December 8, 2025
Today was a real treat. We had a whole gorgeous island in Fiji all to ourselves. Leleuvia Island is a tiny coral cay known for its impossibly clear water, white sand beaches and quiet. It is home to fewer than 50 staff and no permanent population - just a sand fringed eco resort surrounded by reef and lagoon. We were suppose to be heading to Wallis & Futuna, but their dock was damaged in a storm and we need a last minute substitution and this island and our next port in Fiji were just added to the itinerary. Also we were in a nasty storm at sea last evening ( luckily only the 2nd I can remember in the 1.5 years to date) and through the night, with large swells, that had our boat rocking. So to wake to sunshine and calm seas was a blessing. Below are some of the fantastic drone shots our fellow passenger is kind enough to share.
We walked around the perimeter of the island, snorkeled, enjoyed some live island music and sipped on a complimentary cocktail all while lounging in the sun. It was a welcome relax and recharge day!
Easter turned out to be a travel day for Bosco and I as we were extremely limited in when we could be seen by the Australian Border Control to disembark from the Ship, for a scuba diving adventure in Raja Ampat that I have had reserved, for over 18 months! We flew from Perth to Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on Easter afternoon.
I have been really excited to get to Fremantle / Perth for my first time. I have had a few friends live here over the years and I have a second cousin, James Murphy, who I have only ever spoken too briefly, over the last 35 years and that I would love to meet in person. Jim is the older brother of Paul who I met up with in Melbourne a few weeks ago.
Greetings from FREMANTLE or FREO as the locals call it! Getting here took a long week at Sea, as we hid out and dodged wave surges from two cyclone systems. Our departure from Adelaide was timed to carefully avoid the path of Cyclone Narelle and we hugged the southern coastline of Australia, in the shallow waters of the Great Australian Bight . Later in the week we sheltered near Point Culver, before taking the turn and heading North along the western coastline.