S 18° 25.697
E 178° 21.895

At about 1630 we lifted the anchor. It needed some cleaning because the sea bed at the anchorage was very thick mud, which gave us a good hold while at anchor. The anchorage was a really nice place.

Tom, my Fijian friend, who took me to his village and farm on Sunday, came by with his boat to bid final farewell. He really is a nice guy and in glad he came by in one of the early days we were in that anchorage. Since then we met daily on board of MaRe for a cup of tea and a talk. Yesterday he even brought his 3 year old daughter with him. She is a boat girl.

Forecasted wind 10 – 20 KN, 135 deg.

First, we sailed about 200 deg until the Suva E WPT appeared under 60 deg. Then we tacked and sailed a COG of 60 deg giving still some leeway to the WPT.

Next a Chinese fishing boat crossed our course and I decide to move to PRT by 30 deg. It was a strange encounter. The AIS showed a Chinese cargo vessel and called it on VHF CH16. No reply. When the vessel was less than an NM away a Chinese fishing vessel was shown by AIS. When it passed on STB the lights indicated a fishing vessel and i could not see a cargo vessel. Is this one more bug in Raymarines latest SW update or what was this?

Joe feels again a bit seasick but so far not she did not feed the fish. I hope she makes it until we can sail less upwind.

As for my story about Makogai I wrote a bit more today but is still not yet finished; I’ll do my best. Not now because it’s a bit bumpy. Despite STW of around 8 KN it will take about 4 h more until we reach the WPT Suva E and can go on a more comfortable course.