Oneata, Lau Group

Sea Topaz
Duncan Briggs
Wed 8 Sep 2010 01:33
 
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Sent: Saturday, September 04, 2010 9:33 PM
Subject: Oneata, Lau Group

18.25.862 S 178.28.741 W
 
We went back to the village of Daliconi, where Duncan put up a swing on one of the palm trees on the beach for the children. It was a popular move. The next day we walked with Israeli, our local guide, to Lomolomo on the other side of the island. After one and a half hours walk the truck picked us up for the rest of the trip. We did some shopping and went back by truck, with the local ladies.
We left before midday for an upwind sail to Oneata, where we arrived late the next day.  A nice Mahi mahi and a Yellow fin tuna joined us on the way so we have fresh food again. We just managed to drop anchor before dark. Early the next morning we were woken up by three men who came to see us. One was the chief of the island and at his suggestion we did sevusevu on board; kava was presented and some details of each others lives were exchanged. We provide the coffee and biscuits. They went away with rice, noodles, nails and tins of tuna as well as the kava. These men came from one village on the island, in the afternoon we visited the other village, again with our kava and gifts of rice, etc
The next morning we were visited by five local young men who were on their way fishing outside the reef. They had a good look around and had coffee and biscuits, coke and beer. They went away with some fishing hooks, lines and old sailing magazines. They came back with fish later in the afternoon, which we declined as we had caught our own on the way here. Another bunch of five came to visit us just as we were having lunch so we sent them away empty handed.
We did enjoy our walks on the lovely beaches here and collected more interesting shell. The snorkeling is also not too bad, the water is very clear.
Another lovely experience, we wish we could stay longer and visit more islands, but we are running out of time and there are also strong winds on the way. So back to Savu savu to resupply.
 
                                             
 
                                Putting up a swing on the beach                                                    The village of Daliconi
 
                                          
 
                                    Our visitors today                                                                    One of several beautiful beaches