out of incoming waves. After completing our shore exploration, we got back in the dinghy and headed back to Roxanne. On the way, we encountered a local in a dugout so offered him and his canoe a ride, which, of course, he agreed to. We gave him our tow line and drug him to where he was meeting his mates on Thion. After we arrived at his drop-off point, he gave us a huge smile and a "Thank you tumas!" as well! Spent 3 short days here before continuing on to Luganville.

White sand with a few bombies below us--anchored in 22 feet just south of a plug of limestone covered in foliage. Fine, pinkish sand ashore, decent coral surrounding the coasts and no other boats in sight. Villagers from the ridge enter the area one afternoon, spend the night in the caves ashore and the next day, we venture ashore and meet the group--a couple, their 1 year old son, three pre-teen nephews and one niece and seven, yes, seven dogs. They welcome us to their bay, which they come into once a month for "holiday." Each night, dolphins come into the bay around sunset but are shy and stand off. We'll easily be here a few days!

No other boats in this bay--we're here to take bird tour with local Matantas village guide in the Vatthe conservation area. Black sand beach, laughing kids running on shore and diving in fresh water of river that feeds into bay.

Anchored in 30' of sand between two small islands. Moved to this stunning anchorage this AM and even though we followed waypoints closely, on the way in, we found the reef! Fortunately, we were pulled off by helpful cruisers in their dinghies as tide rose higher so spent only a short time stuck and fretting. With so many cruisers assisting, moments like this reaffirm the grace of this community. Less than an hour later, another boat transited the same area and like us, they also found the reef! Having just gone through the drill, we were able to assist them with our dinghy to safety. While the excitement was happening, locals in dugouts paddled by and when it was all over, returned to us at anchor offering smiles, fresh papayas and a request for us to join them in their village tomorrow. Of course, we said, "Yes!"

Time for an update! Anchored in 24 feet of sand/coral with a fine golden sand beach--perplexing why no other boats are here. Snorkeled yesterday and discovered a surprising variety of coral and reef fish surrounding the boat with healthy-looking reef both north and south.

Sailed up from Coffs on overnight--wind from astern made for a tiring trip of gybes and because the coast is shallow, romping seas. Good thing Roxanne handles big waves so well!

Current wind direction 180 at less than 8 knots. Seas calm.

13 knots of SW wind. Flat calm in anchorage. Overcast and chilly--time to head north.

Anchored in Manly last night but moved near Balmoral this AM to get out of today's southerly. Wind abated this PM and though we're rocking in swell, this harbor is also spectacular.

Flat calm seas with full sun and 2 knots of NE wind. Arrived in Australia a month ago--checked into Coffs Harbour with efficient ease and stayed in same slip in the very friendly marina for the duration of our Coffs stay. Really enjoyed touring the area via land. Sailed south to Broken Bay where we are currently at anchor in Pittwater. Off to Sydney tomorrow...

At anchor with heavy rain, limited visibility, slight swell and 15-20 knots of SE wind starting last night and continuing this morning. With the forecast to Aus not favorable until next week, we departed marina yesterday to enjoy NZ's late summer but it's not summer here this morning! Should clear this afternoon when we'll venture out via paddleboard or dinghy.

Sunny, warm bordering on hot day in Northland NZ. Tucked into Opua marina for boat work. Following completion of boat work, wait for wind and then, off to Aus.

Anchored in scenic Jacks Bay in Bay of Islands. Wind has clocked in last 24 with speeds from 4 knots to 17 knots. Heaps of live oysters ashore along with oyster shells. Paddleboarded this AM around adjacent bays, left boards on beach and hiked ashore to get a feel for the neighborhood. Simply lovely.

Anchored on this eastern side of Waiheke with our son Jack and his girl Canon to relax on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Lovely view of Pohutakawas blossoming on shore and numerous sheep with the accompanying sheet bleets. Wind is 15 knots from the SW with occasional clouds and fortunately no rain! Merry Christmas to all.

Arrived in Opua earlier this month and have been working on boat projects. Looking to sail south to Auckland soon.

Wind from SE at 17 knots--kiteboarding conditions. Anchored west of Pele where it appears wind funnels through surrounding islands. Went ashore yesterday and was presented with fresh drinking coconuts & papaya, courtesy of the locals.

Arrived in Vanuatu a week ago after relaxed, enjoyable downwind sail from Fiji. Love being back in Vanuatu. Ni-Vans are kind, smiling, warm folks. Sailed north to Havana Harbor and then back to Vila in the last week. On the return, we had a double hook-up of tuna but since we don't eat bonito/skipjack tuna, we threw them back. This is the kind of fishing we remember!

Arrived in Denarau Marina on Fiji's east coast two days ago and have been flat out giving Roxanne and crew the attention we all deserve. The boat is clean and provisioned while the crew has been enjoying the fruits of being ashore--laundry, restaurants and catching up with other cruisers.

Anchored for the night to stage crossing to marina in Nadi.

Anchored.

light wind dead astern. so we are motoring

no problem with radio today. It has the habit of going to high power - unrequested

Steady wind slowly clocking form W to S. Fiji or Tonga still to be determined.

on passage to Suva Fiji - I think that is the correct destination but their radio transmission is very distorted. Strong but hard to understand.

Departing Opua tomorrow for warmer climes.