Arriving on Wayasewa

After a couple of hours of sailing we reached the narrow straits between the islands of Wayasewa and Kuata, the southernmost of the chain. There is one resort on each island. Outboard motor powered boats arrived at the catamaran to transfer leaving passengers to the catamaran and arriving passengers to the island. My luggage was put into the boat then I was invited to step into it. A few moments later I was followed by a slim girl.

We motored towards the beach. A burly Fijian carried me on his shoulders for the last few metres so that I wouldn't get my sneakers wet. (Hence it's advisable to wear flip-flops for such transfers.)

A set of steps led up to the main building where we were given an induction by apparently the activities director. He told us the times of the meals. (All meals are included as the resort is the only establishment around. Besides the three main ones, afternoon tea was also offered.)

We could also enroll ourselves for paid activities like snorkelling, hiking, weaving or village visits. (Some people had prebooked a Full Monty add-on when buying the package, but common advice was that you could purchase activities separately at the resort.)

My fellow traveller was S, a Finnish student on a gap year round the world trip before staring Uni. Like me, she had two nights at that resort. Unlike me she had two more nights elsewhere up north before returning whereas I had four.

We were assigned to a dorm room further up the slope. It had three single beds and an ensuite. Facilities were basic. You have to remember that water comes from rain, and electricity from a generator only certain hours of the night and morning. Double rooms (called bures) were on the same plateau as the main building. These housed backpackers travelling in pairs and had slightly more comfortable facilities.

The beat of the meal drum (which consisted of a couple of wooden rods and a hollowed-out log) called us to lunch where we met the other travellers. Food was self-serve from a buffet. Here it consisted of a coleslaw like salad, rice, potato or taro, some main with meat, with pineapple and watermelon slices for dessert, plus the usual beverages. It wasn't inspiring but at least it was edible. I wouldn't be gaining weight on this trip. S was vegan so her choices were more limited.

After lunch I relaxed on a hammock. Cooling breezes mitigated the heat. In Fiji mosquitoes were the bane of my holiday and I was glad that I had brought repellant. But I wasn't always protected so I had to swat them now and then. If there is one animal I wouldn't mind going extinct it's the mosquito. Won't happen though. There is the phrase Fijian Time meaning whenever, take your time. At least the mosquitoes were also on Fijian Time and slower.

At 1500 we were called again by the drums to afternoon tea on the outdoor deck. Naturally coffee is the instant variety, no fancy coffee here.

(To be continued.)