FIJI DAY 11

Monday morning was the best weather we'd had on the island. Clear blue sky, no wind, calm sea. We decided to kayak round the north  end of the island to Picnic Beach.

By now we were feeling relaxed and confidant on Naigani. We knew most of the staff and our way around and the routine, even getting a kayak off the rack and heading out did not have that self conscious element we felt the first week. We'd been waiting for a calm day to venture out of sight of the resort in a kayak around to the other side.

Mark and Tracey from Sydney turned up on cue just as we were about to leave. They were back from their morning scuba dive. They were out on the dive boat every day, except the one when it was cancelled because of the weather. They had a knack of finding us when they weren't diving, "What are you two up to," Tracey's loud voice would demand before you'd seen her.

"Were off to Picnic Beach, perfect day for it."

Mark chimed in, "The young czech bloke kayaked round there last week. He reckoned it took him 20 minutes to get to the point."

Off we went, Lib in front, me in the rear trying to remember to co ordinate with Lib's paddling. The water was blue green and clear then deep blue as we were over deeper sections. There was a gentle swell right to left that hardly affected progress and I was surprised at how quickly we went. Checking the watch it was right on twenty minutes of steady paddling as we reached the point and turned left to travel the north of the island. It was much quicker than walking along the shore on the slippery rocks. The gentle swell of two or three feet was now coming from behind us and pushing us along. It was exhilarating.

We reached Picnic beach in about forty minutes or so since leaving the resort, again we we had it to ourselves and there are some times in life that you remember clearly forever and this day will be one for me. We decided to make use of the calm weather and continue around the island. We didn't take the camera for fear of getting it wet but we did on the following Friday, FIJI Day 15, so I'll put up a couple of snaps when I get there. This shot below is someone else kayaking in front of the resort but it gives an idea of the scene.



A Kayak in front of the resort, looking more or less ESEast

It was a solid paddle down the west side past Sacred Bay and then past Cannibal Caves. The sea became rougher as we rounded the south side back to the east side. Now we we were heading into a bigger swell coming directly towards us and a head wind. The last half hour or so past the native village and back to the resort was hard work. The circuit took us about two and a half hours of which half an hour was stoppage time on the beach.

As we returned Mark and Tracey were about to leave on an afternoon diving trip. "Did you go right round? Was it hard?"

"No it was good mostly, but the last bit was a bit tough, the sea was rougher and the wind stronger."

The Czech guy was with them. "I went round last week, it took two hours and the last bit was hard."

We had a little rest in the afternoon, well pleased with ourselves that we'd rowed around. We didn't set off intending to, it was meant to be a stepping stone for a circuit later in the week. Next time we said to each other, we'll take flippers and snorkels and camera and lunch at Picnic Beach.