Jocara Ocean Expeditions

Well, we hit a bit of a snag with Fiji Customs... They changed the rules a few years ago and now you have to fill in a multi-page form and send it to them at least 48 hours before you arrive. We rocked up as we've always done and got sternly reprimanded. We filled out the form on-site, and that, we thought, was that. Until we went to check out. Then we were told that our clearance was being held pending an investigation and decision on the penalty we would pay. $1000 it turns out. Ouch! Still, live and learn... here we are taking on water at the Royal Suva Yacht Club for the big leg to Singapore, which will be 30 days at sea.

Well, after a fast roller-coaster ride downwind from Tonga (less than three days to cover 500 n.m. to Fiji) we are anchored up snug and calm in Suva harbour for a few days to recover our lost sleep! The first half of the trip we were power gybing downwind to keep the wind angle off the stern so we could fill main and Genoa. The second half we took the Genoa and staysail in and just ran with a single-reefed main more or less directly downwind in 22-24 kts. Now we're preparing for the long haul from here to Singapore, about 4,500 n.m.

Casper and John are back on board Jocara at her mooring in Neiafu harbour, prepping the boat for departure. Wind and wave conditions are a bit bouncy right now (3.5m swell with 2m waves on top) but things are supposed to calm down a bit over the weekend, so the plan is to check out Monday.