Sawa-I-Lau, Fiji
During the night, the National Geographic Endeavour sailed around the northwest region of Fiji to the beautiful Yasawa Archipelago. A classic volcanic island arc, the Yasawas is composed of twenty islands stretching almost fifty miles in length. Besides their stunning scenery, friendly locals and gorgeous reefs, these islands are popularly famous for providing the locations of both film versions of The Blue Lagoon (in 1949 and again in 1980), and it was also here that Captain William Bligh and his eighteen companions barely escaped the stewpot in 1789, landing here in their small boat set adrift just a few days before in the famous mutiny of the H.M.S. Bounty.
A clear, warm, sunny tropical morning greeted us and brought us all out on deck as the National Geographic Endeavour patiently waited for the tide to rise so that we could continue onward and around the soft, shallow reef system that hampered our approach through a poorly marked channel. Our destination was the village of Tamasua on Yasawa Island, and it was there that we were greeted by the local chief and inhabitants, who invited us to partake in a customary kava-drinking ceremony. Many of us tried the interesting concoction which is said to have medicinal properties and mild calming effects. The locals seemed pretty mellow, but maybe it is the natural vibe; I don’t know.
From the village, we had a continuous Zodiac shuttle service to another small beach where we had set up beach chairs, and were provided towels and cool drinks between our periods of sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling. Fishes all around and fruit bats above, we paddled about and/or kicked back to soak up the South Pacific sun, perhaps reveling in our newly-found kava mind set. Conveniently next to this idyllic and serene setting was a cave which begged to be explored. With locals at the lead and underwater flashlights in hand, we were led up a path and then down into the cave for a refreshing yet bizarre swim in mirrored cool sea water which inundated the cave from an unseen source. Echoing chants from the Fijians (more kava?) bounced throughout the cave as we swam and snorkeled in exploration. At one end of the seemingly sealed cave, we were assured that a ten foot long and three foot deep dive would lead us to yet another chamber, and so the more adventurous and trusting of us went down and ahead only to surface into another part of the hydrologically-connected cavern. A few overhead openings allowed just enough light in for us to see the cathedral-like domes and walls of the cool caves. Once the sun began to wane, we packed it up and headed for home, our safe and sturdy ship which welcomed us back for showers, recap and the Farewell Cocktail Party and Dinner.
During the night, the National Geographic Endeavour sailed around the northwest region of Fiji to the beautiful Yasawa Archipelago. A classic volcanic island arc, the Yasawas is composed of twenty islands stretching almost fifty miles in length. Besides their stunning scenery, friendly locals and gorgeous reefs, these islands are popularly famous for providing the locations of both film versions of The Blue Lagoon (in 1949 and again in 1980), and it was also here that Captain William Bligh and his eighteen companions barely escaped the stewpot in 1789, landing here in their small boat set adrift just a few days before in the famous mutiny of the H.M.S. Bounty.
A clear, warm, sunny tropical morning greeted us and brought us all out on deck as the National Geographic Endeavour patiently waited for the tide to rise so that we could continue onward and around the soft, shallow reef system that hampered our approach through a poorly marked channel. Our destination was the village of Tamasua on Yasawa Island, and it was there that we were greeted by the local chief and inhabitants, who invited us to partake in a customary kava-drinking ceremony. Many of us tried the interesting concoction which is said to have medicinal properties and mild calming effects. The locals seemed pretty mellow, but maybe it is the natural vibe; I don’t know.
From the village, we had a continuous Zodiac shuttle service to another small beach where we had set up beach chairs, and were provided towels and cool drinks between our periods of sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling. Fishes all around and fruit bats above, we paddled about and/or kicked back to soak up the South Pacific sun, perhaps reveling in our newly-found kava mind set. Conveniently next to this idyllic and serene setting was a cave which begged to be explored. With locals at the lead and underwater flashlights in hand, we were led up a path and then down into the cave for a refreshing yet bizarre swim in mirrored cool sea water which inundated the cave from an unseen source. Echoing chants from the Fijians (more kava?) bounced throughout the cave as we swam and snorkeled in exploration. At one end of the seemingly sealed cave, we were assured that a ten foot long and three foot deep dive would lead us to yet another chamber, and so the more adventurous and trusting of us went down and ahead only to surface into another part of the hydrologically-connected cavern. A few overhead openings allowed just enough light in for us to see the cathedral-like domes and walls of the cool caves. Once the sun began to wane, we packed it up and headed for home, our safe and sturdy ship which welcomed us back for showers, recap and the Farewell Cocktail Party and Dinner.
