Relaxed anchoring is different

 It was obvious, but the skipper refused to believe it once again. The reef edge is much too close and the wind is pushing us in the same direction during the night, of course. The tide does the rest. So we wake up early in the morning to a scratching noise. Waking up is also a massive understatement; startled is a more accurate description. Grounding always warrants the highest level of alarm, especially when it comes to a reef. I first take in ten meters of chain as an immediate measure to move us away from the reef. At five in the morning, it is still pitch dark. On the plotter, I see that we are still too close to the edge. I shorten the chain by another ten meters. Unfortunately, the anchor no longer holds. So we weigh anchor and free ourselves from the reef. We carefully make our way through the anchorage, where God knows not everyone has their AIS switched on. As it is difficult to estimate the distances between the boats at night, we sail to the edge of the anchorage and anchor at eleven meters. Fortunately, the anchorage is sand, which holds very well.

Musket Cove Anchorage, Fiji

We are in a good spot here. It is a bit far from the marina and the dinghy dock, but it is safe and away from any reef edges. However, the excursion boats from Denerau race through here, causing a large swell that really gets on our nerves after a day. So we weigh anchor again and look for a suitable anchorage a little further inside the bay. We find a suitable spot at almost nineteen meters. To stay away from the reefs, it is necessary to anchor in deep water or use a marina buoy in Musket Cove. Even though we don't like anchoring so deep, we prefer it to mooring. With almost 80 meters of chain, we are safe here.

Sandbar in Musket Cove, Fiji

The very next day, the weather changes. A low-pressure system in the south sucks in powerful air from the west to northwest. The wind initially blows at 20 knots and increases to 28 knots during the night. In gusts, we have winds of up to 35 knots. It pulls hard on the ship and the bowline is stretched tight. We hold our position, and more importantly, the boats around us do the same. But this is not what you would call relaxed anchoring. We stay on board for the day and keep ourselves busy with cleaning. On the one hand, the safety of the boat comes first, and on the other hand, it's a wet business to take the dinghy a mile to the marina.

Malolo Island Beach, Fiji

The haunting lasts only one day, so we can explore the island the next day. We have already done so virtually via the Internet. Our attention is drawn to the 9-hole Plantation golf course. We pay it a visit and play a round of golf. We just can't help ourselves. At 40 FJD per person, the decision was an easy one. The course is very short and the greens are not really greens. They are more like fairways with flags, but that doesn't spoil our fun. We play the course twice and are happy to have golf clubs in our hands again.

Golfing again. Plantation Resort, Fiji

Malolo Lailai Island is home to three resorts. Lomani, Plantation, and Musket Cove Resort share the small island. Malolo Island, the larger island, has five more resorts. The islands are not far from Nadi International Airport on the main island of Viti Levu and are easily accessible by ferry. A supermarket at Musket Cove Resort leaves nothing to be desired, ensuring that yachts are well supplied. With a membership at the Musket Cove Yacht Club, yachties can also use the resort's facilities, including the pool.

Ice cream parlor at Plantation Resort, Fiji

After playing golf, we visit the ice cream parlor at Plantation Resort and treat ourselves to some ice cream. But the skipper is extremely thirsty, so we can't pass up the Club Island Bar, which is not far from the dinghy dock. Apparently, there have been people who have rolled out of this bar into their dinghy. At least there's always something to see there, and when you meet New Zealanders, you immediately get caught up in conversation. New Zealanders in general are very open and interested. What amazes me is that the New Zealanders you meet abroad have obviously traveled far and wide. Some of them know Europe and Germany very well, so you always have something to talk about. Time passes and hunger sets in. After I manage to convince the captain to skip the pizza and cook on board, we set off and end a beautiful day with a candlelight dinner on the Katinka Enjoy.

Candlelight dinner on the Katinka Enjoy, Fiji

To make sure we don't run out of beer, we'll probably have to move to Denarau in the next few days. Let's see what next week brings. Until then, fair winds and keep a stiff upper lip.