Nasasobo, Fiji

We are really having quite the experience here in Nasasobo bay, Fiji. We made friends at the little settlement here (2 houses). The way of life is SOOOOO different that what we are used to. There is so much to say.... Bertha and George have 5 children but three are at school and don't come home for months on end. They are all under 15. The open air house is set on a steep hill overlooking the bay. As you walk up saying, "Bula" (Hello), some one is waving you in with a big smile. There is little furniture, a big beautiful hand woven mat in the living room, and long colorful sections of cloth swaying in the breeze. Even though there is one couch, everyone sits on the mat.

They drink Kava there, they eat there and the spend time lounging there. I was once sitting on the couch and Bertha said, "Are you comfortable up there? Come sit down here with me, it's better". We have been invited to several gatherings and feel like part of the family. We spent 4 hours drinking kava one night, enjoyed local fare another night and on Sunday we ate the wild pig they caught in the hills. The kids are having the time of their lives. At night, in the pitch black, armed with flashlights, they are chasing and watching big toads eat bugs. Merric is our little Kava drinker and hangs out with the big boys.

Bertha babies Seanna and gets her everything she wants. Georges Grandmother lives in the other house and she invited us up. She brought tears to my eyes because she just suffered a stroke and doesn't leave the house much anymore. All the collected artifacts and pictures in her house is like a museum. She reminds me of my grandmother in her last year of life and it was hard for me to say goodbye but lucky to have been able to meet her.

We are changing our future cruising plans and heading back to Suvasuva tomorrow... We planned on circumnavigating Vanua levu and spending a few months on this island alone but now we are going to take the shorter route to Viti Levu so we can pick up my mom and sister on June 14th. YEAH!!!! Did anyone hear that howl of joy??? We can't wait! They are coming in to spend a little over 2 weeks with us.

Like I said... excitement happens at night!! Last night, just as we all tucked into bed a squall came through suddenly with gust ripping down the hill side. The boat did a complete 180 and set off the anchor alarm. We have our new BIG Manson anchor down with all of our chain in 45 feet of water. The holding here is great in mud and sand. We set up all of our navigation and radar in case we had to move in the darkness but all held on tight. All is well here on Free Spirit.