"Time Flies in Savusavu"

10 August 2020

Several expats and visitors here have said "time just gets away from you here in Savusavu". We never intended to be here over 10 days though. Nothing from Immigration about our visa but we have until the end of August. We have gone out to anchor off the Cousteau Resort a couple weekends just to get away from the activity of downtown and swim in some clean water.

We have both been busy with boat chores with John chasing some charging issues and leaks again after the big bash into Savuasavu did some damage to loose cables. John has been wanting a more tropical look in the seat covers and found a bolt of material with big green palms on a red background in a local dry goods store. Fabric here is so inexpensive I committed to re-making the perfectly functional ones done before we left and now soft after several washings.

I guess the real reason we are still here (besides the Surf & Turf restaurant) is we both have some pretty deep infections from boat bites and spider/mosquito bites that require attention four times a day to soak and clean out. John's, Nurse Mom, is trying to help with texts but finally said we need to see the local doctor. Medicine here is free to locals so they were happy to see me here on a walk-in/cash basis ($20 Fijian each); he would not even touch me and prescribed antibiotics and a topical cream for the craters growing on my legs. The hospital here is over the hill on the way to the airport but everyone said go to the Sanitarium Hot Springs private doctor that did our cursory Immigrations health check. It very much reminded me of an Adventist Clinic and Day Spa from my Weimar days.

We have international health coverage but have never had to pay enough to utilize since prescriptions and visits have been so inexpensive in the South Pacific Islands. I had my friend Kathy check out my medical kit several times before we left but have only really used minor wound care products the entire 2.5 years.

After a couple days of antibiotics I am starting to feel human again and it is time to get out of here before Savusavu becomes our forever home. We still wanted to visit some sites but will have to return for the visa extensions at some point either by boat or bus.

See you later Savusavu!