[password] NZL9424A27ZMU3791
[position] 17.19S 178.14E
[status] We have spent a bit of time at Makogai. This is an island approx 48nm from Savusavu. The island was once a leper hospital. There is still all the remains of the concrete buildings that housed all different cultures from around the South Pacific area who had leperosy.
Different nationalities were separated from each other as well as gender separation. The grave yard had 1500 graves. The colony opened in 1911 and closed its doors in 1969, the island is also home to a rehabilitation centre for injured turtles and a cultivation centre for clams. It was a really interesting place to visit.
We went back to Savusavu to pick up Luke and Anton who were coming in from Nadi. We had Kristy, Stefan, Luke and Anton altogether on board for 2 nights. Lots of fun.
Glen and Kristy have finally got a dive in. We went out with Koro Sun dive and they each did 2 dives while Luke, Stefan and Anton went snorkling. After Kristy and Stefan left us we took the boys to Namena Island which is a marine reserve. We saw turtles, Eagle Rays and Reef Sharks. Also the fish life was really different and varied from anywhere else we have been to so far. After there we went back to Makogai for one night then a 9 hour motor sail to Volivoli point. From here Luke, Anton and I took a taxi to Nadi for them to fly home. After three hours we got to the airport then waited for my sister, Tania and her husband Owen who are staying on board with us for a week. Then another three hour trip back to Volivoli!!! We are cruising around the Northern coast of Viti Levu, exploring little bays on our way. It is a really nice piece of Fiji here, but so different in the landscape and flora than Savusavu. Not so much rainfall here.
All good on board even though we have been a bit cool the last couple of days. Temperature only 24 degrees!!! So used to more like 28-30 degrees. [END]