SAILING TO TAVEUNI---AT LAST

Today we left Savusavu for Taveuni island. I got a late start si I have stopped for the night at a little bay called Fawn Harbor. Try to find that on Google Earth.

Actually, it is quite pretty although there is no reason I can see to launch the dinghy and go ashore. I AM AMAZED that I have internet service here.

Yesterday I watched some boys as they scraped and cleaned a pig they had just killed. Some very hot geothermal springs are in Savusavu but they are not pretty in the least.

Nearby was a school which had an interesting sign. I must say, I couldn't agree more.

HOW IS YOUR GLASS?

Is your glass half empty or half full?
I have observed Fijians enjoying the company of each other while sharing a beer. I do mean literally SHARING a beer. Usually 4-6 Fijians will sit down and have a pleasant conversation. A small portion of beer will then be poured into a small glass, about the size of a small fruit juice glass we are served when we order a SMALL glass of orange juice with our breakfast. About 1/4 to 1/3 of the glass is filled with beer. The glass is then passed by the person responsible for pouring the beer to one of the drinkers who consumes the beer at a leisurely pace. A similar amount of beer is again dispensed and the glass is passed along to the next participant. Eventually, everyone drinks from the same glass and the process is repeated until the bottle is empty.
No one gulps down more than another and the pace of consumption is, as I have said, leisurely. Only one glass is ever used by the participants reggardless of their number. The designated dispenser usually does not drink but makes sure the glass is passed along fairly to each drinker. No one is seen to become beligerent or combative. The soft conversation is punctuated with laughter.
I used to think of my glass as half empty or half full. It seems to me that the Fijians are quite happy to simply see that their glass "Is".

PREPARING TO SAIL AWAY

Today, Friday 6/12/09 was spent preparing to leave Savusavu for Taveuni Island. Most of the repairs have been completed but the main sail is not ready yet. I will have to return to Savusavu to pick it up. As it turns out, I have to return to Savusavu anyway in order to check out and proceed South. The customs folks have some very odd rules and if you accidentally violate one of them it will result in a very stiff fine. You really must cross the "T"s and dot the "I"s.

Taveuni promises to be more senic and is said to have some great diving. I'm anxious to take some underwater pictures for the blog.

This afternoon George ran into Rakeesh, the Indian gentleman who invited us to lunch. George had prepared a very nice DVD of our visit with still and video clips of Rakeesh and his delightful wife and children. I think this will become a family treasure. Here is a picture of Rakeesh aboard Torrid.

Today, I was again humbled by the quiet dignity of the Fijians. At least 25% of the people I saw in town were shoeless yet they were not embarassed and others did not act superior.

We Americans are truly blessed, yet how very few of us count our blessings instead of bemoaning that which we don't have? A lesson in humility was learned be me today. These are good people, going about their lives playing the cards which have been dealt them and not complaining about what they don't have.

REMEMBERING MY FATHER

This evening I was treated to another spectacular sunset which I'm happy to share.

A little float plane is in the foreground.

While taking the photos I remembered how my father used to love to take photographs of sunsets while we were living on Guam. Some of his pictures, taken with a 35mm SLR camera and presented on slides were quite stunning. I'm sure he enjoyed sharing his photos with his family in Minnesota. I'm honored to carry on the tradition.

Today was relatively quiet as I am still awaiting my sails. However, I was able to have my refrigeration brought up to speed--as well as could be expected. I had all of the worn hose clamps on my engine replaced. I was also able to find and fix the source of the fuel leak in my starboard fuel tank. Apparently the young man who installed the system in Hawaii failed to tighten a connection properly.

I also lubricated 4 of my winches, one of which had frozen. I'm happy to state that all the serviced winches are working very smoothly and can be turned by the pressure of one finger.

Curly

The resident "Go to" guy in Savusavu is Curly, a Kiwi who seems to have all the connections in Fiji. His help in getting repairs done on Torrid has been outstanding. Here is a picture of Curly presiding over an informal desert contest held at the Savusavu Yacht Club.

For visiting "Yachties" it is imperative they meet with Curly. Frankly, Curly is so outgoing and helpful that it would be practically impossible for them NOT to meet him.

Hats off to "Curly"

First hot shower

After nearly a month at sea it was quite refreshing to FINALLY enjoy a hot shower.

The genius who installed my new engine in Hawaii neglected to hook up the hot water hose from my engine. Cold, sea water showers are the rule, especially on long passages as fresh water is the most precious commodity on board.

Nevertheless, George was relieved to not have to be constantly upwind from me.

A quiet Monday

Today was quite lazy as I'm awaiting parts and the return of my sails.
I did manage to start up my Hookah diving compressor for the first time. It promises to make diving an exceptional experience.
The photo is of George with his barracuda. I mislabeled an earlier picture and identified a tuna as a barracuda.
Yes, I know the difference. I guess I was in a rush.