Our Friends Harley , Jennifer and Sophia Earl gave us an invite to join them at Musket cove for some days in the sun, offered an “antidote to the last of the dreary NZ winter”. We flew to Nadi and joined the yacht at Port Denarau and then headed off to Musket Cove – hosts to a well established cruising yacht regatta. Lots of sailers enjoying time together. they are like ships who often pass in the night but finally get some quality time to hang out together and reacquaint . It has a few silly races – plenty of food and very cheap drink – for example a corona or a fiji bitter only costing $3.24 NZ each.
KAILANI – a 63ft “deersfoot” – was built way back in 1990 at salthouse’s boatyard nz and somehow was found and purchased by Harley and Jenn from a marina way up in Turkey – Marmaris as I recall. She is a fast boat – long water line – and with a good crew and lots of wind she can move quickly.

A lovely dusk Pic of Harley and Sophia about ready to go dancing at the regatta dinner party

So called pirates day involved a race to Beachcomber Island – lack of wind meant it was a full on race of the engines and the flotilla navigated the reefs under power. Kailani proved fast and was the first yacht in , that did not cheat , but sadly Harley -who dove in for a mad swim to be the first man up the beach- did not get the coveted award – a case of Rum and or a hot woman – but no worries – arguably he is well supplied with both already.

Pirates leading the Earls up the beach – forcing them to walk the hot coals.

Jenn

Island of Monuriki – site for Tom Hanks castaway movie
We anchored overnight is a “rolly” but small swell off this picturesque island. Had a BBQ and bonfire on the beach at dusk and enjoyed the beauty and solitude of this place all to ourselves. During the rest of the day it seems a mecca for tourist drawn by the Tom Hanks association.

The pirate with his woman


Old pirates never die – they just continue to weather

Harley with the “far away look” in his eyes – or was it the sight of the opposition sailing away from us!