I flew to Musket Cove last Thursday to set up the arrival arrangements for the Rally. Sadly, we organisers can’t enjoy the sailing, but I was able to look down over Bligh Water and the area being sailed through by our yachts - lots of coral and tiny islands and a very blue sea. The second stage of my journey was by an 8-seater Islander aircraft over to the airstrip on Malololailai Island where Musket Cove is located. Real flying, with the pilot flying manually the whole way (only 10 minutes from takeoff to landing!) from the international airport onto our gravel strip here.

For the Rally crews it has been a 3 or 4 day cruise, sadly with some mixed weather.  But that hasn’t spoilt the experience as many have had the chance to anchor in isolated anchorages “off the beaten track.” Several of our crews anchored overnight off Makingai, a local village where they were given a typical Fijian welcome and were able to practise their Sevusevu (welcome ceremonial) with gifts of kava. I’m told they enjoyed the kava drinking experience – well almost, anyway!

Musket Cove – a great place to chill out.

Our friendship with Musket cove goes back 12 years and it was great to arrive and be greeted by so many familiar faces. Owner Dick Smith, himself a world sailor, has created a yacht-friendly resort (not so common around the world as you would think) which combines the best of yacht facilities with those of a sophisticated resort.

Our arrangements here remain year on year and our berthing stern-to in the marina has been pre-booked for many months. I went to the marina office and found, as expected, the efficient staff had allocated each yacht their promised slot on the pontoons with power and water only a few yards from the 4 Dollar (Fii Dollar!) island bar. At the end of the pontoon gangway is the marina office building and others housing the laundry, showers, rally office, shop, café, diving and watersports centre. There’s a whitesand beach, behind which there’s the excellent restaurant and 2 (yes,2) swimming pools.  A huge contrast with the simplicity of Savu Savu, but that’s what makes our Blue Water Rally experience in Fiji so enjoyable.

What news so far?

As I write the pontoons are crowded with Blue Water yachts, all with battleflags flying and some crews catching up with their make and mend. There appears to be a golfing group developing, too. I watched 5 of the skippers set off this morning on the catamaran ferry to the mainland to play a round. There is also a 9 hole course here on the island (aka the Royal Malolo) which may well attract a few Ralliers in the coming days.

We have already said goodbye to Fine Fleur and Canopus who are due to arrive early in Australia to meet families. I am now waiting for Rascal, Anahi, Lousill and Zipadedoda to arrive this today (Monday) and I’ve just heard that Stargazer and Moonshadow have found a rather nice resort to stay in overnight before arriving tomorrow. That means all those Rally yachts cruising Fiji will then be here as.planned.

A Nice Relaxed Programme….

We have a nice relaxed programme here. With plenty of free resort activities for our crews during the day, we have only a few evening events planned. Last night most of us gathered at the 4 Dollar bar for sundowners and the Sunday barbecue. One of the yacht- friendly facilities the resort provides are barbecues built at the bar which are lit by the resort staff each night and one can buy packs of meat and salads ready prepared for one to cook oneself. Awindy and cool night, but a very enjoyable gathering.

Tonight Musket Cove have very kindly offered us a Welcome Cocktail and afterwards we’ll all be going to the restaurant to enjoy the Monday Special – it’s Curry Night! Tomorrow we have one of those very special Rally occasions – Pat and Jeremy Cage (Hakuna Matata) have invited us to join them to celebrate Pat’s Big Birthday with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and music on the beach. It promises to be a great evening, but with a certain amount of sadness, too.  We shall soon be saying farewell to Pat, Jeremy, Elena and Bradley who will be heading back to the US and Jeremy’s new job. Out of shorts and flipflops and into a business suit – what a transition!

The Programme Comes to a Close

On Wednesday I’m giving the Leg Briefing for Fiji to Oz , and on Thursday the programme comes to a close with our crews joining in the big event of the week – the Pig on a Spit night.  The staff and locals from Malolo will put on a great traditional dance and song show during the evening as our crews dine together under the stars – a great way to end the Blue Water Rally stopover.

Oh yes, I nearly forgot – there’s work as well as play! A number of the Rally yachts are going over to Vuda Point Marina on the mainland for liftouts, maintenance and antifouling. We’ve sailed over halfway round the world now, so some hulls are beginning to look rather green, which won’t impress the Australian authorities who have a strong policy against biofouling.

Anyway, Oz is some way off and the Rally won’t leave Fiji for Vanuatu, our en rote stopover until around the 15th.  Anyway, that’s some way off and there’s still lots to look forward to.