Captains Log

On Saturday we anchored at Malau (Vanua Levu’s main sugar export port) and passengers were bussed into the town of Labasa. Here we were treated to a show of Indian traditional dancing and music performed by local people (Labasa has the largest Indo Fijian community in Fiji). We were then free to explore the town, including the very busy market selling fresh fruit and vegetables and the nearby fish market with its amazing array of fresh fish.

Over lunch we steamed southward to the mouth of the Dreketi River, Fiji’s deepest river. Here we experienced a boat trip up the river which took a great deal longer than expected (mainly due to the strong current), but perseverance paid off when we finally arrived at a landing near a village where we were (very unexpectedly) greeted by nearly the whole village and accorded a sevusevu ceremony. By the time we left the site it was dark, but we were able to navigate the river by moonlight (and with the help of a local guide), returning to ship at 7.30pm. Fortunately the return downstream trip was considerably faster than the earlier upstream trip.

Captain Chris