Makogai, Ovalau, and Suva

We ended up spending a few extra, unexpected, days in Makogai and discovered that the more time you spend with the locals the more you get out of your adventure. Being at the right place at the right time and going with the flow also helps... A dive boat comes in twice a month for a traditional savusavu ceremony, dancing, and a feast cooked in the underground ovens and we were invited to stay. The next day we walked for over 5 hours in the jungles with Chief Watson. We learned countless amounts of survival skills to live off the island, we picked tons of wild hot peppers, and we ate coconuts and drank coconut water along the way. Maybe I should put Paul's name in for the show Survivor??? What do you think? Chief Watson came with us on our 3 hour trip to the next island, Levuka. HOLY COW, what a trip! I didn't want this trip to end up like 'Gilligans island' but, the wind was cranking for the past few days so the seas built up. When we got in between the two islands there was a "stream". The 10 foot waves and wind were fighting a counter current for about a mile which made the waves bigger and coming from every direction. So much water crashed on the boat that it even ripped off our window covers. By the time I started to panic we were out of the "stream". AHHHH! We spent one rocky night in Levuka and made an early departure for Suva. A 6:30 am departure, one big Mahi Mahi, another huge BULL Mahi, and 10 hours later we landed in Suva. So far, from what I see, it's a busy port and civilized. Will let you know more tomorrow. A glass of wine, good music and the thoughts of picking up my sister and Mom soon...ah, makes for a great evening. Good night.

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