Mamanuca group
Malolo Island
For my very last sailing trip around Fiji, part of Melanisia, Captain Craig took me and his friends Thomas & Maureen (Tom & Momo) to the “Island of the resting sun” or Malolo Island part of the Mamanuca group. Again the wind was against us…. so we mainly motored along. The weather was beautiful though and I took it all in – one last time, more conscious than ever.
Reaching Malolo Island we found some other friends of Craig. This time we were rafting up right alongside there sailboat. It was my very first time of doing so and I found it quite a scary event. Both captains were very chilled about it… they sure had done it a million times before, …so everything went smooth and well.
It was lovely meeting Eliah and Amy with their bright 6 months old daughter Tuula. Spending some hours together was a bliss, before we had to say goodbye and continue our journey to Qalito Island for the night.
Qalito Island
Qalito Island tucked away right behind Malolo Island, commonly known as “Castaway Island” is a 170-acre private resort Island. Before getting there we past a floating bar, right in the ocean, only surrounded by some small islands. I found it disturbing… but reading through their reviews, most tourists seem to rave about the place. Great cocktails, nice food and a perfect reef for snorkeling!
We went for a quick snorkeling, which wasn’t that exciting. I guess, that after snorkeling around Namena… I am kind of spoilt now. Nevertheless it was great that we did! Once we had arrived at Qalito, we anchored next to the only other boat, a catamaran with other friends of Captain Craig. We enjoyed a lovely evening togehter, grateful for the experience.
Unfortunately the next morning Maureen didn’t feel very well. All of a sudden starlink gave up and it seemed that the windlass too. Not having the windlass to raise the anchor and rode (chain) would be a real pain in the ass. Meanwhile Captain Craig started resolving problems from his list,… I looked after Maureen as good as I could.
Nothing really got any better. So Craig took Tom and me for a quick dinghy ride to a popular reef just around the beach. My last short snorkel trip. It was fantastic to be in the water again, although the coral wasn’t great. Some royal blue Linckia sea stars made my day! Soon we were back on Russula to get ready for returning to Nadi.
SV Russula
Having no windlass, teamwork is the dreamwork. So we all got a job and carefully followed Captain Craigs’ instructions to get the anchor up. Pulling with all our strenght and some help from the electric winch we managed.
Sailing back to Nadi, my last time of sailing around Fiji was special. Again, almost no wind…. but still. This part of the earth with over 330 islands, around 110 of them permanently inhabited has gained a special place in my heart.
Fair winds, and following seas…. dear SV Russula!
