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Dravuni island
Late blog entry today for yesterdays stop at Dravuni island.
The island is less than a mile across and only around two miles long. There are no roads, no vehicles and only 100 or so inhabitants. We were not expecting a bustling town with shops to browse, Dravuni was a chance to experience a beautiful island with white sand beaches and to do some swimming and snorkelling.
The tender to the shore was only around ten minutes and the sun was already blazing. It was going to be another scorching hot day. The islanders lived in one small village just set back from the beach and their huts were built from a dazzling array of materials. Some were brick and stone, others wood and a good deal seemed to be constructed from brightly coloured corrugated iron. None of them were dull. If we learned anything on this holiday we learned that the Fijians love bright colours.
As with other small villages we visited, the children came to meet us and sang Christmas songs. Still feels weird hearing Christmas songs when it is blazing hot on a beach! We wandered down the short coastline until we had a beach practically to ourselves and then set about being beach bums for a day.
The water was crystal clear and a very bright turquoise in colour. I had a snorkel and mask and wasted no time in dipping my head under to check out the local fish. For the first few feet the water was waist deep but there was a huge shelf where the floor just seemed to drop away. I enjoyed diving down into the cooler water and seeing how far down I could go before my ears popped and I was needing another breath. Dave was happy enough in the waist deep water which was so warm it was like being in a bath.
I couldn't work out why I seemed to be terrible and snorkelling....as soon as I tried to take a breath using the snorkel I just got mouthfuls of sea water... no matter how much I fiddled with the snorkel, made sure it was upright and that my mouth was tightly sealed.....I just took on water. I finally gave up trying and just used my mask and held my breath. It was only later on when I tried again and fully inspected my snorkel that I saw a large split in the plastic close to the bit which bends round near to the mouthpiece. Serves me right for buying it from the equivalent of a pound store at our first port I guess.... but the mask was fine!!
After some swimming we took a walk across and then around the island. Going across the island took us through the tiny village. There are always chickens running free in the villages that we have visited. The chickens in this place had tiny chicks darting around with them. Too cute.
Once through the village, the path became trickier and the tropical trees more dense. It only took twenty minutes or so to cross the island and reach the beach on the other side. I swam here too but the sea was rougher on this side and the waves kicked up the sand. This meant that the water itself was no way near as clear and my mask wasn't much use. We followed the coast, clambering over rocks in some parts to see if we could get all the way back round to the first beach. It wasn't possible without taking some risks in the water and so we doubled back and cut through the tropical trees again. There was nothing much else to this island! It was gorgeous though and we both enjoyed the day very much.
One incident of note I guess.... whilst we were in the village another group of touristy types walked up to one of the homes. We think the tourists were probably Japanese but it really matters not about their nationality...they were just idiots. They walked up to the home shouting "hallo!!! HALLO!!! IS ANYONE THERE??" This was repeated over and over....then they walked onto the threshold of the home and the outside decking area...still screaming...."hallo!!!!"
By this time several other people had turned to stare at them....THEN they went in to the hut and started picking up the owners cooking pans, turning them over....photographing stuff..... I shouted out "that is someone's house you have just gone in to!" But they carried on being utterly oblivious to their own terrible manners. It was as if they thought that this island was put here just for us and that the huts were actually open houses to trample through. The villagers live on this island....these are their homes and they allow us an opportunity to visit and to appreciate the beauty and get a glimpse of their way of life. It was embarrassing watching this other group.... I know several other ship mates were mortified too.
Anyways..... we walked, we swam and we caught a lot of sun today. Dravuni is a beautiful island with beaches to die for and coconuts EVERYWHERE. You won't starve in this place so long as you know how to get into a coconut lol.
Once back on board we relaxed before heading down to the restaurant for dinner. Gary, we had the fettuccine! Nom nom.... cocktails at crooners followed before a film in the room. Another very nice day.
Tomorrow (today now) is a sea day. We are sadly coming toward the end of the cruise with only one more port of call tomorrow. But we are very much looking forward to Sydney and meeting up with the guys!
Ttfn
- comments
Gary It is difficult to believe how ignorant some people are of social graces. But it is amazing how varied and beautiful the places are and your uncanny way of finding the best of each.
Gary Is this their equivalent of the M1???
Cas See you soon x