Savusavu, Makogai and Levuka
02 November 2011 | Fiji, South Pacific
We left Savusavu almost a week ago and sailed, well motor-sailed, to the island of Makogai about 45 nautical miles south.
Makogai was a leper colony from 1911 to 1969. There were over 4,500 patients here including many from other Pacific Island groups. In 1948, an effective treatment for leprosy was introduced and then the colony was phased out over the next 20 years.
The day after arriving, we went ashore and did 'sevu sevu', which is presenting Kava root to the chief. He accepted and gave us a tour of what remains of the facilities of the former colony. Today, the island has a clam farm. They raise giant clams and reintroduce them into the wild.
Makogai is truly a beautiful island. Very lush with a protected anchorage. The kids have been doing school in the mornings and then kayaking, snorkeling and exploring the island and beaches with their kid-friends on s/v Solara. Michael and Liam have done a bit of spear-fishing, but haven't had a lot of success. We've all done a good amount of snorkeling and have seen lots of live and stunning coral and fish. The coral here in Fiji is in a much better state than anything we've seen so far - anywhere in the Pacific!
Today, we will leave here and sail about 17 miles to the nations former capital: Levuka. It is situated on the island of Ovalau, which sits just to the east of Fiji's biggest island of Viti Levu.
When I have internet again, post some pictures.