Tag Archives: fiji

NZ Bound #3: 896 nm left to find Champgne

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Well 24 hrs down, plenty to go. The search for champagne sailing continues. Stomping grapes more adequately describes the seas out here. We did have a few hours of sparkling wine, not even Prosecco, where the wind and waves agreed on which direction to bounce us around. We all got some good solid rest during those precious hours before returning to the salt mine.

We might be starting a new business. Deep Water Salt, made from only happy salt. Happy salt jumps out of the ocean, sun dried and delivered fresh to your table. Since Deep Water Salt is happy, its also good for all your friends with high blood pressure.

New batch of happy salt jumping onboard.

Stop by in NZ and you can claim your very own.

Ps. Thats a puny small splash, that’s all I could get a picture of without getting drenched

All well onboard, knocked out 186 miles direct to NZ, the boat traveled 197 miles so even if it is bouncy we are doing well with barely 1/3 of our available sails. We have had 2 reefs in both sails since we started.

NZ Bound #3 1082 nm till quality craft brews

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22 boats left Wednesday, we waited another day when only 5 boats left. What did we miss? We heard on the SSB that there was champagne sailing out there, so in search of that we go.

Looks a bit sporty?

We are now just about 12 hours into the journey and if we had any champagne it certainly would be shook up and have lost all its great effervescence.

We had a Mexican night onboard, enchiladas and rice, and a salt covered boat, just missing the rest of the margarita.

Still searching for champagne.

Cheers, All well onboard, at least another day of bouncing along.

Fiji Sea Salt

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 Fiji Sea Salt was started by Jone at Viani Bay Resort and Dive Academy a few years ago.  He started in a small shack spending a few years perfecting the process.

We had the honor of attending this monumental event.  The minister was coming to Viani Bay – the first time in the history of the bay.  They are here to celebrate the opening of the new Fiji Sea Salt facility.

Several dignitaries, the media for Fiji Times, family, friends, and staff gather around for the presentation and ceremony.

Viani Bay Resort hosted a special lovo and feast after the ceremony. They served close to 75 people.  Everyone enjoyed, pork, chicken, beef stir fry, fish, taro, salad and more during the feast.

They had a beautiful display of all the Fiji Sea Salt Flavors and a few of their coconut oils.

They sell over 16 different varieties of sea salt.  Each infused with fresh herbs and spices.  They also sell Extra Virgin Coconut Oil in 5 different varieties and 2 more to come.

Viani Bay Resort applied for and received a special cooperative grant from the government.  The government contributes 2/3 ($80,000 Fijian) of the cost and the applicant contributes 1/3 ($40,000 Fijian). 

The government started the co-op to help the local economy, created 7 new jobs, and enrich the Fijian culture.

The Making of Fiji Sea Salt

During Covid, Jone decided to revive and modernize the ancient Fijian tradition of harvesting sea salt. 

He spent a year perfecting his craft and is now the only manufacturer of Fleur de Sel (the highest grade of sea salt) in Fiji.

The quality of the salt is define by the processing of the water. 

Jone harvests the salt from the deep turquoise waters of Taveuni.

Workers then pour the sea water into large vats and boiled to evaporate the water. Once the water has evaporated the salt crystals float up to the surface creating Fleur de Sel. 

The water never touches the ground during the entire process which is entirely manual.

Jone takes the salt crystals and filters them, then sun-dries them, and then infuses them with natural herbs and spices.

They have their herbs, nuts, seaweed drying in a special enclosed area for optimal flavor.

 

A close up of the wide variety of sea salt flavors.

Our blog posts run 6-8 weeks behind actual live events.

We celebrated the grand opening of Fiji Sea Salt on 2 July 2025 in Viani Bay.

Be sure to check out the beauty of Viani Bay in our last blog post.

Fiji Sea Salt on No Foreign Land.