17:26.8S 178:57.2E

Makongi Island will be one of the highlights of our sailing we think.  We anchored in a flat calm, pretty bay with Moana Roa and Sud Oest and got ready for our first Sevu Sevu ceremony.  Google it for the detail but essentially this is how visitors ask the Chief’s permission to stay.  To show respect you should all wear the traditional dress and bring a gift of cava root which will be ground and made into a drink.

We had been told that the Chief, along with most of the men, were away at the funeral of a government official on another island so we would not get the full treatment as it were, but that we should go ahead and pay our respects anyway because someone would be nominated to accept the Sevu Sevu on the Chiefs behalf.

We dropped anchor, we smartened ourselves up a bit and we wrapped the sulu round, then all went ashore in a little line of dinghy’s. Moana Roa had the sense to take a photograph before they left the boat…..

In no time we were sitting in various attempts at cross leggedness (depending on age and flexibility) on a palm mat and giving our respective sevusevu offerings.  Words were spoken that we did not understand and our gifts accepted. 

From that moment we were welcomed with great warmth and first things first, joined in an enthusiastic game of volleyball with the village children.

As the sun set the frogs came out which proved the perfect bonding experience between the village and the yachtie children who were rarely out of each others company from that moment.