Bula, Bula
We've had a wonderful time in the Yasawas. Mana Island - Vadra Island - Cuva Bay - Soso Bay - Navualaki Bay. The procedure is the same at each new village. After anchoring we dingy ashore with our gift of yanquona (kava root) and place it on the ground in front of the chief or his Turaga (spokesman) We all sit cross-legged in a circle, and the Turaga makes a long speech of welcome (in Fijian) accompanied by much clapping and grunts of assent from the other villagers, and then we are given the freedom to walk around the village, and to fish and swim in their waters. The process is the same in each village we visit - these are by our standards very primitive villages - no roads, cars, shops or lights. But the people really seem very happy, and thrilled to share what they have with us.
Mie's birthday began at 0330 hours, when the wind and sea suddenly got up with heavy driving rain. I rushed up to lay out a second anchor as the reef was only about 20 metres behind us and I was anxious about dragging. I threw the fortress anchor and its chain over the bow, when I realised that there was no rope attached. So I let out as much chain as I dared and we stayed put. We had to move off the next morning as we had big waves, and I tried to get down with my scuba gear to retrieve the anchor. Conditions were not really very safe, and I was delighted when some locals kindly agreed to dive for us. They found the anchor and chain in 10 metres of very turbulent water. We gave them a wet-suit and some fins (yours I'm afraid Dag) & they were delighted. We moved on to Navalauki Bay on North Waya, and had a lovely day with Mazy, demolishing the Magnum of Veuve Cliquot together with a lot of New Zealand Chardonnay. I think Mie regarded it as a really memorable birthday. The reefs and fish here are unbelievable, and we're off for more snorkelling now.
19 July 2000
14 July 2000
12 July 2000
10 July 2000
5 July 2000
1 July 2000
30 June 2000
29 June 2000
24 June 2000
18 June 2000
16 June 2000
14 June 2000
12 June 2000
10 June 2000
9 June 2000
May 2000
April 2000
March 2000
February 2000
January 2000