So unexpected! Let me explain. We’ve been sitting here in Fulanga in the high winds essentially trapped on the boat looking for something, anything to do and out of the blue, the village got in touch and said; “We want to do an event.” What kind of even? Well, no one was really sure. It seemed like it might be a thing where we bring stuff to donate to the school. It also seemed like it might be a farewell to the cruisers event. Whatever, we were game-let’s just go and find out.

So, despite high winds, two of the five boats in the anchorage (Kalida and Lady Nada) volunteered to ferry the rest of us around to the village, about two miles away, so we wouldn’t all have to move our boats (good on ya mates — thanks to Derek and Alison on Kalida for our ride). It was blowing 30 knots as Derek picked us up in his dinghy and brought up his anchor and headed over to the anchorage by the village.

All 14 of us cruisers who are left in Falanga (seven boats) met on the beach and began the 20 minute walk into town asking; “What do you think? What are we supposed to be doing?”

Well it turned out we were all prepared and not prepared for the day.

What we were prepared for was that there was a lot of food that the villagers were selling in order to make some money. Wonderful Roti sandwiches with fish or corned beef went for $1 Fijian (about $0.50 US)-they were delicious. There were also papayas, bananas, plantains, cassava and a variety of cakes for sale at equally amazingly slight prices. We were very happy to contribute to the cause and get some fresh produce along the way. At one point Ann and I split up and I went down the village path to see some carvings that were for sale while she stayed with the “event”. As I was leaving, someone was walking in with two cooked lobsters that were going to be for sale. I saw them and thought, “Boy, it would be great if Ann bought one of those!” Much later in the day when we got back to Charisma, Ann pulled a lobster out of her backpack and said, “Surprise, look what I bought (for $5 Fijian!)!” Guess what dinner tomorrow night is going to be 😉

So, back to the event. We brought some stuff from the boat in as gifts not knowing exactly what the event would be. Turns out part two of the day was that OUR STUFF (meaning the cruisers’) was put out on a table and the local villagers who showed up competed to buy it. It was interesting to see how it was priced and who bought it. We brought some cans of food, three plastic bowls and a couple other things. They all sold very quickly. Fortunately Ann held back a few things for “later” as well.

As things were winding down on part one of the day-the food and auction part-I left the hut and walked down village to one of the better carvers to see what they were up to and to my surprise, they were carving some beautiful bowls that I hadn’t seen before. Oblong, about 14 inches long, with intricate edges hand-carved and two turtles etched into the bottom of the bowls. Ohhhh! How much might these be, I asked and could one for us be ready by Sunday morning (when we’re planning our departure)? There was some discussion but it was decided that they would make the bowl for us by Sunday morning before church-so we may be the new proud owners of a gorgeous turtle bowl. We’ll see.

But I digress from the real story….

While I was gone, Ann and the rest of the group moved from the hut where we had lunch and the auction of sorts. They were done with the fund-raising part and we (the cruisers) were glad to have been part of it, coming away with some nice, fresh food and happy to contribute some of our goods for the betterment of the village. The next step was 100 meters up the village to a large hut that would end up holding somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 people-and importantly a big bowl of kava!

Without detailing every minute of the next two hours, I’ll just say that it was nothing short of amazing and wonderful. Before I go on, I should add that there was dancing. I might even have a picture to add later of me (Bob) dancing with our Fijian friend Sara’s 70-something year old grandma. Just she and I. In front of a village crowd of 50 or so people. It was….amazing.

Essentially the village filled the hut with song, kava and gifts for the departing cruisers. It was a farewell to end all farewells. Most of us who are left here are waiting for the winds to let us out, have been here in Fulanga for some weeks and have made friends with many in the village. Besides the general kava party and music, many of them made gifts for us. Every one of the cruisers got something different, but Ann and I received a beautiful woven handbag and a pandanas mat with our boat name “Charisma” woven into the middle of it. We were stunned and of course will treasure this for ever! Where does this generosity come from? It was wonderful. In fact, given that we have been here some weeks, as were the dozen other cruisers (some Aussies, Kiwis, Brits, Canuks and US) all of whom have formed relationships with the folks in the village, there were a lot of tears from both sides that we were leaving.

Music, kava, and sincere beautiful friendships. We were touched as never before and hope we can visit here again.

I have to end this with one vignette. Ann has noticed in the last two weeks as we have gone to church here, that one girl, about 10 years old, wears dresses that are hand sewn, but don’t have clasps to hold the dress together at the back of her neck. It doesn’t seem to bother her but Ann is a seamstress and I can see her itching every time she sees it. (I’m sorry I don’t remember the girl’s name -many of the Fijian names are unusual and hard to remember unless we’ve seen them written down). Ann found a set of 10 clasps in her sewing kit and brought them into town in the hope of seeing the little girl, even though we knew the kids would all be in school. Fortunately school let out early-it being Friday and a stormy day. The little girl came over to the farewell party and ran up to Ann with a big, “Bula!” Ann responded by pulling the set of clasps out of here pocket and giving it to the girl. I can’t even begin to describe the huge smile and look of thanks on her face. Her lovely but incomplete clothes could now be completed. We were left almost breathless by the joy such a simple gift could bring. If Ann had had a needle and thread she would have followed her home to do the repair herself!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life in paradise can be so simple and joyful and we so enjoy this opportunity to be part of it.