Photo Gallery - October 2001
Pictures can be clicked to see a large
version of the image.
Jonah
plays Catch The Breadfruit with Al from "Abel Tasmen".
Kate
and Lucinda (from "Abel Tasmen") hiking to the ancient ruins on the
island of Wallis.
The
ruins of an ancient meeting ground on the island of Wallis.
The
ruins on Wallis consisted of a huge field with large stone platforms and other
structures.
Another
of the mysterious structures found at the ruins on Wallis.
The
stone entry way to the interior of the ruins.
A
final image of the Wallis ruins. This one of a passageway along the outer edge
of the site.
A
picture of the lagoon taken from the anchorage on the island of Wallis.
Another
shot taken at Wallis. This is one of the many little islands inside the lagoon.
A
small frieghter exiting the lagoon at Wallis taken while we were moving from one
anchorage to another.
One
more of the same frieghter.
The
approach to Vanua Levu in Fiji.
Sunset
photo taken from our first anchorage in Fiji - in front of the Cousteau resort
on the island of Vanua Levu about 3 miles from Savusavu the port of entry.
The
Copra Shed Marina in Savusavu, Fiji. Not really a marina by US standards, the
Copra Shed maintains a group of moorings for both local charter and visiting
sailboats.
A
ketch at the fuel dock at Savusavu.
Taken
from our mooring in Savusavu.
Kate
and Maggie, whose husband Kate met diving.We had them aboard for drinks one
evening along with a family from Australia we also met diving.
Ashley
(Maggie's husband) and their baby girl.
Andrew
and Mary, a couple (with 3 kids) who we met at the Cousteau dive resort. They
were on board one evening for drinks with Ashley and Maggie (seen above).
Another
shot taken from our mooring in Savusavu.
Savusavu
Town from our mooring.
On
our second dive with the Cousteau Resort we met more friends. Dave, Karen and
Doug were all staying at Cousteau. We got to chatting on the dive boat and Capt.
Dave (a pilot with UPS) had just bought a sailboat (Endevour 40 I believe) and
wanted to come see our boat, so we had them all over for drinks that night.
Doug,
last name unknown. Doug lives somewhere in Canada and we hope it is not too cold
there now as he looks at this web page and remembers how warm and sunny it is in
Fiji right now <g>.
The
third man (ahem) in the diving trio described above. Karen is from San Diego.
The
Queen Jane underway bound for Makongai after leaving Savusavu.
Ensign
Jonah keeping an eye out for ships.
The
first in a series of dolphin photos taken on the way to Makongai.
The
dolphins shown here are part of a pod (school) of animals which numbered in
excess of 100 easily. They swam along with us for about 20 minutes.
This
shot captures a dolphin splashing down after jumping. It is very hard to catch
one actually in the air. The captain took over 30 photos trying. This one is the
closest he came.
This
shot shows the incredible color of the water. This is actually a fair
representation and was not done with fancy filters or doctored digitally in any
way.
The
final shot in the series of five. Nothing warms our hearts or brights our day
more then seeing dolphins on a passge. Truly it is the highest form of honor
when these majestic creatures choose to swim alongside. If only we could
communicate with them.
The
approach to Makongai. This island is about 40 miles SW of Savusavu and is
inhabited sparsely by a dozen families spread around the island. There is no
village per se, no stores, shops or anything of note except a Tridacna Clam
hatchery and Turtle program (see photos below).
The
Queen Jane at anchor at Makongai. We spent a very pleasant week here relaxing
with our new friends aboard Dragon Lady.
The
first in a series of shots depicting the coral reefs close to shore at Makongai.
The water clarity here close to land was astounding, though out at the fringing
reef where we dove it lacked the same quality.
Wow.
Check out the water here.
This
photo shows the expanse of coral along the shore and tries to give the viewer
some idea of the incredible beauty of the place.
A
view of the hatchery cum village on Makongai. The buildings grouped here are the
remnants of a leper colony which closed down in the 1950s or 60s. Now they house
some of the dozen families which live on the island as well as the clam hatchery
and turtle recovery program.
Mary
from the S/V Dragon Lady. One day at Makongai we took the crew of Dragon Lady
aboard the Queen Jane and anchored out on the reef for a morning of diving. Mary
was kind enough to play babysitter while the rest of us dove since she does not
dive.
Darwin
of S/V Dragon Lady (Mary's husband).
Sunset
from the anchorage at Makongai.
Another
shot of sunset at Makongai. If you look carefully close to the top of the photo
you can just barely make out the sliver of the waxing moon.
Cocktails
in the Cockpit with Kate.
Kate
busy at work decorating the boat for Jonah's fifth birthday (Oct. 20th).
The
kids from Dragon Lady (Colin and Tristan) with Mara in the middle. Mara was a
Peace Corps volunteer they met in Apia, Samoa who decided to join them as crew
for some cruising in Fiji and the passage to Australia.
Bill,
at the clam hatchery, showing the kids a turtle from the turtle pool. They
collect baby turtles from the beaches around Makongai and raise them till they
are able to survive in the wild and then release them. This one is a Hawksbill,
an endangered species. They also have Green Turtles.
Jonah,
the kids from "Dragon Lady" and some local kids looking at the turtle
pool.
The
kids playing on a beached boat at Makongai.
Jonah's
birthday party aboard the Queen Jane. From left are Colin, Jonah and Tristan
eating cheeseburgers.
The
birthday cake.
Another
shot of the incredible birthday cake, with sparkler.
One
of Jonah's many birthday gifts, a robot which transforms to 3 trains.
Jonah
and his friends putting the new Space Base toy together on his birthday.
Another
photo of Jonah and Tristan playing with the Space Base toy.
It's
time to play Pile on The Daddy - Yeah!
Kate
reading bedtime stories to the kids at the sleepover portion of the birthday
party.
Jonah
climbing up the swim ladder. Mom is seen in the water below.
After
placing the dinghy on deck in preparation for departure a heavy rainstorm filled
it with water. The next morning Jonah decided it made a perfect bathtub!
The
crew of "Dragon Lady" attempting to board the Queen Jane with Jonah
the Pirate in the bow leading the charge.
After
a group swim the three kids warm themselves in the sun, sans bathing suits.
The
view of the village of Naiseuseu on the island of Mbengga from our
anchorage.
Our
new friends Ben, Thomas and Kendra whom we met at Mbengga Island. Thomas and
Kendra are backpackers from California who were staying in the village with Ben
and his family. They all came aboard one afternoon after spear fishing in the
bay. Ben and his wife Marie also hosted us for lunch at their home on Sunday
after church. They were exceedingly generous and friendly to us all.
Marie,
Ben's wife (see photo above), visits with their little daughter.
Jonah
posing (for scale) with giant lobster.
We
bought this lobster from a man in the village. We had to cut the tail off before
cooking as our pot is not large enough for the monster whole. The meat was
prepared Chinese style in a Chili Sauce.
The
view from the anchorage at Yanutha, a small island about 7 miles from Mbengga
inside the same lagoon. This is our favorite spot in Fiji so far and in fact our
favorite spot since leaving the Tuomotus last June!
Surfers
returning to the Surf Camp on shore at Yanutha after a hard day riding the waves
at Frigate Passage.
Jonah
dressed up for Haloween as "Batman".
