Savusavu

For the last week we have been enjoying Vanau Levu, Fiji’s second largest island. After an overnighter from Suva we arrived in lovely Nakama Creek home of the Copra Shed Marina. A bit of a haven for yachties, the anchorage is flat calm and the marina has moorings just minutes from the facilities. Savusavu is a quiet town, less touristy than Viti Levu, and is an interesting mix of locals, Kiwis and Aussies with holiday homes and cruisers from across the globe. We have been enjoying the slow pace of Savusavu and sunsets have been exquisite. We even celebrated the 4^th of July in Savusavu with some fellow Americans. The menu included hot dogs and potato salad, with a few exotic touches from the local market thrown in.

We had the opportunity to set off to the northern part of the island by 4 wheel drive with our fellow adventurers on Asylum. With our boats snugly moored in Savusavu, we stayed the night at Palmlea Lodge in a traditional bure (pronounced burr-a). Our hosts, Joe and Julie are ex-cruisers who have stayed in Fiji and set up an eco lodge that caters to all types of travelers. We had a dip in the pool, a lovely dinner and I was even introduced to their five day old Boer goat called Millie. As you can imagine I wanted to take her home. We do however have some new pets on Scholarship. Three small geckos hitchhiked on board via Mark's bike. They are a wonderful addition and even though we will rarely see them we know they will be hard at work eating mosquitoes and other creepy crawlies that find their way on to the boat.

Some cute kiddies on a banana stop along the roadone of the 'little rascals"my welcome lei at Palmlea Lodge The view from the lodge to the ocean Asylum's Jim and Katie Millie having her bottle In a few days we will got way off the beaten path and head counter clockwise around Vanua Levu. The third largest barrier reef in the world runs along the top of the island and the diving is said to be fantastic. Ciao for now. Liz & Mark