The Saga of Ursa Minor: SailBlogs

Anna

Bryan — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:22:32 -0600

Anna was the first person we encountered when we went ashore on Gao (pronounced 'now'). In fact, she waded out to assist us over the reef on the beach in the very low tide. She introduced us to the high chief for the local Lomaviti island group, a delightful old gentleman named Thalakleni, a veteran of WWII fighting the Japanese in Malaya and the Solomons. (Continued...)

Sleigh Ride

Bryan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:03:00 -0600

We left the 'garden isle' of Taveuni this morning after two days of exploring. Had the opportunity the visit where the International Dateline - the 180th meridian - passes through the Pacific. I asked a Fijian nearby where he stood and he replied "in yesterday". I guess you can go back again. (Continued...)

Jack

Bryan — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:44:59 -0600

One of the rewards of cruising is the variety of interesting and sometimes unusual people you encounter. This morning we were awakened by Jack - a third generation (mostly) English emigrant - in his aluminium skiff. Jack is the major domo of Viani Bay. He has a dive shop, runs poultry and porkers, serves as a trekking guide to the interior, works as a boat captain and delivery skipper, and farms fruits and other commodities of commercial value. (Continued...)