Fiji, South Pacific.
July 2010. Hello dear family and friends we are in Fiji !!
It’s so lovely to be in touch again, we love all the kind messages thank you.
It’s been awesome so far and here is a lovely typical South Pacific sunrise on the way into Fiji as we sight land.
Charlie sleeping in the cockpit sailing into Savusavu, Fiji.
We have for the last few weeks either been at sea or just stayed on the beaches and anchorages with the children playing happily in between voyages to sea.
Annie flies the Fijian flag.
We arrived in Savu Savu Fiji after a lovely sail from Tonga and Charlie was so excited to see dry land!
Brian having welcome beer for breakfast with skippers Jeremy (Chizol) and David (Enchantress)at the yacht club.
That evening the Rally was welcomed with a kava ceremony.
The local brew is an almost narcotic like, peppery, cold, dirty dishwater served from a special bowl and must be tried by all ….
…….including Freddie.
The host was quite impressed that Freddie drank the traditional (but disgusting) liquid.
The ceremony gradually turned into a party on our first night ashore.
Edy and Jeremy with the Tippys.
Amy , Charlie and Annie.
Annie in my shoes.
The town of Savu Savu was colourful with a great food market.
The people are a mix of Polynesian and Melanesian with a high population of Indians so the food is great.
The local children have compulsory school with a free bus ride and police looking out for truants in town.
Everyone was so friendly waving and calling BULA which means hello in Fijian, most people however speak English.
Some children walk to school barefoot.
The children made friends with Issac who came to stay on Miss Tippy for a couple of nights.
His family had welcomed us into their home, a one roomed, bamboo and pandanus hut with grass roof for family of 8 including a 4 day old baby born at home! It was an emotional visit to the humble home with a nice welcome. It did not seem appropriate to take photographs of the house but here is the very best part of their village the church which was full with singing parishoners for virtually the whole of the day on Sundays.
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Looking forward to hearing about your latest adventures
Lots of love Unca M, Antee J and the crew
xxxxx
hi annie that was so fun on skype yesterday i miss you so much my blue noses milkshake honey and cotton socks and also the special friend tatty teddy they all remind of you
p.s miss you
loads of love LOTTIE xxxxxxxxxxxxx =]
Charlie looks so serene as she sleeps on her cosy bed, the waves gently lapping beside her. How tranquil Miss Tippy seems. I hope your voyage was the same.
So glad to see you all safe and happy.
Our continous love and prayers.
Aunty Julia. XXXXX
That it? I want more info chickie! I’d like to see more pictures of the beautiful children, some videos…perhaps a little song? Love to all!
xoxoxo
Jackie
Glad to see you are back in communication and great to see you are all having great time. Love to all and we are all missing you but does look like you are in paradise so plenty of jealousy! Hope Brian you are fully fit now as having suffered a fractured scull I know how it can be for a while afterwards. Keep making the most of you fantastic adventure and catch up soon no doubt!! Rocky, Rosie, Claudia and Tamsin xx PS Rosie says the garden is looking great and all the new plants are doing really well!
Hi, we r goin 2 Australia 2morrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cant wait 2 c u aswell, What day r we meetin u? Alice says hi. Love Cat xxxxx
p.s: I love being 12 now:)
thought you were having too much fun to update your blogs!!
Can’t wait to skype you when you get to Aus
12 months to go before you’re home -horray.
LOL All the Shaws
HI Guys – all aboard Miss Tippy
We were a bit concerned not having heard for soooo long! but guessed you`d be enjoying yourselves and maybe also having a bit of quiet time away from technology! But so lovely to hear all well with you and you all OK. Fuji looks amazing.
M`Lady had to do Pan Pan 2 miles off Selsey in force 6/7 when lobster pot decided we`d ordered a take away – lifeboat towed us to Hayling – all well but still scary as we were on lee shore no foresail or engine – lukily RNLI very quick to respond.
M`Lady now up in Chichester getting new prop shaft etc etc and hopefully back in the water very soon. Will forward some pictures kind lifeboatman took of her rescue!
Can`t believe you`ve been gone a year already time flying past so quick.
Take Care happy, safe sailing, Always!
Lots love
Pete and Yvette