Our next adventure is about to unfold. This past week we have been going flat out entertaining my sister Patty’s family of five – giving them just a taste of cruising life and the allure of the South Pacific. I flew to Fiji on Air Pacific along with the five Hosmers a week ago Saturday night. With six travelers and 11 suitcases plus another 8 carry-on bags it was a bit of an ordeal but we didn’t lose a thing and only broke one jar of peanut butter which forced an early load of laundry on the boat.

Rod and Mike (who traveled separately by way of a business stopover in Australia) were waiting for us at Nadi’s airport with a rental car and two taxis for the motorcade to Port Denarau Marina where AVATAR was waiting for us, all spiffed up with fresh flowers in vases that Rod had picked in the marina garden the night before.

As soon as everything was stowed on board (most of the luggage went into the small dinghy on deck) we set sail for Musket Cove Island. There was not a prayer of sleeping eight adults on this boat, so we compromised with island resort accommodations and boating day trips aboard AVATAR.

Our travel weary visitors all recovered in their bungalow until 5pm, then came aboard for cocktails and supervision of the setting sun. Maybe we saw a green flash, maybe not, but this is one of the best places in the world for a chance to observe this phenomenon. Dinner at the resort was buffet with roast pig as the featured main followed by Fijian fire dancing for entertainment. Halfway thru the dancing Mike and I looked around and every Hosmer was nodding off at the table. So off to bed … adventure to be continued!

Perfect weather – mid 80s, mid 70s at night, mild breezes and no rain forecast for the next 10 days. Water temperature is perfect as well, not too cold to just jump in and swim around. And as is always true in this part of the world, the ocean offers an amazing medley of shades of blue and turquoise!

More to come…