We arrived in Susui Island 2 days ago. As soon as we anchored, we went ashore to do the traditional sevusevu. At the beach we were greeted by a number of children. all happily saying "bula" and also by Jabob, the village spokesman. Jacob took us to a grass area by the small church where we sat on a mat to wait for the Chief, who was in his farm. The children were so curious about us and my camera. I took some pictures and showed them and it was delightful to see the joy and excitement in their faces. After a few hours waiting we heard that the chief was going to be late and that we should come back the next day. The minister invited us for the Sunday service and for the meal that they serve after. We accepted the invitation and went back to Mauliola for another delicious dinner.
On Sunday morning we dressed in our best and went to Church. Susui has 74 habitants only and they were all there, all dressed in their best. The men all wear the traditional sulu and the women wear long dresses. The service was all in Fjian, which we don't understand, but we enjoyed the music. They have powerful voices which was augmented by the fact that the church is so small. After the service, we all went to the Minister's house where the meal was served. The meal was cooked in the lovo (in a hole filled with rocks that have been heated up by a fire. The food is wrapped in leaves and placed over the hot rocks, covered with banana leaves and then sand). There was way too much food and it was very tasty. Fish with plantain, cooked in coconut milk, cassava, some sort of yam, bok choi also cooked with coconut as well as another type of green they call pele. There was also a stir fried noodle dish, the only one cooked with ingredients that were not grown in the island. We brought a chocolate cake and a banana bread for desert. After the meal I had all the children around me looking at photos in my Ipad but when the work cake was spoken they all ran to get a piece. My photos and I were no competition with the cake. My popularity was also shaken later when Larry, our engineer fixed the village generator which has been out of commission for 2 months. When the generator came back on line there were shouts of joy and they all expressed so much gratitude. By the end of the day we finally had our sevusevu. The chief was vey thankful for us fixing the generator and welcomed us to the village. Today I went to the village again to bring some school supplies for them. I had a delightful time with the two teachers, while Larry was fixing the small school generator which had been broken for many months. More hurrays and claps when the roar of the engine was heard. We were given a basket of green coconuts and started to walk back to the beach when we were asked to fix another generator. This last one couldn't be fixed as we didn't have the parts. These small generators are their only source of power and no one in the village know how to fix them. They are very isolated and can't get any parts nor help from anyone but cruisers like us. There is so much more to write about Susui but this post is already too long. I will just say that we had fresh lobster for dinner and that tomorrow we are going to a lagoon nearby for a clam and oyster feast. My Aloha to all and until next time.

Conceiçao