We happened to be sailing from Tonga to Fiji on Halloween.
The Skipper surprised the First Mate by appearing as "MEAN DAD"
(how our kids probably used to see their father).


We sailed from Tonga directly to Lautoka, the major sugar port in Fiji.
Not a beautiful harbor, but the closest port of entry to the marina
we would be leaving Gumbo at for the season.


Downtown Lautoka.


Filariasis (Elephantiasis) has not yet been irradicated from Tonga and Fiji.
We had to take NINE pills each as a preventative measure.


The HUGE farmer's market in Lautoka.


This is what kava looks like before it is prepared for drinking.
Called "Yaquona" here in Fiji, it is the root of the pepper plant. You take
this root, pound it into powder, mix it with water, and drink it. Yecchh!


Gumbo Ya-Ya, tied up to a "dock" for the first time in almost a year.
This is Vuda Point Marina five miles from Lautoka.


The bus stop outside the marina. Here's the First Mate waiting
for the bus to Lautoka.


Gumbo being hauled out in preparation for being planted in the ground.


Georgie, the travelift operator, moving Gumbo into position.


Gumbo being centered over her hole.


Gumbo being lowered into her hole.


One of the yard workers positioning some blocks under Gumbo's keel.
We wouldn't want HIS job!


Gumbo sitting in her hole. Theoretically, if a cyclone hits this area,
there's no way our boat can tip over or float away. We're STILL
keeping our fingers crossed!


The Skipper sitting in with a local Tongan band.
We now call ourselves "25 Myna Birds and 1 Palangi".


50% of Fiji's population is Indian. So here is one
of their temples in downtown Nadi.


A view of downtown Nadi. By the way, Nadi is pronounced
"nandi" and Vuda is pronounced "vunda".


Fiji's primary export is sugar.
This is what sugar cane looks like just before harvest.


The sugar cane is harvested and transported to the mill
in Lautoka on small rail cars.