We motor-sailed today from Albert Cove on the north end of Rabi to Katherine Bay on the south side. Rabi is only about 12 miles long, so it was a relatively short trip. In fact, these jaunts are the tiring ones because you have to put everything away (dinghy outboard, dinghy, misc stuff that accumulates on deck, etc, etc) and then get it out again three or four hours later when you re-anchor. Oh well, complain, complain.
Anyway, the highlight of the day was our trip ashore at Katherine Bay. Not because anyone was very friendly. They were not, for the most part. The adults ashore didn’t go out of their way to even say hello which is most unusual. But, the kids were so fun. We were quickly adopted by four little ones between the age of 6 and 13. They escorted us through their village, into the next one and back. They only dropped behind when we walked down the road outside the village. At the point the houses ended the kids said they couldn’t go any further. We thanked them for showing us around and went on our way little knowing they would be waiting at the dinghy to help us back in the water almost an hour later.
Our guides to Katherine Bay.
They were pretty silly...
Very cute!
...and fun...
...and of course, they adored Ann!
The highlight of our time with the kids was when Ann showed them how to “whistle” by putting pieces of grass between your hands and blowing. A couple of them picked it up and were able to do it. We’re thinking we have now forever changed their culture. Cruisers will come here a year from now and be serenaded by people whistling with blades of grass.
Some shots of town:
"Main Street" on Katherine Bay.
A streetlight.
A woman who had been out collecting pandanas leaves for weaving.
Another step before weaving-you have to dry the pandanas leaves
One of the entries into town from the bay through the mangroves.
Charisma happily waiting for us back on the bay.
They start 'em with a machete pretty young here.
So, a quiet night and then we’re moving on another 25 miles down to the south end of Taveuni tomorrow (hopefully, weather permitting-there’s some rain coming but it’s not clear whether tomorrow or later). It’s a place called “Paradise Resort”. From there we can get a taxi up into Somosomo to resupply. We’re out of wine-sigh-and other essentials. I made a green curry tonight with the leftovers from last night and our last carrot. All we have left in the way of veggies is some potatoes that are sprouting. So we hope for paradise tomorrow with all the irony that statement brings.
We’ll see.