We’ve been in Fiji now for a while, but we haven’t visited too many places, we enjoy lingering and getting to know the people and see all sides of an island. It’s also great to return to a place:
We already spent two weeks here in Matuku last July, so when we returned we were greeted by familiar faces like long-lost family, we brought some presents we had promised last time and the people generally appreciate the fact that we enjoyed their island enough to return!
Our Books
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2022
22
Oct
Returning to places
2022
14
Oct
Passage Soup
Over the last three days a trough passed over Fiji. We briefly considered to set out with the front, but the NW wind prediction looked quite violent with lots of rain, so we decided to wait for the wind shift to W instead. It was a good decision: We set out yesterday afternoon, found the westerlies a few miles south of Suva–and they were still stronger than expected, 25 knots instead of the predicted 15… While Pitufa was doing 6 to 7 knots I was feeling to queasy to cook a proper dinner and just made “passage soup”. A Thai soup with lots of ginger, garlic, chilies and green curry paste is just the right meal to settle a queasy stomach 
During the night sailing continued nicely with a bit less wind and now at sunrise, the silhouette of Matuku lies ahead already!
2022
14
Oct
Interview on Life Radio
Our radio interview, that was delayed earlier, will be aired this week on Life Radio. On October 17 at 5.45 and 7.45 in the morning show!
2022
13
Oct
Kava
The Fijians drink the ground up root of Kava like we drink beer, just as a social thing in the evening. Kava used to be highly ritualised and mainly for men, but nowadays it’s served casually among friends or family.
We were anchored in Vaga Bay on the West side of Beqa Island, when our shore neighbour Albert (Pati) stopped by and invited us for lunch and Kava. It was a long weekend so the grown-up daughters and grand children were visiting and we had a great time with the family. Pati and Sasa told us that they try to invite each yacht that stops in their bay (not so many) and that they would be thrilled to have more boats on Beqa. So if you’re in the vicinity, anchor on the north side of Vaga Bay and visit Pati and Sasa (their house is hidden underneath the trees, but you’ll see their boat ashore)!
2022
11
Oct
Article on Fishing and Canning in Boating NZ
Birgit Hackl, Christian Feldbauer: Can it! Fishing and Canning, Boating New Zealand, Sept. 2022, p. 104–105. Read the online version of this article.
2022
09
Oct
Checking out cyclone holes
Warm weather, calm seas–summer in the South Pacific is the best time for cruising. Unfortunately it’s also the cyclone season, so most yachts are already leaving westwards, but we have decided to stay. Instead of leaving the boat in a cyclone pit or marina, we are checking out different, protected anchorages, so we’ll know where to run and hide when a cyclone is approaching. It’s a worrying thought, but we have talked to many people who have spent numerous cyclones here and they fared okay. We’re hoping for a benign, eventless summer!
2022
07
Oct
Read our article on our sail wardrobe online at All At Sea
Birgit Hackl, Christian Feldbauer: How many Sails does a Cruising Yacht need?, All At Sea Caribbean, August 2022, p. 44–50. Read the online version of this article or download the whole magazine for free.
2022
07
Oct
Rubbish and pollution
When we were out on the little island Matuku, we asked what they did with their rubbish. The headman explained that they know that burning rubbish causes pollution, so they are filling up sinkholes instead.
They would like to reduce their amount of rubbish by recycling, but don’t know how to achieve that. I therefore promised to look into options on Viti Levu, the main island. We found Fiji Waste Recyclers LTd. who are separating and recycling all kinds of materials. They are interested in offering this service to little islands as well and we agreed to work something out together.
When we got to Vuda Marina we were shocked to hear that they “used to separate rubbish, but have stopped to do so”. Walking out on the road we saw heaps of rubbish–people simply chuck whatever they’ve just consumed out of the window. I felt like giving up for a while, but then we got to Denarau Marina where they have separate bins for plastic, cans, bottles, paper, etc. and it’s the same in Musket Cove Marina.
It takes a long time to change people’s minds and I know that there are some efforts underway, they just seems awfully slow and late, given the gigantic plastic pollution problem our planet is struggling with.
2022
04
Oct
Interview on LifeRadio (in German ;-))
When we were in Austria, we did some PR for our books and on October 5 one of those interviews will be broadcast. On LifeRadio in Upper Austria at 5.45 UTC+2 at 7.45 UTC+2 and sometime in the afternoon.
Here’s the link to the station
2022
19
Sep
Sailing towards the Horizon
We published the book about our journey aboard SY Pitufa last month and it was immediately available in the US, but there were some initial delivery problems in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Now it’s available for all our fans and readers on their local Amazon site!!
2022
17
Sep
A day at the races
Musket Cove Regatta is happening this week here on Malolo Island (Fiji) with a variety of events and we’re in the middle of it, taking pictures and writing an article for Boating NZ! Great weather, tons of boats and lots of fun!
2022
12
Sep
Back in Fiji
We flew out with hand luggage only and return with lots of goodies! All went well despite our bulky, creatively packed baggage (even though we got asked a few times whether we were transporting a headless body)
2022
09
Sep
Hurricane Kay
We’re in San Diego now to visit friends and hurricane Kay has picked the same week to visit… It’s not a strong storm, but still the closest we’ve ever been to a hurricane. Fortunately we haven’t sailed here, so we don’t have to worry about preparing the boat! Pitufa’s safe and sound in Fiji 
2022
05
Sep
Sightseeing in Austria
After having spent so much time away it was great to see the beauty of Austria with the eyes of a tourist. Historical towns, mindboggling mountains, clear lakes–Austria is indeed a wonderful place
View of Salzburg:
2022
25
Aug
Article on DIY Waterproofing
Birgit Hackl, Christian Feldbauer: A Waterproof Recipe, Boating New Zealand, August 2022. Read the online version of this article.