July 23, 2015 Somosomo to Waya, Fiji

July 23, 2015 
Somosomo to Waya

Next day we headed on south, hoping to get into a more protected bay before the strong winds which were predicted came up. Once again we were foiled in our attempt to sail and motored most of the way.  There are lots of reefs along this stretch and it was necessary to keep a sharp lookout.  There were waves breaking on the reefs on both sides of us but Alan steered a good course and we pulled into Rurugu Bay at the north end of Waya with no incidents.  The bay was filled with boats from the ICA but we managed to find a spot.  Several more boats came in after us and we were all anchored pretty close together.  That night the wind came up and we all tossed around but luckily no one dragged and in the morning several of the other boats took off, giving us some breathing room.  Last time we were here, Captain Ame had asked for charts to use to teach navigation to the young men in the village so we decided to stop by and see how he was doing.  It is going well.  Other cruisers have gotten the word and have also donated books and charts.  He is teaching every evening.

Octopus Resort is just over the hill from this village and many of the villagers work there.  We had heard that there was a path and set out to follow it.  We started off fine, concrete steps up from the beach and along the waterfront.  There was one point where another path branched off but it did not look very well maintained so we continued on our way.  Before too much longer we heard squealing and suddenly found ourselves in a pig farm.  Pigs were everywhere.  Most of them in rough cages made out of sticks pounded into the ground but a number of them running around loose.  Along with the big ones, there were lots of babies. Suddenly we realized… tourist resort = traditional Fijian feast every week = need lots of pigs.   On we went, through the pigs and across a field and past a cemetery until we came to a little house set on the beach where we were loudly accosted by Joe.  We were invited to come into his house and sit and eat papaya and talk.  He lives way out here alone and does not get many visitors.  Eventually we decided we needed to get going.  When he asked where we were going we said Octopus .  Then we realized that his house is all the way at the end of the beach against the hill.  There is no way to go farther along the beach.  We had missed the path.  After teasing us and laughing, Joe summoned a young girl and told her to guide us back to the main path and make sure we did not get lost again.

So back through the trees and up the hill until we cam to the main path where she decided that we would be able to find our way.  Up the hill on a rutted dirt path which changed to cement steps at the top, sort of like crossing a county line.  We arrived at the resort as the supply ship was unloading.  It was a fairly breezy day and the little supply boat was anchored just outside the breaker line, bouncing around.  The tailgate was down and 50 gallon drums  were rolled off the boat and into the ocean.  The hotel staff was in the water and as each drum came splashing down they grabbed it and swam it to shore where another team pushed it out of the water and rolled it up the beach.   The resort was charming with a pool and sand floored restaurant.  After an excellent lunch, we climbed back up the hill and down the other side.  Just as we reached the top of the hill we got a facetime call from Audrey and the boys.  So there we were, on top of a hill on an island in the South Pacific talking to California, realtime with video.  Love it.