Captains Log

Over the last fortnight we have completed another Heritage Cruise (3rd to 10th January) and a week in the Yasawas.  Despite this being the low season from a tourism point of view we have still had welcomed a great mixture of nationalities (from both the northern and southern hemispheres); and also great to see so many local people getting to know about our cruises and taking the opportunity to experience more of their own country.

Most Australians and New Zealanders, in particular, know that this time of the year is “the cyclone season” but, in fact, it also the best time of the year to cruise throughout this region as, for the most part, the winds are light and the days bright, sunny and warm – the occasional afternoon or evening cleansing shower or thunder storm (which can be very spectacular) but rarely a cyclone – in fact we had none at all last year and so far this year have not even had the hint of one!  

Saturday took us to the Bourma Waterfall (both passengers and crew enjoyed the dip) before a picnic lunch. Returning to the ship in the afternoon we readied ourselves for what for me is the highlight of the trip. The visit to Naselesele village where Ratu Talema and his elders cordially greets us with the traditional Sevu sevu, and I mean traditional welcome, with young warriors and yours truly taking the lead at the kava bowl (tanoa). Ratu Tameli and I, along with his elders, had a very spirited discussion as to the outcome of the Rugby World Cup.

Captain Brian

On Saturday we visited Bouma Falls National Park on Taveuni Island (otherwise known as Fiji’s Garden Island) where most people, including many of the crew, enjoyed swimming under the falls before having a picnic lunch at the park headquarters. During the evening we visited Naselesele Village to enjoy a Kabu, including a very formal and traditional chiefly sevu sevu ceremony (kava ceremony) followed by our lovo dinner and meke (Fijian concert). Geographically, Saturday was spent in the Western Hemisphere and so if it wasn’t for the International Dateline being diverted to the east of the country, Reef Endeavour would actually have arrived at Taveuni on Friday evening – some six hours before leaving Savusavu!

Captain Chris