We anchored near Somo Somo village.
As is customary, we wore modest attire and brought gifts for the chief.
We were greeted by a woman from the village who took us wandering barefoot through a maze of tiny homes, smiling people, dogs, and a cat to the dwelling of the chief. In this village the chief was a woman. Brian presented her with Kava root and perfume. After our greeting, we received her blessing to wander about the village, enjoy the beach, and take photos if we wanted to.
The ladies from the village offered to show us jewelry. I purchased a few shell necklaces and a pair of earrings. The money was being used to support the school there.
As we were being lead back through the village, an older gentleman from the village spoke to the woman leading us and asked to meet us. We went to his dwelling. It turns out he is the mayor and the brother of the chief.
Another man from the village, a Christian minister named Pastor Kali, came over to join the little gathering as well.
Brian was making animal balloons for the children and soon more and more began to appear.
Pastor Kali offered to have the village prepare a feast for us in exchange for a donation to their diesel fund. Apparently the well they use to get fresh water runs on diesel and they are in constant need of money to purchase more fuel.
We thought it sounded like a great idea and scheduled it for the following evening.
Brian and Jess took a ride in the dingy and met some Australians who had anchored their sailboat near ours. There were 2 kids on board, along with the parents and the grandparents. The sailboat belonged to the grandparents who are seasoned travelers who have sailed to the U.S. more than once. They purchase an RV when they get there and travel all around the U.S. Funny as it may seem, they have seen more states than Brian has.
Jess went with the dad and kids snorkeling at a nearby reef.
Periodically when we looked into the water, we saw these odd creatures floating past. Eventually we figured out that they were squid.
The next day Brian and Jess headed out kayaking to a nearby reef. It was Jess' first time kayaking. It took him awhile to get the hang of it, but by the time they were returning, he was doing great.
Later we all went back to the reef to snorkel. For whatever reason I couldn't get my breath. I finally just climbed back up into the dingy and Jess and Brian continued snorkeling for awhile.
On to feasting in the village . . .
More fun in Fiji,
Debbie Takara Shelor
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