Yanuca Island in Beqa Lagoon - Photos

After Gau we headed to Beqa Lagoon.

Johnathan leading the way into Beqa Lagoon.

I need more sleep.  A busy night dodging so many Chinese fishing boats.

Leading the way but looking the wrong way ...

Sailing across the lagoon.

The anchorage at Yanuca.  Exodus and Nirvana are already there.

Liz leading us into the anchorage.

Heading to the village for sevusevu with Gary and Julie from Nirvana

The beach just before sunset

Sunset

Internet ! 3G if we put the iPad in the right spot on the boat.

The weather has not been great so the girls design and make dresses.  Fein from Nautilus being very brave as Victoria puts in pins.

Gigi's new dress in progress.

While Johnathan and I do the oil change.

Johnathan repairing his favourite shorts.

People talk about cruising being "maintenance in exotic locations" but for us it is also "diapers in exotic locations".  Lots of rain - which is handy without a functioning watermaker - so diaper cleaning time.

Johnathan hauls up saltwater for the diapers.

Spearfishing Photos

I have been fortunate to have some experienced spearfishers to tutor me in spearfishing.  I had done some in Mexico but this is like going from the bunny hill to the double diamond runs in skiing.  A lot deeper, more current and a lot more sharks !  My new-to-me Beauchat 115 speargun is a real treat compared to the little gun I used in Mexico.

A steep learning curve but I have managed to get a few fish.  Definitely a good thing we are not relying on my spearfishing to feed the family.  The new skills have been handy though as I recently had to freedive to untangle our anchor chain about 40' down .

All the in-water photos were taken outside the pass in Fulanga by Jesus.

Gary bringing home dinner !

An eagle ray coming to check on my progress.

Ambush

Still waiting

Finally got a decent size fish - a job fish down about 40'.  Very tasty.

Oops - I saw this guy tuck into a cave at about 30'.  I went back down and waited for him and thought, seeing only the nose, that it was a grouper or similar.  Nope.  Some sort of puffer fish.

I did get a tasty coral trout though.

Hans get a nice dogtooth tuna ! (Nautilus photo)

Parrotfish is also tasty

Johnathan processing the job fish

Johnathan processing the job fish - nice teeth !

Gau Photos

Gau - pronounced "now" of course ... the diving and snorkeling photos where already published so here are the "above water" photos ...

The main village in Gau.

Off to the village to do sevusevu

Benjamin doing sevusevu

Sevusevu

Some of the kids after sevusevu

and more kids

and more ...

and more ...

Hiking home

Exodus at the end of the rainbow

Lunch after church.  Benjamin with the Acting Chief

It has rained for days so ... we should go for a hike up the mountain.

Our impromtu guide when the guide we had arranged could not be found.

Always time for a potluck dinner - on SV Caminante again ...

The migration to the southern pass down the lagoon

Catamaran envy as SV Lumabaz anchors in shallow.

The tasty walu we caught crossing the lagoon.

Movie night in Caminante

Benjamin thinks we should take his picture !

This book is so funny !

Johnathan guiding us out of the lagoon

Goodby Gau

Victoria watching for reefs as we leave Gau.

Caminante disappearing into the sunset as we both leave Gau for a light air sail to Beqa (us) and Suva (them).