Royal Exploring Isles Yacht Squadron,     
Mbavatu Harbour,Vanua Mbalavu, Lau, Fiji


The visiting King, George Tuopu V of Tonga asked the owner of the yacht club if he would mind adding Royal to the name of the squadron!!

We felt very privileged to be able to moor next
to the plantation owners boat, 'Tau'.
His boat looks bigger because it is in the forefront of the picture!!

'Puppy' arrived for a short stay also.
Anatoly and Natasha, crazy Russians!

Crystal clear water and a fresh water shower on the wharf!

Dressed 'posh' for dinner with the owner!!

Owners homes on top of the hill!

Coconut plantation complete with tropical sheep!
Faster than their Welsh/Kiwi brethren.
No wool either, to cope with the heat!!

They harvest the brown coconuts and remove the flesh, then press the flesh to remove oils.
Supposedly better than olive oil?!

The other side of the island was named Bay of Islands for obvious reasons.

A lovely bay with a beach on both sides.

Never trust a woman with a big knife looking to chop up round objects.

Note the manic grin!!

 Dinner Time!

                                      Easter Weekend Bili-Bili Race

The Bili is made from bamboo trunks and lashed together with vines. Not an ocean going concern, but good enough for the locals to cross the river to the plantations and small calm water crossings.

We did see the locals out in one while we were having a 60knot blow though!!

                                             
Choosing your Bili is important as some sit lower in the
water than others, thereby affecting drag through the
water.

Teams are made up of four, three females and a male, or three males and a female. The lone person then becomes the King or Queen and does not take part in the rowing. They must sit at the front of the Bili Bili.

No, I was not the Queen!!

Coolest King!!

The start is a mad push until a certain point then all paddlers go for it!
Obviously the Kaivalangi were feeling very confident at the beginning!

However the last team in were the Kaivalangi!!