Mid November

We stayed in Savusavu for a couple of weeks and then sailed out again to Taveuni. We love being in Vurevure bay. The beauty and the friendliness of the people make it really special.
On November 17th we took the bus into Somosomo to pick up Berenice and Savaad. They arrived by ferry just after noon. We managed to find a man with a van who agreed to wait while we shopped and then take us around the side of the island where INTENTION is moored. We bought fresh fruit at the roadside stands and a bit of meat and other items at the grocery store.
At last we arrived at the pearl farm back in Vurevure Bay where the dinghy was tied. We packed luggage and groceries in the dinghy as well as ourselves and made it out to INTENTION.

Berenice, Jim and Alice purchase fruit at a roadside stand

Entrance to Claude and Danial’s Civa Pearl Farm

INTENTION waiting for us. Jim Henning’s copra farm in the background

The following morning we packed a lunch and headed for Bouma Waterfalls. We walked part of the way and then a kind fellow picked us up and gave us a ride. Accept for some tourist just passing through, most of the day we had the falls all to ourselves.

Alice, Jim and Savaad slathering up for the walk

The first and best of the Bouma Waterfalls

Berenice enjoys a swim in pool

Savaad in the clear water

Jim dives from ledge behind the falls

On our walk returning from the falls, we passed by the local primary school just as the kids were getting out. They accompanied us, telling us about the plants along the way. One boy climbed a tree to get us a green coconut water to drink. They sang songs while we waited out the rain under a shelter. Delightful.

Greeted with, “give me five.”

Determined to get a coconut for us

A couple sticks and an old tire gives hours of entertainment

There is one man in Vurevure Village who has a truck. We arranged for him to give us a ride to Lavena and to pick us up in the late afternoon after our coastal walk. At 8am we were climbing into the truck and off to where the road ends. Again we packed a lunch for a full day’s excursion.
On the trail we passed what appeared to be burial grounds. The graves are decorated with fabric torn in ribbons. Further down the path Jim and Savaad took interest in a tin canoe made of corrugated metal. Again we met Louie on the trail and he invited us to come to his house for tea on the way back.

Hugs along the trail

Burial site along the path

Jim admires innovation in local tin outrigger canoe

Suspension bridge over a rushing river

We picnicked near the river and then walked the path to the waterfall. Because of the recent rain the volume of water was great and the current was strong. The logs that had been stuck vertical in the passage way were now horizontal in the water. Savaad and Jim swam up the river and through the passage to the falls. Berenice and I, Alice, watched from the rocks.

A lovely shaded spot near the river.

River coming from the falls

Savaad and Jim make their way over rocks and logs to the waterfall

Fijian walking across the water

On the way back we stopped at Louie’s. The rain had started and we were happy for the hot lemon leaf tea and fresh cucumbers from the garden. The children were full of smiles. We all enjoyed each others company.

The village where Louie lives

Louie’s wife, children and Savaad

Berenice enjoys the happy children

And so does Savaad

Louie is the man to go to for lobster. He said if the ocean was calm enough he would get some for us. The next morning I rose at 6am to see if Louie was on shore waving. That would be our signal that he had lobster for us. No Louie that morning but a fabulous sunrise.

Sunrise in Vurevure bay

Jim Henning’s farm of rolling hills and coconut palms is a beautiful sight. The four of us went to visit. Jim, who is 80, has a good sense of humor. He said he’d been watching us. Savaad replied that we’d been watching him too. We all got a laugh. After chatting for a while, we went for a stroll over the hills and down the beach.

Berenice collecting shells along the shore

We also took a dinghy ride up the river. The reflection of the trees in the still water creates a feeling of serenity. Eventually we came to a village. Beyond the village the river is not passable.

A thousand shades of green reflected in the still water

A child plays on Billybong, bamboo raft, as his sister looks on

Louie did show up on shore with lobster the last day Berenice and Savaad were here. We had a wonderful farewell meal of lobster dipped in hot butter. For desert we finished off the bottle of delicious Frangelico they brought.
It was such a delight to have them with us. We hope they come again and stay longer.