Vanua Levu Sunrise
Trip Start
Mar 10, 2007
1
145
188
Trip End
Jan 08, 2008
Savusavu,
Fiji
Friday, November 9, 2007
The boat arrived into Savusavu at sunrise and I watched the light grow in front of me as I waited for the guesthouse to open and let me in. It is much prettier here than in Suva, which I found to be grimy and crowded. There were several yachts moored in the bay between the mainland and Nawi island, which is just offshore, and the morning of Diwali was very peaceful. I will take a stroll through Savusavu today and make my way to Taveuni tomorrow, unless I decide to dive from Savusavu, but as that should be cheaper on Taveuni, I will probably just head on. I know that I seem to be rushing through Fiji at this point but I do miss the company of people, and that will be a certainty when I dive, and I want, primarily, to dive the Great White Wall of Taveuni, so I can do things to a better budget on the way back, rather than a hypothetical one on the way out.
There is not much to Savusavu as a town, one dusty main street, and not much happening today, though that could be because of Diwali. it makes up for its current lack via the scenery which cascades down the hill behind and on the island in the bay, and which is lush and green. There must be a rich clientele somewhere here - I do not imagine that the yachts in the bay are owned by the Fijians - but they do not appear to be here, I have seen no other tourists, though admittedly, there are very few people in general today, with it being a public holiday. I have also been bitten several times since arriving in Fiji and will ahve to be more careful from now on, as I could, potentially, contract Dengue fever and that has a nasty habit of affecting people in different ways - I may have no symptoms, or I may become very ill. Better to be careful I think. I had thought to end my headlong rush here in Savusavu, but I do not feel as though there is anything to stay for, so tomorrow I will take the bus to Buca (pronounced bu-tha, 'c' in Fijian is pronounced 'th') Bay and go to Taveuni. Once there I can enquie about a trip to Kioa or Rabi (ram-bey) to see non-fijian island life (Rabi and Kioa were gifted to other island peoples.) I will also need to enquire about provisioning myself. I am away from the main island now, the rules change slightly, and as I sit writing this under a palm tree, I am feeling island time more keenly than ever, especially after the bustle of New Zealand (travelwise, I barely stopped) it is disconcerting to reach each destination so quickly. All the time I put aside for travelling is now marching ahead into days where I will have absolutely nothing to do at the end of time here. Some people might like the sound of that, but as I mentioned earlier, one day of absolute inactivity is more than enough for me.
* * *
In the evening, my attention was diverted by some singing, which was broadcast over the town by megaphone. This was for Diwali, and the music reminded me not to be so glum here. I deliberately left the Nadi area behind in order to come and visit a part of Fiji into which comparatively few travellers venture. I came to see the diversity of the islands and I had spent most of the day moping about how quiet and deserted it was, and how lonely I was feeling. I decided, upon hearing the music, that I needed to grow a little backbone, I chose to come here for the very reasons that had got me down today. I will not let that happen again.
