Bula Paradise
Te Kaihopara is in Fiji. Turquoise water, steep volcanic islands and golden sand complete the tropical setting, we really feel like we’re in paradise.
Te Kaihopara settling in to island life
So far it’s day three of our first Yasawa Island cruise of the season and only one bait fish has been caught but not for lack of trying. Let me introduce Declan and Paul: they drop a fishing line out whenever they can. Amusingly watching their efforts are the rest of the crew: Ian, Heidi, Heather, and Suzi. As well as fishing, the crew are enjoying reading books in the shade during our cruisy sailing weather. We spent our first night on anchor at Musket Cove, before sailing north to Waya Island and onwards to Somosomo Bay. Tomorrow we go even further north to Nacula Island!
Heidi and Suzi relaxing
Ian checking sail trim
Paul getting a fishing line out
Heidi, Suzi and Heather trimming with Taylor
We’ve been to a few beaches and snorkeled over some stunning coral reefs. Vibrant colours and teeming with fish life, these reefs are the perfect example of why we need to save our oceans. We have a combination of paddle boards, kayaks and the dinghy to choose from when it’s time to go snorkeling. Ian took a paddleboard while Heidi took a kayak, then Paul, Suzi, Heather and Declan all swam from the boat! Next time they’ll catch a ride with the dinghy I think.
Declan spotting turtles
Sunset swims
After snorkeling, we moved the boat to the village of Gunu and went ashore for a visit. We were wholly welcomed and given a large tour of the village. We saw the church, the primary school and many of the houses tucked away under breadfruit trees, mango trees and cassava patches. While we toured, the village ladies set up their shell market for us to purchase trinkets and fresh coconuts. Oh my how delicious a green coconut is! Heather and Suzi brought bags of bras to donate to the local ladies so we took these ashore and gave them at the market, where many women had gathered because they heard the kaivalagi (white people) had brought bras for them! Their genuine smiles and appreciation was heart warming and we all felt so pleased we had chosen Gunu village to explore and connect with. The people here were all so happy and grateful and properly keen to show us their home.
Back on board, we had a BBQ dinner and a birthday fruit salad for dessert. The stars are amazing here, and there’s hundreds of fishes in the water, attracted to the lights of our boat.
- Hannah
