Blog 62. Sawa-i-Lau. 16.50.855S 17.27.941E

Alcedo
David Batten
Mon 4 Jul 2016 20:04
Tuesday 28 June. After peaceful night in Yadua, we left for Sawa-i-Lau at about 08.25 for the 54nm sail. Through the open waters south of the reefs that lie between Yadua and Sawa-i-Lau, then through the the Qio Channel using Sail Fiji's way points. With very little wind to start with, we ended up with 2 reefs in the main and a very fast sail across the gap. This was followed by a very rough motor through to narrow gap between the reefs that form the entrance to the bay between Yasawa Island to the N/W, Sawa-i-Lau to the east and Nacula Island to the south. Sawa-i-Lau anchorage is well sheltered with no swell and quite beautiful, plus there are the famous caves, good snorkelling and a very friendly village. We stayed 2 nights with only 2 other yachts both nights, Kevin's being one of them on the 2nd night, but small cruise ships also come to visit the caves. For us, the visit involved Sevusevu on the beach first then a visit to the caves. With just us and the 2 guides, John and Anthony, in the caves after all the tourists left and before the next cruise ship arrived, we had a peaceful and really enjoyable time. Guides are compulsory and the visit costs Fj $20 per person and Fj $10 per guide.

In the afternoon, we explored the area by the closest village on Yasawa, which was an off shoot of the main village when it got too big. We were negotiating a way round a large and not very friendly bull when we were joined by the American couple off one of the yachts and their guide Joe, a 14 year old sent to look after them by his grandfather. We came back through the village and it was yet another occasion when we would like to have had some and sweets to give away, as they were not well off and so hospitable. We did get an instant "market" from the women, so did buy some shells and trinkets from them.

IPad and Internet hopefully able to send the following photographs.

JPEG image



Joe, our guide from the village.



The view of the anchorage from Yasawa.



The 1st cave on Sawa-i-Lau.

Alcedo

Sent from my iPad