The final stop in Fiji, Savusavu, is a very vacation-like village, popular with the yachting groups from New Zealand and Australia. There are 8000 people that live here and work mostly in the coconut oil, and black pearl industries as well as resorts that cater to the snorkelers and divers. According to the port talk, it is more about nature here with hot springs for cooking food in the ground, kava ceremonies, and a marketplace with 150 vendors selling jewelry, carvings, some clothing and produce. There is one certified? pearl shop that is reportedly a 10 minute walk from the tender landing. The name is J. Hunter Pearls and perhaps the only place to buy the "real" authentic rare and lustrous pearls.
Tendering meant tender tickets, but not for our group. We would be able to go over to shore anytime joining the next available tender. Of course, the tour groups would go first. There were six excursions today starting with a waterfall and rainforest trek for 3 ½ hours and $90. A traditional Fiji village tour was next for 3 hours and $90 with green coconut juice served. Savusavu sight-seeing was 4 hours and $110 and snorkeling with Cousteau for 2 hours was also $110, but you got a drink and a cookie. You were not really snorkeling with the famous Cousteau's but using their resort as a base. A cultural exchange and waterfall was 3 ½ hours for $130, while a visit to a chocolate farm and factory was 1 ½ hours for $130 which included tastings.
So, we had two different days, which is rare for us. One of us had an appointment with the doctor onboard, while the other went ashore for a few hours. The medical center visit was most thorough, the same as at home. Health forms had to be filled out before I could be seen by the nicest lady doctor. I was asked if I objected to a Covid test, and I said it was fine….do it. At least I would know what to blame the illness on. I tested negative, thank goodness. After checking the current meds I take, she prescribed antibiotics, a cough medicine, and another important prescription I was taking, but ran out. These were filled while I waited, which total time, it was an hour. So glad we had taken out a good medical coverage on this trip as we know the cost of going here can be very high. Sometimes you have no choice. The rest of the time I worked on 2 reports before I forgot what we did.
While sitting on the veranda, gathering notes, there was a knock on the door. We had gotten another card saying that the verandas would be cleaned. Again? We did not read it right, and it was the carpets that were being shampooed. It took all of 15 minutes, but it left the rug really damp and smelling like oranges. At least we know it is clean and maybe some of the shedding will stop since the carpet is new.
In the meantime, Bill took off for a tenderboat ride to shore when open tenders were called. He had a fine time walking the town and checking out a new marketplace that had been completed since we were here last year. Dropped off at The Copra Shed Marina, he recalled how wet we got last time when the skies opened up. Today it stayed dry, although the cloud cover was heavy most of the day. It was still very hot in town with little breeze. There are always souvenir tables set up along Main Street, and he decided to look at some of the pearl items being sold. Granted, these items are authentic Fijian pearls but are the culls of the lot. Still, they make nice necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Even though I said do not buy anything, he knew it might make my day bringing back a neat-looking bracelet of black pearls. And he was right. After 58 years of being married, he knows me well.
Around 2:30pm, we ordered two plates of burger sliders and one plate of chicken nuggets with fries. Yes, they are on the kid's menu, but it was just enough to tide us over to dinner.
The Captain came on with his talk saying goodbye to Savusavu and the country of Fiji. Once he picked up the anchor, we would sail to the next country of Tonga, 428 nautical miles away. Being that it was too far for a one-day sailing, he would take a full day at sea and arrive on Monday. Also the clocks would need to go forward one hour tonight to be on Tonga time. We can expect the temps to be 78 degrees, and that's all he said. He is a man of few words.
Dinner was not attended by a lot of diners since there was A Lido Fair Event held at 8:15pm. They advertised games, food, and prizes under the Lido Dome. Why they are doing these events on a port day puzzles us, when most of us are exhausted after a day in port and on tours. But what do we know?
Anyway, one of us had a bowl of doctored-up chicken noodle soup, thanks to waiter Regie. A Caesar salad and another appetizer of bruschetta was good for the other one of us. Both of us had the sweet and sour chicken plate piled high. Holy moly, we could not eat it all and there definitely was no room for a small dessert. We were back to the room by 10pm since we had already put the clocks ahead. So it was a night off of writing but watching a Star Trek movie on TV instead.
Looking forward to the lazy sea day tomorrow.
Bill & Mary Ann
