sv evi

We were in Savusavu for 2 weeks. We wanted to leave after 10 days, but it was rainy and grey with strong winds forecasted, so we postponed our departure. It seems that happens often on a sailboat–you plan to leave a certain day, but then the weather (or something else) causes you to change your plans. It’s best to be patient and flexible. 🙂

We filled up our water tanks, washed the salty decks with freshwater, and filled up on diesel.

While in Savu Savu I provisioned some each day, basically buying as much groceries as I could carry back to the boat. I also bought some fabric and had 3 skirts made by a local tailor (for $10 U.S.). They are knee-length–long enough to be acceptable village wear.

Riki did lots of boat projects: he installed a new fan for me in the galley, re-wired an existing fan, installed a new solar panel, re-routed the fridge cord so Wade can’t reach it. Riki spent 3 hours one afternoon getting water out of the gasoline tank for the dinghy. He also got the working jib repaired–there was a tear in the leech. Riki did his part of the provisioning–the beer and wine part.

Riki had a sore tooth so we took a day trip to Labasa to visit a renowned dentist. Apparently folks sail from Australia or New Zealand just to visit him because he does good work at a very economical price. We rode the local bus 2.5 hours from Savusavu to Labasa. Riki was finishing the book Run by Ann Patchett on the bus, and he teared up. I find it so endearing when he is moved to tears. The dentist was excellent. I know because Wade and I were sitting on a couch right next to Riki in the dentist’s chair, so I heard everything he said. He explained everything he was doing and gave Riki a hand mirror so he could see. It took about 30 minutes, and the charge? $5 U.S. We missed the return bus by 15 minutes because we had the wrong time. So we hailed a cab who chased the bus down. It was chocker full, but several people offered us seats.

The day after our bus adventure Wade turned 9 months old. He also got a fever, which he had for the whole day. He was listless and droopy and had a fever of 101.3. Poor little guy. We gave him some Panadol and he was better the by the following day. Maybe a bug he picked up on the bus? Maybe teething?

We were in Savusavu for Diwali, on October 23rd. They had a special night at the Copra Shed Marina with an Indian food buffet including lots of home-made sweets and some dancing by the employees. I sprinted to the front of the buffet line and proceeded to get two plates for Riki and I while he held Wade. 🙂 There were tons of fireworks all through the night.