Captains Log

Bula,

We have just completed the Heritage Cruise and the highlight of the cruise was the crossing of the 180th meridian. Most passengers did not realize that we cross the meridian twice meaning theoretically we lost a day heading west and gained a day heading east.  This took a bit of explaining for some to grasp. Lucky we had Florian who would make a very good teacher in the classroom. Very convincing!! Our passenger divers were very delighted after their dives in Taveuni, Whispering Tide and Manava Cay. Their remarks, fantastic, awersome………..

Vinaka,

Captain Harvey - MV Reef Endeavour

Oh, I feel so sorry for all of you not on board Reef Endeavour here at Taveuni. Blue sky, sunny, nice and warm. Having Buffet lunch on the Sundeck at the moment and off for diving in the afternoon.

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!  

Friday morning saw us arrive at a reef on the southern bay of Vanua Levu at Natovatu for our customary morning swim followed by an early arrival to Savusavu for a pre lunch stroll. The afternoon tours offered mountain bikes, hiking (both really well attended) and the internationally acclaimed pearl farm famous for its Golden Fiji Pearl. Rounding off after dinner with cinema under the stars before overnight sailing to Taveuni and Prince Charles Bay.

Captain Brian

Sunday saw the opportunity for passengers to participate in a church service at Wairiki (on Taveuni Island) during the morning before visiting the place where the 180th Meridian passes through the island and then, after enjoying a delicious curry lunch up on the open Sun Deck, more swimming, snorkelling and diving at Whispering Tide on the southern eastern point of Vanua Levu, straight across Somosomo Strait from Wairiki.

Captain Chris

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