The Bora Bora to Fiji passage was not originally planned. We were supposed to stop in Tonga but for the first time on our trip Covid caused a change in routing as Tonga has still not opened. My friend Dan Duffy who was a navy pilot commented when I told him I was sailing across the South Pacific “Buddy, I have flown over that ocean and you have no idea how big it is. Good luck.” Dan was right. On the 10 day passage we saw no ships, no airplanes, but at night we did see one satellite. We finally saw a ship the day we were arriving into Fiji. It was great to not only get into Fiji but into a dock with a little bar in the marina. It was a great change of pace.
Fishing was good. We got this Mahi which was the perfect size for a ceviche lunch, 2 20 inch yellowfin tuna, 1 for sashimi and 1 for my friend Lexi’s tuna wraps. We also caught a 8 foot blue marlin that went from 200 yards behind the boat to sprinting up to and passed the boat in what looked to be 15 seconds. Thank God he broke off the hook.
Fiji Arrival
Fiji has some very strict import rules and regulations and health guidelines. The health inspectors will come aboard your boat and inspect your food, your waste, take a Covid test before ever allowing you on shore. The Fijian people are lovely and maybe the friendliest people we have met as we have traveled across the world.
Getting to know the culture
It’s really fun when you visit these countries to get involved in their events to really understand their lives and culture. We were excited to hear that there was a local rugby game on Saturday so we attended and cheered on the home team Suva Suva.
Everywhere we went we were the only non locals including church. We actually had a hard time getting out of church because every person stopped us, shook our hands, and told us Bula Bula which is welcome welcome. At dinner that night people kept coming up to us and saying we saw you at church welcome to Suva. Like I said the nicest sweetest people I have ever met.
Sunday Mass
It’s been so fun going to these different churches as we have been going across the South Pacific. This was the first Sunday of the month and Pentecost and there was as many people outside the church as in. A women with a baby tried to give me a chair so I could sit down. After arguing profusely I finally got her to sit back down. Out of respect everywhere takes their sandals off before entering church and the music was wonderful.
Diving
We took are first dive in Fiji today after hearing it was some of the best diving in the world. I just though I would give you a short teaser as the next blog will have a compilation.
Whats next
We have almost exactly a month in Fiji before we head off the New Caledonia we have 2 goals; 1) get in as much diving as we can and 2) get to know these wonderful people better. We will send another blog in a couple weeks. I guess it’s summer at home. Enjoy the pool and no lying about your golf handicaps. John, Mike, and Cullen.
Amazing!! Loved hearing about the different cultures for worship and how lovely the people are in Fiji. Can’t wait for the next fish movie:)
Incredible!!
Tell Mike hello from his neighbors, Trina and Tom. We are loving your travels and blog. It is all spectacular!
John, this blog has been awesome. I look forward to every post. You inspired me to get my diving certification. Passed the exam, and did the pool dives last weekend. Thinking about where to do an open water dive in the next six months…Fiji dives, one day, look like the ultimate prize. Have a great time. Keep spreading the Chicago and US love across the Pacific. 🙂
Bonaire is wonderful- so is Cayman Islands
I have loved all your blogs but this one is my favorite. The people seem so genuine and so very happy, so proud of their culture and their religion.
And the “aquarium “ is beyond spectacular. Between the bright colorful schools of fish and the magnificent coral, it is one of the prettiest sites I’ve ever seen.
Enjoy every minute in Figi. We miss you guys.