Our last full day in Fiji on the boat we stopped at Nabukeru in the Yasawa Group which is a group of twenty volcanic islands. They are very mountainous and were first visited by William Bligh in 1789 following the mutiny on the Bounty. On this stop we had a couple of interesting activities. First of all we were free to visit the village on our own with the zodiacs making constant trips to the beach so the four of us set off to explore. The village is set on a beautiful stretch of white sand with mountains in the background but the village itself sits on level ground and there were lots of small gardens and many fruit trees scattered about. The villagers knew that we would be coming ashore throughout the day so many had set up small souvenir stalls on blankets along the beach. Unlike the other villages that we had been so lucky to visit that never got visitors this village has the Blue Lagoon Cruise stop at it every week so they are much more versed in how to make money from the tourists where as at our other stops this did not arise. The chief welcomed us as we came ashore and told us to please wander at will. We stopped to admire the only house other than the chiefs which was freshly painted and had a lovely hedge around it and the next thing we knew the woman of the house had Tina and I inside visiting while her husband took Eric and Steve for a garden tour.. they were the parents of the village minister who had moved there a few months ago and as he was their only son and single they moved with him to look after him. After our visit her husband gave the four of us a personal tour of the village and walked us to the boat to bid us farewell.
The next part of our adventure was a visit and swim in the caves on the uninhabited island across from the village. After climbing up a staircase outside,then passing through a small door you go down a steep set of stairs then jump into the deep clear waters of the cave. It was quite the sight to look up at the walls of the cave where the sun shone through the small opening. The appearance reminded one of a cathedral.
After a farewell dinner and a fond goodbye to those that had worked hard to show us a good time the next morning we disembarked in Lautoka where we then travelled over land to Nadi where we spent the night before going to Samoa. We stayed at the Sofitel Hotel in a large gated area which had several resorts and many beautiful homes,golf courses , restaurants, shopping areas beaches and more. This is a very popular area and probably one that a lot of people that come to Fiji is is all they see which is a real shame because the heart of the country I feel is in all those villages that we were so lucky to visit.
Beautiful beach of the village
Typical houses of the villagers
Women of the village hoping to sell us something. Unfortunately it was all imported and the same at every stall. Was hoping for something handmade.
This little guy made his own horse out of driftwood
The family bathroom. At least it is not cold at night
The chiefs house which was by far the best home in the village
The men of the village were performing a kava ceremony and offering some to any of us that wanted to partake
Entrance to the caves
Clear water was a mixture of salt and fresh water. Colder than the ocean but very refreshing
Unique experience to swim in the cave totally surrounded by rock and with towering walls above you
Second cave was accessed by an underwater tunnel
Our last night dinner on the Silver Explorer being looked after by our favourite waiter Ramil who from the first day went out of his way to make sure our meals were exceptional. He took great delight in presenting us with special desserts he concocted. He made our trip special.
Ramil and the bar staff singing a farewell song.
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