It is fun to wonder the oceans and islands getting to know the villagers who live there. It is like a very old TV series called "Adventures In Paradise". When we return, it is like returning home after a long vacation. We were last in Rotuma 2.5 years ago on our way to explore island nations north of the equator as we escaped the upcoming cyclone seasons to the south.

Shortly after anchoring in Rotuma and clearing in with the local officials, we were greeted with a dinghy full of green coconuts delivered to our beached dinghy. Our frend Masisi heard we were back. Masisi has a waterfront house we can see from the anchorage. Soon after, Filipe showed up on the beach. As on our last visit, Filipe took us in tow and became our close companion for our 10 day stay in Rotuma. And it was Ian who loaded us up with cassava (tapioca), taro (Elephant Ear), oranges and brown coconuts from which we would make coconut cream (add sugar and it becomes Coco Lopez just like in the can).

After our long passage, we had fresh provisions again. We had no Fiji money, and there is no ATM or money exchange in Rotuma so reciprocation takes the form of sunglasses, bars of soap, T-shirts, solar powered yard lights, vegetable seeds we just happened to have on the boat, DVDs or whatever we think might be useful.

One gusty afternoon we even took Ian and Filipe sailing into the distant ocean. Now, after turning slightly green, they will never again offer to help as crew for a passing yacht. As Ian says: if anyone offers, Im just gonna say, 'Been there done that, don't want to do it again!'

10 days after arriving, our friend Chuck, on the sailboat 'Deviant', arrived from Majuro. We delayed our departure to Lautoka, Fiji, so we could show Chuck what we know of Rotuma. Filipe organized to have his friend drive us around the dirt perimeter road of Rotuma. And now that there were two yachts anchored in the small harbor at one time, it seemed natural to turn Filipe's house into the RYC, Rotuma Yacht Club. So the club has been inaugurated and will be open to any future cruisers to use the facilities to wash clothes, themselves, use the trading library, which now has 4 books, and to build on cruising traditions. Normally there are about 6-12 yachts a year that stop in Rotuma, and only 3 last year, so it may be a while before there is an established happy hour or T-shirts for sale.
I won't say much more about the mountainous island of Rotuma as we have written about it elsewhere in this blog when we went through the first time. But I will say it is very, very nice to be back in Fiji and to continue our adventures in paradise.

June 17, 2013, at sunset, we set sail for mainland Fiji. Goodbye Rotuma!