Finding Navini

Today we sadly departed Matamanoa bound for Navini island. While waiting for the boat, we saw a small dingy and hoped that would not be the boat to take us to Navini. Another larger boat came along and we relieved it would be that boat. However, the waters are too shallow to board straight on the boat so we had to use a smaller boat to get to the larger boat and then board the larger boat while both were getting flung up and down in the really choppy seas. After nearly falling in, we were away and Brenton took a seat up front with the captain. It was a bumpy but nice 30ish minute ride to Navini, where we were met with a dingy to make it to land. The transfer was better than expected and we checked in and got the run down from one of the lovely staff members. Our Bure is recently renovated and comes with veranda, daybed, sun loungers under a thatched umbrella and outdoor shower. It’s actually much nicer than I anticipated which is always good! After a lay down on the day bed (reading for B and a really solid nap for me - umm I am not sure how I will make it through a work day on my return!) we heard the drum call for lunch (all meals are announced with a drum call here). Steak sandwich and cassava chips for B and chicken pilaf for me - we also met a few other people on the island. At the moment there are
13 others on this small island - there are only 11 bures here. After lunch we went for a beach stroll before another reading session. The drum sounded at about 6:15pm and it was Fijian night so we got dressed in our sulus and headed for pre dinner drinks and a traditional lovo buffet with lots of veggies, fish, chicken, pork all cooked in the underground lovo oven. They also had a stuffed eggplant which was awesome! Dessert was a delicious coconut cake and fruit salad.
Then we had a kava ceremony and Fijian dancing before getting back to our Bure around 10pm.Read more