EVER since the generous invitation from Musket Cove Resort and Marina general manager Olivia Mavoa to cover the 29th Fiji Regatta Week, I have been looking forward to this trip.
In fact I kept it quite a secret, just a few bragging to some of my close buddies. I mean, I couldn't help boasting a bit, it's once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of a fun-filled event with people from all over the world.
My journey to Malololailai began on early Friday with a boring bus trip to the burning west. I arrived a bit late and missed my 2pm ferry from Denerau to Musket Cove.
I managed to catch the 5.30pm ferry and after almost an hour's ride, we reached this beautiful place called Musket Cove.
With darkness falling upon the paradise, Musket Cove glimmers with fancy coloured lights looking like the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in life.
The opening ceremony was going on when I arrived so I went straight to the function where I met Olivia and our caretaker Kini, head of Musket Cove Resort marketing department.
Participants from Canada, USA, United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, to name a few, took turns to sing their national anthem, which has been a tradition at the competition. The night ended with variety of yummy dishes and rocking music from the top local band Kulture.
The next morning, yesterday, was a Pirate Day Race, the opening race of the event.
In this competition, participants dressed as pirates and raced from Musket Cove to Beachcomber Island in their boats. The media was fortunate to get a space on one of the local yachts called Take A Break — and what a break it was!
We were reminded to be aware of the ammunition from the approaching boats.
Well, this ammunition in fact is the water balloons which these guys use to make the Pirate Day look real.
I guess we withstood most attacks, maybe just because our yacht looked more posh than others and maybe made us look like the richest bunch of pirates.
About an hour's ride, we entered the Treasure Island passage and Beachcomber Island — wow — it's just beyond my description.
They say its heaven on earth and if heaven is anywhere near to this stunning place then I'm not worried about my death.
We were the third boat to arrive and those who arrived before us made sure we got a 'wet welcome'.
The participants then had to walk on the hot stones and through a small hut, where they were served with a shot of Bounty rum.
On the beaches, sand graves of the pioneer pirates namely, the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow, Capt Barbosa, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann along with others were laid.
It was party time for all the participants with the Beachcomber Island Band along with a few competitions like tug-of-war and treasurer hunt for kids.
At around 3pm we left for Musket Cove and had another fun-filled evening at the Ratu Nemani Island Bar before returning home today.
The competition continues until this Thursday with golf, sailing, (beer) drinking competition, hobie cat and others still to go.
I realised, competition is just a reason, it's all about enjoying and having fun.