After we headed away from the dock, Ty made a joke about smoking around gas cans and, sure enough, our captain lit one up right next to many gallons of gasoline. Our boat was an 18 foot aluminum deep water skiff with a large outboard motor onto which the captain brought several cans of gas. While we were waiting for our boat, we watched a boatload of old village ladies row one man out to the reef to fish for the day. (Ty told me to avoid the bathroom at all costs …) This island is owned by the Methodist Church and the one budget accommodation here (can’t call it a resort – it’s very rough) is run by local villagers. After our usual great breakfast, Ty and I walked with our snorkelling gear to the wharf to wait for the boat to the small island of Caqalai, south west of Ovalua. Thanks to John, Marilyn, Nox, Matilda and La for making our visit so enjoyable.Ĭlick here for a video that Ty made of our plantation walk with Nox.Ī glowing golden orb woke us this morning – lo and below, the sun! We’d decided to take a boat trip should the day be good and, yes, it was good. Nox’ tours were one of the highlights of our visit we really enjoyed seeing and experiencing a bit of Fijian life in his company. The Levuka Homestay has been wonderful the service here is excellent (much better than the 4 star hotel we stayed at in Lami Bay), the breakfasts huge and delicious, and the hosts John and Marilyn genial and warm. We’ve really enjoyed our time in Levuka it’s an off-the-beaten path location that offers much to the visitor. Four local folks, some teachers at the Methodist High School, were playing the guitar, ukelele, and singing four part harmony – wonderful! And after dinner, we attended a fundraising concert at the Town Hall, featuring local musicians, a great way to end our time on Ovalau. I peeked my head in the door and we were invited in for kava and a sing-a-long. Last night as we were heading into town for dinner at, where else, the Whale’s Tale, we heard music emanating from Mary’s Lodge.

About jw player 5.8.2011