Volivoli follies

 Stardate October 15, 2023

Beer and dinner last night at Volivoli.  Met some kids from Europe who were well on their way around the world in a 50 ft Dufour.  They bought it in Cypress from a charter outfit and it wasn't kitted out for blue water.  No water maker, etc.  It was clearly a coastal cruiser, but they are making the best of it.  Or maybe the worst - they spend most of their time repairing the windlass.  Now raising the anchor is pretty important on a boat and having a reliable windlass would be one of my primary concerns.  But I guess they're getting pretty good at fixing it.

Nick and I miscommunicated - I thought we were going to have dinner again at Volivoli and he went ahead and ate on his boat.  No problem, we go to the bar again.  This time we were greeted by 'Reserved' cards on every single table in the bar with chairs.  WTZ?  Turns out they had a big barbecue this evening for all the dive groups at the resort, some 37 people in all. Ok, we stood around a wooden barrel table and drank.  The kids from last night showed up; more problems with their windlass.  We snarfed on free appetizers and traded contact info.  They were leaving for Vuda area tomorrow, so we arranged to have sundowners at Vatia Wharf, half way to Lautoka.

It wasn't quite dark when Nick and I began to dinghy back to our boats.  We're up and planing along when *Blam!* the outboard hit something substantial.  The motor flew up, the dinghy slewed.  Nick exclaimed 'What was that?'  Must have been a rock.  We were just past high tide, too.  In the middle of the bay.  No damage to the motor, thank goodness.

Stardate October 16, 2023

We left Volivoli about seven am.  Tried to raise the kids on the VHF to say goodbye, but they were still asleep.  Decent wind from astern, so headsail only.