17:40.88S 178:50.21E

 

We arrived in Savusavu early Sunday morning but Fiji being what it is we were able to clear customs and immigration in the morning, which left us able to go ashore. Vanua Levu is the northern island of the two main islands and is much less touristy then Viti Levu, where the capital Suva is.

 

The island is home to the Fijians as well as a lot of Indians who arrived here 3 generations ago to work. This has caused conflict between the two cultures, especially when it comes to land rights and politics. In fact the Indians are not allowed to hold political office and  since the last coup a few years ago it doesn’t seem that there will be any changes soon.

 

Walking through Savusavu you could be in India,with the electronics shops, the bustle and the smell of curry. The only thing missing is the horde of children hanging onto your arm wanting you to buy something. 

 

We sailed north west once we received our cruising permit and spent a couple of days in Viani Bay, just off an island called Taveuni where we dived the White wall, recognised as one of the top ten dives in the world. The colours and variety of fish are unbelievable – all of us were amazed. Ashore in Viani was a primary school for the local kids. We went ashore and were very quickly asked to get involved with the construction of a netball hoop for the girls. Apparently they’d been waiting for three weeks for someone to put the hoops up!