Savu Savu update

Here's the latest update from Fiji, probably my last for at least a week, maybe two. Some of this is cut and pasted from an email i sent to some of youse, but I wanted to repaste it and add to it too.

I made it quite safely from LAX ( a sucky airport) to Nadi (pronounced Nan-di) and then hopped a leedle plane to Labasa (lam-ba-sa). I met Cathy and Peter there. They had dentist appointments there and were VERY happy with them, as the town is full of Indo-Fijjians who perform very good dental work for VERY VERY Cheap). We had lunch which was some amazing indian food and then we hopped a bus which was very crowded, but it hadn't any windows are doors, so it was lovely and breezy, whichi s good because it is very hot here. At least in the 80s, but not as humid as atlanta. it was a bumpy 3 hour ride and the roads are in mediocore condition. The terrain is very sharply moutainous but covered in lush vegitation. Mangos and pappayas and coconuts grow like crazy all over the place, and the little villages are very spare and humble. But everyone has a little plot and a garden and a cow or goat tied up and some chickens. The houses are often no more than one or two rooms, but the people take a lot of pride and usually paint them a colorful light pink, or blue, or yellow, or orange. The windows often dont have glass, but have very pretty little curtains which blow softly in the breeze. Savu Savu bay sits nestled at the bottom of a steep mountainous ridge with a few gorgoius europian houses perched up high, but consisting mostly of modest but colorful dwellings. There are a few mongrol dogs that seem to belong to nobody roaming around, but I havn't seen a single cat.

Yesterday a cruise ship came in and thousands of blobs inundated s.s. but today they are all gone, and its market day on saturday and the place is buzzing with locals. we are refueling the boat, stocking up on water, and preparing to leave on monday. Our weather is happily working for us, and the winds will be jUST RIGHT on monday to make for the Lao group. It will be a 115 mile sail and should take a little over a day...a day and a night really to get us there. Once there we'll probably cruise around the islands there for around a week, maybe a bit longer. Cathy says that there is SOME cell reception, so mumsie, i should be able to get some texts to you every other day or so. IF NOT, Cathy can email dad from the boat, and I shall expect him to contact you to let u know I'm okay.

Its been drizzling since last night, and its a slow moving front, so it will probably be a bit icky for a few days. Calm, but icky. It DOES allow us the winds to travel to the Lao group, so we are thankful none the less for the ickyness, but it will be a bit of a damp voyage. Cath and Peter will be putting me on watch (3 on, 6 off with the three of us) so I'll actually be sailing Leto in the night!!! woooowwwie!!!

I expect some amazing snorkling once we arrive, and also visiting several of about 5 local villages that live on the islands. We should expect a traditional Kava ceremony and we'll give them gifts as well. I've bought fish hooks and spam (they LOOOVE spam and cornbeef, which cathy says is because they still ahve a taste for human flesh!ewwwww!!)

The locals, i must reitereate, are exceedingly friendly, especially now that the blobs are gone off in the cruise ship and we're not taken to be one of them.

Breakfast is just wonderful on teh boat. We at ePapyya, mango, pineapple and bananas (all grown locally,) along with bran and yogurt and cathy and peter make a fine cup of strong cofffee. The local brew (fiji bitter) is pretty good for 3:50/ bottle. (which is less in american dollar....2:75ish i'm estimating). Its funny because you hear a lot of western music eminating from the restaurents, bars and clubs. Certainly some jimmy buffet, plus contemporary music i hate that plays on the radio back home, especially bad 90s pop like matchbox twenty...and right now in the internet cafe the eagles are playing "welcome to the old town california"

Internet cafe next to Bula-Re is SOOO cheap, last time I was on just less than an hour and only paid 1.65. Highly recommended. We spend quite a bit of time at the Copra Shed marina, which is where i consume that deliciously cheap Fiji Bitter, and later today we're returning to the Planter's Club, which is frequented by the decendents of the old planters and is a bit quieter than the marina, and commands lovely views of the Savu Savu Bay. They also sell well priced Fiji Bitter Long necks, which Peter and I like to share.

Once we leave on monday I shan't have internet access for at least week, and probably longer. I've forgotten my USB cord, so i'm unable to upload any pictures this go round, but I"ll promice some later in the trip. THere's time!!! I probably won't get your responses (mom, dad, and durka, i got YOUR resposnes from yesterday, thank yoU!).

I can think of nothing more to add, except that its just heavenly here. I can't wait to really set out and see the more remote Lao Islands just beyond the Garden Isle of Taveuni. If any plans change (as they often do on a sailboat) I'll be sure to update you as soon as possible. Much love to everyone.
Smooches and hugs to EVERYONE!!!!

love crafty crofty

ps. funny story, while going for a pee on the boat in the middle of the night last night, I noticed glowing things floating around-no more like dashing around the loo....phosphoresence....SOOO coool, and a very unexpected place to see them.\
Please forgive the horrible editing, i just don't have much time!!! More to come in a week or two!!! thanks to all for reading!

cheers, and i miss you all very much

ooh, another funny story. The methodists (who very strongly influence the local culture-very pious they are) recently held a convention on the north side of the island and apparently slaughtered, ate, and wasted A LOT OF TURTLES. A local western man, who makes tee-shirts, created a tee that Said "Save a Turtle: Eat a Methodist"-and you can imagine he got in a fair bit of trouble for that one. BUt that strikes me as HILAROUS and if i can get my hands on one, i will!!! Bwahahahaha