Vinaka vaka levu

Vinaka vaka levu means "Thank you, very much!" The extra emphasis of 'vaka levu' are our newest Fijian words. Sereana wrote them out for us yesterday morning in the Plantation Island Medical Centre. We were quite impressed with Sereana and the wonderful medical service she provided, but more for the warmth, kindness and good cheer that she brings to her work -- this after 48 years of nursing!

Maureen and I left our guests on the boat yesterday and took the dinghy ashore to see what we could learn about an infection that had been pestering my elbow for the last 2 or 3 days. When we arrived Sereana was sitting in her chair at the medical centre and assessed my situation quickly. "Doug" she said, "I am going to have to punish you -- you should have started antibiotics right away and now I am going to have to give you a shot in the bum!" She managed our query with gentle efficiency carefully recording the details of our conversation in a ledger and providing both a shot, and a follow-up prescription. Through it all she joked and shared local stories and educated us on how to look after ourselves on the boat. We are thankful!

Millie checks out the visitors at Lo's Tea House from atop her
perch of Fiji Gold. Vinaka Millie!

But on to the real action of the day -- which is not much at all! We are coming to the end of a month of cruising with Gord and Jane Shoquist and have found ourselves back at one of our favorite spots -- Musket Cove Marina. Since arriving back in Fiji we have been touring the Yasawa Island group. In the middle of the Yasawa's is an area called 'Blue Lagoon' which apparently has some connection with a movie of the same name. We certainly enjoyed the beaches and snorkeling and spent two or three days visiting the 4 or 5 islands that protect the lagoon.

Perhaps our favorite trip was a walk across Nanuya Lailai Island to visit Lo's Tea House. The walk takes us over the top of the island and down through a wee village where we happened upon a family just sitting down for lunch on their veranda. A little shy to be walking through their 'living room' we were greeted with a broad "Bula bula" and the characteristic warm smiles of Fiji. They urged us on to the shoreline and into Lo's. As we walked down one of the same gals quickly ran ahead and opened up the teahouse as we were certain to be their only visitors this day. It was fun.

Since our stop at Blue Lagoon we have been working our way toward Vuda Marina to complete our travel loop. Back in Musket Cove we have been enjoying the abundant freshwater showers and cold beer of the Musket Cove Yacht Club. When we turned the corner to head toward the mooring balls Maureen looked at me and said "look at all the boats". Whereas we have had this spot to ourselves throughout March and April there are now perhaps a dozen boats taking up residence waiting for the surf to settle in and the fine reliable weather to take hold. It is different now -- but fun and social too.