Menu Close

Blog

Makogai Island

bungendore

Just after setting off at first light for Makogai Island, a large pod of what we think were small whales was sighted. They were larger than dolphins but had heads like whales. Anyway we were excited because this was our first close encounter with any whales since the start of our trip. 

Our guide book informed us that “sevusevu” was required on this island so we all covered our knees and shoulders with respectable attire and gave some kava to a man on the island (he said he was the chief) who then showed us around the small research centre with some turtle and clam hatcheries. We think he was an employee of the department of fisheries rather the the village headman though. The island also used to be a leper colony and we were shown around some of the graves and what remained of some of the buildings.

Paul and Holly went snorkelling on a couple of really good bommies and saw some giant clams, real big ones!

Savusavu, Fiji

bungendore

We left Taveuni Island for Savusavu which is a small town on Vanua Levu. We were keen to get a few provisions and pick up some gifts to send home with Dave and Cathy. While we were there, some of us were struck by some kind of mystery illness and on talking to people on other boats found out quite a few had had similar symptoms spread out over several days. We hadn’t all come from the same place and hadn’t had physical contact with any of them. Anyway, we are all ok now.

From our mooring at Savusavu. Freewheel is the sky blue boat in the background.

We stayed on a mooring for a few days enjoying a bit of civilization and the Copra Shed Marina bar with other boats – Babe, Freewheel, Equinox, Dulcinea, Alchemy II. Sadly, we also said goodbye to Dave and Cathy.

Paul and Holly got their dive tickets

bungendore

A few days were spent at the Paradise resort on Taveuni island and Paul and Holly took the opportunity to get their PADI open water scuba dive tickets. The resort is close to the rainbow reef and our excursion out to the “cabbage patch” and “Pandora’s box” reefs was very special. While the divers were doing their main deep dives, the rest of us had a guided snorkel tour. The snorkelling was fabulous!

Albert Cove, Rabi Island

bungendore

Albert cove on Rabi Island is a little gem. The fringing reef was great for snorkeling and the beach was white sand lined with coconut trees. There isn’t a village in this bay but there were a couple of families living just back from the beach. We visited Derek and his wife Mariana (?) and their visiting grandchildren and they gave their permission for us to use their bay. Dave gave them his old wetsuit, an old snorkel mask and a women’s magazine and they seemed very happy with that. We stayed for a few days.

The grandchildren