Tales of "Hiraeth"

2013 The Story So Far

It is now August and the year has flown by.
We have had a great time these last 8 months.
A fabulous January up in the Yasawa's at Matacawalevu with Ratu Salema Navoti and his wife Adi Sova. February/March saw us at Beqa and Suva for a few weeks, also catching up with Teka Nova, Terry and Christine.
With the BAD team arriving for 4 weeks in April/May we were ready to kick back and enjoy some time with the folks. The time passed far too quick but we will remember their time with us and laugh at all the exploits/adventures we had!!
If you missed the BAD experience go to 'BAD Tours Fiji' on Facebook for a pictorial timeline on their stay!
June/July and half of August saw us at Kadavu, Lau and Namena, for some great sailing, diving and socialising with other cruisers.
We are now at Savusavu waiting for a weather window to head to Futuna to do a visa run, which will recharge the boat visa for another 18 months.
I will try to include the best pictures from the last 8 months and explain a bit about them, enjoy!!

BEQA

How many kids to sink the dinghy?

Three boys guiding us to the village the other side of the island, but would not come down to the village as their school was there, they were worried their teacher would see them and give them a row for not being at school!!

KADAVU - Dravuni village

Painted plastic bottles add a touch of colour to the school fence.

Not a bad spot!

Sailing/racing to Nabowalu, we gave them a head start!!

LAU - Fulaga Village

Famous throughout Fiji for their skill in woodwork. The men carve Tanoa bowls (Kava bowls) out of the Vesi wood, along with beautifull carving of parrots and turtles that they sell all over Fiji.

We were priviled to be asked to attend a farewell Meke for the Beche De Mere gatherers

Fulaga lagoon - 20 boats disappeared easily!

Don't mess with the local crabs!!

Chiko with her new necklace!!

Carving the Tanoa bowls

Coconut crab, looked very prehistoric!

Dropped in to check the anchor and came back with tea!!

Making plates for lunch!

NAMUKA-I-LAU

The women of Namuka make the Masi cloth, Tapa cloth in Tonga.

Worn during weddings and funerals or given as gifts to children on their births, 21st birthdays, school graduation etc.

A branch of a tree similar to the mulberry bush is stripped of it's bark and soaked in water, then bashed with a mallet until it becomes paper thin, then soaked in water and left to dry, then some are glued together using tree resin to make mats 8 feet by 6 feet.

The dyes are natural roots and clay, with the templates cut out of plastic.

Designs are up to the individuals.

The large Masi cloth in this series is heading to the Prime Minister in Suva.

The design on the new Fiji Airbus tail is by a woman from this vilage.