Mamanucas are as dry as Yasawas, but even closer to Nadi airport and Port Denarau. Locals live from a long time from tourism: no dream, money is always the first question to visit anything onshore but inter action is not impossible especially if you don't arrive with a group.

I spent one year of my life in Rio and it is very hard not climb on this attractive rock, even with a guide; w

hat is a bit sad is to bring my guide spearfishing after the climb: Impossible to fish without a micro spear attached to a finger as there is no more prey from a decent size around.

More southeast in MALOLO LALAI,  Musket cove regatta is one of the most famous pacific regatta, but many things change from 2003.

In the past the rallye FIDJI VANUATU finished the event and this was attracting circumnavigators from all countries; now even the week propose a lot of activities, a majority of the fleet is from New Zealand. Anyway you still receive a life membership of the club as before and locals work hard to organize the week, wich is a good way to have fun and dinner with others; we did'nt participate...Thanks to good managment and work of lot of locals, the resort offer a superb standard, even if you don' sail. ...Overbusy with maintenance to prepare ALCYONE for a good project in New Caledonia we even don't participate this year too...

Attractives rocks...but no way to climb alone, you need a guide....

This village live from tourism from long...

a famous resort is at walking distance n give work for many...

guide climb weekly with groups...

But this time he do it with his family...

Easy climb and rewarding view... with ALCYONE n another boat anchored in front of village...

Fijian safety n skill: this kid is about 10 years old

Guide played the game, we did too n we went spearfishing

A bit more south: arrival in MALOLO LALAI a few days before the famous MUSKET COVE  REGATTA

Still possible to anchor, but dozens of cruisers congregate here this month;

Success of Musket cove: no cars sand everywhere n a growing standard

"Bateau-Boulot-Dodo",(boat-work-sleep)...are locals happier than before?

Time for us for a bit of maintenance...

700 bottles of Fiji waters are inside ALCYONE...

Time to install  second independant plotter with the radar