By Ann

Turtles are a big deal around the world. After all, they are endangered. Heck, people tattoo them all over their bodies. I have always felt that loving turtles was a “band wagon” thing. You know, everyone loves turtles so I should too. I have resisted. I am always delighted when I see one in the anchorage or swimming under my paddle board but that was the best I could do. Today I love turtles.

We were sitting in the cockpit with our morning coffee when we heard Graham, off of Maunie, hailing a sailboat outside the Fulunga passage. We are always interested in new arrivals but today the new arrivals were much more important. Why? Because Linda and Bob on Bright Angel were shining again. We have been hoping they would come join us in Fulunga (a repeat destination for them too) but many issues, including weather have kept them away. They have offered to ferry “copious amounts of beer and wine” – exact quote – to Fulunga for us to extend our stay not to mention fresh veggies. Another good reason to wish for their arrival. But weather has kept them away.

Meanwhile a few days ago in Savusavu, where Bright Angel currently resides, several other boats were heading to Fulunga. Our Bright Angels took advantage of this fact and packed a care package for Charisma! We heard about it on the Bula net (a cruiser’s radio net) last night. They asked about a specific boat, Cap Tres, that we heard from yesterday’s new arrivals, had given up bashing to Fulunga and headed to Vanua Balavu instead. That’s when Bright Angel Bob told us about their precious cargo. We were thrilled by their thoughtfulness and were heartsick that it looked like Cap Tres had been unable to make the delivery.

So this morning as we listened to Graham hail the sailboat off of Fulunga we both looked at each other wistfully wishing it was Cap Tres. In fact, Bob turned to me and said, “Pray woman! Make it so!” And I prayed. And imagined wine, beer and fresh vegetables that were not cassava root. Where is the turtle in all of this, you ask? Well, as I finished my prayer I looked up and straight into the eyes of a turtle about 10 feet off of Charisma. It was talking to me. Telling me good things….”Yes, that is Cap Tres!”, the turtle said. And he was right!!!!

Yay! Beer and wine (and some food). Thank you Bright Angel Bob and Linda!

As I told the village chief this afternoon when I took in pictures of the canoe launch, the turtles in Fulunga have acted as special messengers for me, often giving me reassurance while moving anchorages. The chief liked that idea. And we loved our care package! Wine, beer, eggs, cucumbers, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, smoked salmon, eggplant, carrots and cabbage. Happy dance on Charisma! We love you, Bright Angel!

Vinaka vaka levu! Many thanks!

From Bob: Yes Ann went into the village by herself today while I worked on a slide show we’re putting together for the village. She went in by herself on her paddleboard. Nice. When she got back I asked how it went. Her comment: “Oh, I had kava with the chief”.