Sailing Fiji and it feels GOOD!
Who’s ready to go sailing Fiji!?! We may not be able to get back to our own boat, but it doesn’t mean we can’t commandeer someone else’s! Ok, so maybe we aren’t the commandeering type, but we never pass up a good invitation. Which is how we’ve found ourselves back at sea!
It’s been months, upon months and there’s just no denying that being out on the water is where our souls ache to be. The sense of freedom, peace and endless horizons is unbeatable.
One thing we couldn’t help but think about on this sail is how much suffering and turmoil is going on in the world right now.
But…people are inherently good, and humanity is alive and well. If you get nothing else from all our stories, we hope you can see that much is true.
Ted, Kim and the rest of the Neal family befriended us during a scary time. It’s been a gift and one we’ll never forget.
Being in a foreign country, or anywhere new and different, puts our senses on high alert. We don’t see familiar faces, signs, or roads. Things smell different, even the moisture and the feel of the air changes. So naturally, we become more observant of our surroundings.
And one thing we’ve noticed here (and continually experience through travel) is how compassionate, generous, and hospitable people are when they sense you are out of your element.
Most people here in Fiji are aware that any new face isn’t a tourist right now. Its someone who is stuck…away from the comfort and support of home.
Our first few weeks were tough. Rules and regulations were changing by the hour, people were scared, anxious, confined to their homes and we were even turned down by a few accommodations who were afraid to rent to foreigners.
But, despite the down spiraling economy, bankrupt businesses and lost jobs, the Bula spirit and hospitality haven’t stopped. People we have never met or spoken to, who don’t follow our channel and didn’t know of us before, have offered up their assistance, homes, cars, food, and companionship.
People are inherently good and want to help.
First, it was the Neal family and since the restrictions have eased, it’s been a steady stream of new friendships…and even ships! We’re excited to introduce you to all of them. So stay tuned friends, we’ve just started a whole new journey.
🙏THANK YOU!
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Michael
you two need to get out while you can. Don’t wait for Tonga to open up. Hire a Tongan to fuel and provision your boat and sign for your packages. Any Tongan attorney can handle that for you. Then Hire the Tongan to take your boat to the edge of Fijian territorial waters. Hire another boat to take your boat just outside of Fiji. Then get out. Since you are Americans you can go to Palau, The Marianas, Guam and Hawaii. You may have to quarantine each place but you can do so on your boat while snorkeling and diving. But GET OUT. This is only going to get worse. Australia and New Zealand have announced closures for the rest of the year and possibly 2021. The island nations around them will be pressured to close. Please get out while you can. Fiji used to have a million tourists a year which provided the funds to pay for food imports which account for the majority of Fiji’s food supply. Those tourists are gone and Fiji will do whatever it takes to feed her people. Get out now while you can. Hire a Tongan you can trust via a Tongan attorney to bring your boat to you.
Jeff
Apologies for using this forum to ask this question but, like many, we are still enjoying your RV adventures and reviews. Sometimes it feels like we have looked at every model a few dozen times and that there’s nothing we haven’t seen. Then we stumbled on your Monaco Vesta videos. First time we’ve seen one or heard of it. Had the same experience a month ago with the Montaj. We had been looking at the Tiffin Allegro Breeze and were quite excited to read that you had compared it to the Monaco Vesta but that link seems to have died and that blog/video seems to have disappeared. Was this something you did deliberately or is it a technical glitch? Would really like to see/read your comparison of these two coaches so would appreciate it if you could let me know if that’s possible.
All the best on your future journeys.
S1oop
I finally did it! I caught up to the Wynns. I’ve been watching your sailing videos for over two years but never caught up until today. I guess I’ll start watching the RV videos while waiting for sailing releases. It’s great to see you two back out on the water.
Deborah Kerr
Awesome sail ⛵️ Beautiful waters 🏝
I enjoy your adventures and friendships, very nice people we get to meet along the way too!
Thank you for sharing!! 💙
YDion
You wrote: “People are inherently good, and humanity is alive and well. If you get nothing else from all our stories, we hope you can see that much is true.”
Thank you for reminding us… A very powerful conclusion to this beautiful video.
Hanna, Thorsten and Pru
Just hoping you are homeward bound. Thanks for sharing.
JOSH LONGRAIN
Thanks for sharing.
They are such wonderful people. I’ve been 7 times to Fiji and loved every moment of it . I’m thinking of moving there for good and live with the most friendliest people on planet earth …but not yet . Bula Vinaka !
Bernie Schwientek
Absolutely beautiful video. Thank you for the uplift..it is much needed. Just a question that has been on my mind for awhile now..can Curiosity be freighted to you? I would imagine it would cost a bit..but I am sure your supporters would be most happy to help. I am sure you would not like to come on and ask, but if it is possible and we knew the cost target, I am willing to do the asking. Just a thought.. Be well and be safe…
Curious Minion
They actually have checked into that but the boat yard doesn’t have a crane that could even pick Curiosity up. So the rest is a moot point.
Curious Minion
Bernie Schwientek
Damn..I hope this all comes to an end for you two soon..
Michael
They should just hire a Tongan to fuel and provision the boat then sail Curiosity to the edge of Fijian waters. then hire a boat to take them to the edge. They are are going to get stuck there if they don’t make a decision to get out. This virus SCAM is going to get worse before it gets better.
Curious Minion
Except they can’t fuel the boat – her tanks were removed at the yard because they were leaking and all the supplies to repair them are in a crate, waiting to be picked up and only releasable to Nikki and Jason. So they’d have to abandon thousands of dollars of boat parts in the crate and then they’d be sailing a boat that isn’t really safe to operate.
Curious Minion
Kay Tennant
No you didn’t !! I cant believe you cut your video where you did ! I’m going to go crazy waiting to see your new digs ! I’m so happy for you that you have gotten back out on the water. I hope things continue to move forward for you. Best Fishes 🐬🌴
Alan Solomon
Thanks for sharing. Ted seems to be the local man. I love the 2 dogs. I grew up with Dachshunds.
I remember me and a few people went to a fishing village in Baja. We took a boat out to fish and back, similar to Mark’s boat. I was so seasick. I could not pick my head up off the bottom of that boat. That choppy water would have done me in!!
Keep smiling. Stay positive. Stay Safe. Be well. Take best of care.
PJ
I think I missed it, but what happened to the kitty you were fostering?
LA
You guys Rock! Someday when gainfully employed again,I can express that via more GWW merch purch. For now, you guys are AWESOME! Thanks for sharing!
Sail On!
Anne-Marie Mills
How do you both keep your teeth so white? What product do you use. Love your blogs and youtube videos.
Nikki Wynn
We use homemade paste! 2 parts baking soda/ 1 part coconut oil (or more to your desired consistency)/ pinch of ginger and cinnamon powder (for flavor and antibacterial) / 1 part xylitol (natural sweetener and good for tooth health).
Richard Fenters
I am happy to see you guys happy! Hopefully, soon you’ll be at home on The Curiosity!! Maybe as a group of loving fans, we could begin a letter writing campaign to officials in Tonga to help get you there ASAP!! Not sure if that would help or not? Keep up your lovely smiles as it’s contagious!! 🙂
Katie
Nikki, How did you get so good at voice over? It is not an easy thing to do. Any tips?
Thanks for sharing your adventures!
Nikki Wynn
10 years of practice now and I still struggle not to sound like a reading robot. 😂 Mostly, I try to envision who I am talking too…I think about the friends I would be telling the story to.
Lucille
Best Wishes for Safe Travels.
Anita and Dan Houtcooper
It was like my husband and I were with you finally getting to sail!! It was so much fun and I agree the backpack with rocks has lifted!! What a beautiful day and beautiful blue water👏🏻👏🏻💕
VALERIE LYNN WILLIAMS
Love to see you Happy, excited and exploring.
mary
I’m so happy to see you back out – even if it isn’t your boat!
That was a nice anniversary/birthday gift Ted and his family gave to you. So glad you got to have a little fun outside of your new home. Hopefully, it won’t be home much longer.
Stephanie Salgado
Looks like you possibility could enter Tonga now. With up ticks I would go asap.
Country-Specific Information:
Tonga has no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within its borders.
Tonga has announced entry restrictions requiring international travelers (except Tongan citizens, permanent residents, and immediate family members) who either traveled from or through the United States, China, Australia, Italy, South Korea, and several dozen other countries to spend at least 14 days in self-quarantine in a country free of coronavirus prior to entering Tonga.
Please note that travel restrictions are subject to change without notice.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
Tonga has announced entry restrictions requiring international travelers (except Tongan citizens, permanent residents, and immediate family members) who either traveled from or through the United States, China, Australia, Italy, South Korea, and several dozen other countries to spend at least 14 days in self-quarantine in a country free of coronavirus prior to entering Tonga.
Travelers covered by the travel restriction are then required to undergo medical clearance within three days of traveling to Tonga, and to provide the clearance to Tongan authorities before being granted entry. Failure to provide medical clearance could result in denial of entry or return to country of origin.
International flights and vessels entering Tonga are required to use Tongatapu as the first port of entry for border screening before traveling to outer islands.
Tonga has banned the arrival of cruise ships and yachts into the country until further notice.
Nikki Wynn
This is very old, unfortunately. This was the original posting that landed us in Fiji (waiting out our 14 days of quarantine) and then they closed their borders. Borders are still closed and they are just now repatriating their own citizens. So we’re still in for a bit of a wait.
Marjorie Nehlsen
So nice to get back on the water. You look so happy and carefree.
Leland Crenshaw
Thank you for making my day!
Louis Miller
When are you going to get to your boat ????
Robbie Dawkins
So very glad when you guys are sending out a videos. I hope you will soon be back to your boat ! You are both special people with a kind heart and a great since of adventure!!
Be safe see you soon 🙂