Jim our 20yo son can make a break in his Auckland study to join us 3 weeks...The crew of the round the world (1998-2004) is back; but this time Jim is no more a small kid, but a solid teenager and french 420 champion under 18yo. We ll try to go a bit out of the beaten track...

From Lautuka, we immediatly sailed north along the west coast of main island before reaching the south coast  of Vanua Balevu...crossing again Bligh waters; goal is to reach Kia island, this island seems so nice on the satellite chart ...like a gem in his coral box; and the water around is very clear, thzt is not the case on many leeward coats in FIJI !

The old Code O is dead...(cloth as paper) n we order a new one to Alan Marshall in Vuda

Our goal when Jim is on board: Kia island, the one north of Vanua Balevu...who can resist ?

High pressions...With a venturi effect, the trade wind accelerate to 30k+ along the south coast of Vanua Balevu,

How a skipper can be happier with a french 420 champion at the steering wheel...

sharing in family home made bread...

...chinese fishing n cooking

or sometimes...no cooking at all !

...sailing fast on flat water on the leeward coast of west Vanua Balevu...

following the channel, passing  rare fishermen villages...

...some stops, always before 15h00 as water is not so clear...alone as usual in apparently very wild places.

attractive landing spot to walk in the bush...

better activity than sailing too late on these mangrove  water...

A Day aventure out of the cat ?

Almost lost ?

...

but civilisation is never too far !