That’s the universal Fijian greeting. We say it to everyone we meet on the street. With gusto! We probably say “Bula!” 30 times a day as we’re walking in town. The reply is also “Bula” along with a very big and sincere smile. Very nice people, the Fijians.

So, quick update since its late and we’re tired:

We went for an eight mile hike around one side of the island today. We ended the hike at the Coustou Resort. It’s a very upscale and fancy (but low key) resort along the water. I think run by a relative of Jacques. They graciously, but somewhat grudgingly allowed us “pond scum” to sit at their bar and have a fruit smoothie. Then we headed back into town.

Our injectors and injector pump almost made it back today. They got hung up in Labasa and won’t make it here until Monday. But at least we know we can get to work trying to get the engine working in another day or so. Cross all your fingers it all goes back together so we can get moving on.

Three other delightful “cruising moments” completed the day:
1. A new boat pulled in this morning to the mooring right next to us. After hiking all day and coming back, I took a nap, but Ann was out in the cockpit when one of the crew of the boat next door came over with HALF of a Mahi Mahi that they caught on the way into Savusavu Bay. They had too much, would we like some? Duh! So I made a delicious Sautéed Mahi fillet on a bed of Bok Choy in garlic pepper sauce. Yum.

2. As we were sitting in the cockpit finishing dinner in the dusky evening, watching the moonrise, a dinghy came by. We could recognize the profiles of our buds on Gato Go and asked them aboard. We got to hear their stories of taking the bus across the island and other adventures of the day. As we all commented-in our previous lives we mostly came home, opened the garage door, drove in, closed the garage door and went in the house, never to see or talk to the neighbors. Here, we’re an integral part of the landscape and a big part of the enjoyment is how exposed you are to the world, and therefore how many people we get to meet and enjoy.

3. Jan from “Slipaway” dropped by this afternoon while I was taking my nap. She and Ann sat up on the foredeck and yacked for 45 minutes or so and she invited us to dinner tomorrow night. Um, YES!

Just another couple of cruising moments…