We spent the last 2 nights anchored in the idyllic bay formed by Navadra and Vanua Levu islands in the Sacred Islands of the Mamanutha-i-Ra Group, the northernmost of the Mamanucas. Yesterday we snorkeled on the ocean side of the cut between the two islands where we saw pristine plate corals of many colors and lagoon side off the western Vanua Levu beach which revealed interesting coral covered rock canyons. Today we had a great beach walk where we saw a sacred cave, tiny skinks, big spiders, and skittish blue heron-like shore birds. Tomorrow we cross over to Waya, the southernmost and highest island in the Yasawa Islands, a group we visited on our honeymoon in 1990.

We had a lovely sail today from Yanuca Island in the Beqa lagoon to Yanuca Island in Cuvu (or Thuvu on some charts) Harbour on the southern Coral Coast of Viti Levu. So we sailed all day and got nowhere. :) John caught a nice mahi mahi about an hour before we arrived - our first fish in a very long time. We watched the tourist bustle at the Shangri-La Resort as we had our sundowners and were thankful we're at peace on our very own boat.

Departed Suva, Fiji Wednesday morning for a lovely day sail to beautiful Yanuca Island in the Beqa lagoon. We had 2 nice days of snorkeling and will head west toward Musket Cove in the morning.

Arrived yesterday afternoon at South Minerva Reef after a slow but pleasant passage from NZ. Getting the underwater camera gear ready for snorkeling. Lots of batteries to charge!

At anchor at Urquharts Bay. Completed engine kill switch replacement this morning.

Working on instrument gremlins.