Come sail with me on a virtual cruise on Majestic Princess to Fiji!

[CruzinNoony]

This is sure a beautiful spot where your driver brought you to.  You saved the day by taking a chance on going for a tour of the island.  It would have been a shame for us all to miss it!  Interesting that you had an Indian themed dinner.  In all of our cruises, I don't believe we have ever had one.  I would have enjoyed it as I enjoy Indian food now and then and it would have been fun to have something different.  I'm so happy to hear that your hubby is recuperating nicely!

[azbirdmom]

Thanks for showing that the sun does shine in Suva after all.  And that traffic always stinks around the port.

 

In Savusavu we had a tour booked to go snorkeling to Lighthouse Point.  It was the last tour they were doing of the day to that location and we were to meet around 2 (per my recollection). 

 

Aboard the Majestic, we were hearing the updates on delays getting the tender spot set up (the usual one wasn't possible to use) and it was sounding like the whole stop may be cancelled.  But the Princess team came through and fashioned a ramp that was a bit more treacherous than the normal tender ramps as it was on a floating dock but they ensured we were all taken care of.

 

Given the weather, we chose to go ashore a bit after noon and skipped from tent to store trying to dodge the persistent raindrops.  Not very successful but we tried.  We did manage to buy a few things, most notibly hard toothbrushes for DH.  He loves those but they are difficult to find in the USA.

 

At the appointed time we went back to the building by the tender ramp to secure our tour stickers and after we were all there, we walked to two boats nearby.  Once underway we stopped at the Cousteau resort to pick up additional snorkel gear and life vests as there were more than they expected on our boat (the second boat had fewer than they should have - whoops).

 

We were all huddled under the cover of the boat trying to shield ourselves from the wind and rain.  In a short while we arrived at Lighthouse point and while it looked quite wavy, we jumped in one by one.  After we were all in the waves and wind picked up significantly and snorkelers were getting thrown in all directions.  I couldn't keep my face in the water without a wave washing over me and filling my snorkel.  Hard as I tried, I could not keep my snorkel clear.  And a quick check revealed that we were all far from the boat despite having not deliberately moved much on our own.

 

The crew on the dive boat quickly assessed that this was a bad situation and began manuevering the boat to groups of snorkelers and threw lines out to help get us all back safely.  When back on the boat, I bent over to take off my fins, water gushed out of my nose and continued to do so for a while.  Let's just say that I had no need of a sinus rinse for the rest of the trip!  It could have been so much worse!  We were told that it was never like that and that they never would have allowed us in the water had they known what would happen.  From what little I saw it would have been an amazing stop under calm conditions but the weather gods were not smiling on us.

 

The crew huddled for a while and then decided to take us back to the Cousteau resort to snorkel.  It was very calm there and we saw some fish and coral.  Even an eel.  Most interestingly though we saw spots where there were wires and plastic on the bottom where they were growing coral.  Good to see them doing something nice for the environment.  At least we got to do a little snorkeling but it sure wasn't the best day for an outing like that!

 

We wound up on one of the last tenders back and definitely lifted a glass or two after our harrowing experience.  I think your choice for the day was again wiser than our's!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aboard the dive boat, just before almost getting washed out to sea 

 

 

Cousteau resort (first stop there)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another one of those glowing spots in the water as we sail away

 

[AF-1]

On 7/27/2020 at 7:09 PM, Lido deck main said:

When I was in high school, McDonalds had a promotion if you could sing that jingle in 10 seconds or less you could get a Big Mac for free.  The promotion ran for a week.  Boy did I learn that song.   The  promotion work, I still remember that jingle and can still do it in less than 10 seconds.  

Very cool.  I love McDonalds

[AF-1]

The island makes some good money that helps them keep going.  Thanks for stopping at that small island

[ellie1145]

High up on the telegraph wires we see some birds. These cheeky birds watch us intently. 

 

 

The cat is decidedly uninterested in the antics of the birds. 

We take our leave of our kind hosts, and walk through their beautiful garden to where the van is waiting.  We hop in and drive back down the steep slope. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 31, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

2 hours ago, CruzinNoony said:

This is sure a beautiful spot where your driver brought you to.  You saved the day by taking a chance on going for a tour of the island.  It would have been a shame for us all to miss it!  Interesting that you had an Indian themed dinner.  In all of our cruises, I don't believe we have ever had one.  I would have enjoyed it as I enjoy Indian food now and then and it would have been fun to have something different.  I'm so happy to hear that your hubby is recuperating nicely!

 

It certainly was such a lucky break to find this driver and to be taken to such an unusual place, off the beaten track. I love seeing the countryside and to see how locals live, and this gave us a real insight into the area around Savusavu. 

 

Poor DH has had a difficult day. All the medication he received during and after the op has worn off and he is now experiencing quite a lot of pain and discomfort, which is only to be expected. He is pretty bruised and battered, but must just go with the flow. He is taking regular painkillers which help a little. Hopefully in a couple of days he will begin to feel better. 

[ellie1145]

57 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

We wound up on one of the last tenders back and definitely lifted a glass or two after our harrowing experience.  I think your choice for the day was again wiser than our's!

 

Wow, azbirdmom, you certainly have some exciting times on your tours! That snorkelling trip sounds pretty scary. I am sure you were very glad to get back onboard. 

 

Thank you for posting all those photos. ‘They certainly show what bad weather we had that day. I loved looking at them all.

 

Such a shame the weather was so bad as it really is a beautiful place, but tomorrow I am going to take everybody in my Tardis, to experience some of the best Savusavu can offer.... so watch this space. 

[voljeep]

1 hour ago, azbirdmom said:

Thanks for showing that the sun does shine in Suva after all.  And that traffic always stinks around the port.

 

In Savusavu we had a tour booked to go snorkeling to Lighthouse Point.  It was the last tour they were doing of the day to that location and we were to meet around 2 (per my recollection). 

 

Aboard the Majestic, we were hearing the updates on delays getting the tender spot set up (the usual one wasn't possible to use) and it was sounding like the whole stop may be cancelled.  But the Princess team came through and fashioned a ramp that was a bit more treacherous than the normal tender ramps as it was on a floating dock but they ensured we were all taken care of.

 

Given the weather, we chose to go ashore a bit after noon and skipped from tent to store trying to dodge the persistent raindrops.  Not very successful but we tried.  We did manage to buy a few things, most notibly hard toothbrushes for DH.  He loves those but they are difficult to find in the USA.

 

At the appointed time we went back to the building by the tender ramp to secure our tour stickers and after we were all there, we walked to two boats nearby.  Once underway we stopped at the Cousteau resort to pick up additional snorkel gear and life vests as there were more than they expected on our boat (the second boat had fewer than they should have - whoops).

 

We were all huddled under the cover of the boat trying to shield ourselves from the wind and rain.  In a short while we arrived at Lighthouse point and while it looked quite wavy, we jumped in one by one.  After we were all in the waves and wind picked up significantly and snorkelers were getting thrown in all directions.  I couldn't keep my face in the water without a wave washing over me and filling my snorkel.  Hard as I tried, I could not keep my snorkel clear.  And a quick check revealed that we were all far from the boat despite having not deliberately moved much on our own.

 

The crew on the dive boat quickly assessed that this was a bad situation and began manuevering the boat to groups of snorkelers and threw lines out to help get us all back safely.  When back on the boat, I bent over to take off my fins, water gushed out of my nose and continued to do so for a while.  Let's just say that I had no need of a sinus rinse for the rest of the trip!  It could have been so much worse!  We were told that it was never like that and that they never would have allowed us in the water had they known what would happen.  From what little I saw it would have been an amazing stop under calm conditions but the weather gods were not smiling on us.

 

The crew huddled for a while and then decided to take us back to the Cousteau resort to snorkel.  It was very calm there and we saw some fish and coral.  Even an eel.  Most interestingly though we saw spots where there were wires and plastic on the bottom where they were growing coral.  Good to see them doing something nice for the environment.  At least we got to do a little snorkeling but it sure wasn't the best day for an outing like that!

 

We wound up on one of the last tenders back and definitely lifted a glass or two after our harrowing experience.  I think your choice for the day was again wiser than our's!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aboard the dive boat, just before almost getting washed out to sea 

 

 

Cousteau resort (first stop there)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another one of those glowing spots in the water as we sail away

 

 

[ellie1145]

45 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Very cool.  I love McDonalds

 

AF-1 I’m afraid I haven’t been able to find you a McDonalds in the last few days. Or even a Starbucks! 🥴

[ellie1145]

We drive along the coast...

 

Then it's on to the coast, where last time I swam, but today the sea is a dark and a muddy colour due to the amount of debris that the storm has swept down into its waters.

 

 

From memory I think this is the Cousteau resort which azbirdmom visited.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the beach where I swam last time but the tide is right up. Last time I walked out across very shallow water for a great distance, before reaching water deep enough to swim in. There is no sign of the beach we sat on. The sea looks unforgiving, definitely not for swimming in today.  

 

 

 

The sea is dark and full of debris.

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

It is clear that an enormous amount of water has fallen over the past 24 hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The winds are strong and some branches have come down into the road.

 

 

We pass these extraordinary rock formations in the sea with palm trees on them. 

[azbirdmom]

2 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

 

Wow, azbirdmom, you certainly have some exciting times on your tours! That snorkelling trip sounds pretty scary. I am sure you were very glad to get back onboard. 

 

Thank you for posting all those photos. ‘They certainly show what bad weather we had that day. I loved looking at them all.

 

Such a shame the weather was so bad as it really is a beautiful place, but tomorrow I am going to take everybody in my Tardis, to experience some of the best Savusavu can offer.... so watch this space. 

 

Thank you but I still think that you made the better choice with the tour you took!  Your pictures are beautiful.  Looking forward to seeing Savusavu in better weather.  It certainly seemed like the clouds were hiding a lot of her charms.

 

Best wishes to your DH!

[ellie1145]

8 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

 

Thank you but I still think that you made the better choice with the tour you took!  Your pictures are beautiful.  Looking forward to seeing Savusavu in better weather.  It certainly seemed like the clouds were hiding a lot of her charms.

 

Best wishes to your DH!

 

Well, thanks to the wonders of virtual reality, you can join us on our tour, too! 🤣

 

And today I will pop you into my Tardis so you can see the beautiful side of SavuSavu. 

Edited August 1, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

We head  back towards town, and the rain has stopped at last. 

 

 

 

We pass lots of little shops - is that Dulux paint I spy?

 

 

We pass the little stalls set up near the tender dock, but we don't stop. Our driver has a couple more places to take us. 

The mist is beginning to clear and we can see Majestic Princess in all her glory, lying at anchor. 

 

 

We turn into a residential enclave and our driver tells us his family live here, and his brother owns the house and business in the photo. There are enormous amounts of stock piled up on the veranda. 

He proudly drives us past his old school. Education is regarded as most important in these islands and he is pleased to show us where he was educated. 

 

 

He has one  more surprise up his sleeve........

Edited August 1, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

🎵   Feelin' Hot, Hot, Hot! 🎵

 

 

 

On our way back the guide takes us to the natural hot springs. It’s something I’ve never seen before, but here the water bubbles up out of the ground, scalding hot, with the steam rising from it. 

 

 

 

There are a couple of small pools, which look none too clean, and which are full of debris, but apparently the locals bring their food here to cook in the boiling water.

 

 

 

 

Even the small stream which runs alongside is warm. It’s fascinating to see and something I will always remember. 

 

We climb back into the van and return to the tender station. 

 

Edited August 1, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

I take a few more photos of Majestic Princess before we walk along past the market stalls. Sadly, there won't be many more opportunities to see her in all her splendour as we are turning for home.

 

 

 

 

 

Plenty of jewellery, which looks good.

These bowls are inlaid with mother of pearl. 

 

 

 

But the tender awaits... and afternoon tea if we are quick!

 

[ellie1145]

Goodbye, Savusavu!

 

 

The mist has cleared, and Majestic Princess is clearly visible at anchor in the natural harbour, although it’s still dull and cloudy.

 

 

The little band is still playing music as we climb onboard the tender before leaving for the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s been an extraordinary afternoon, a serendipitous adventure which we hadn’t expected when we landed on Savusavu. 

 

That’s one of the joys of cruising, you never quite know what to expect.

 

Edited August 1, 2020 by ellie1145

[CruzinNoony]

Could that have been DH looking at the rising waters???  I loved those little islands in the ocean with the tree growing out of them.  I sure am hoping DH will be feeling better soon!

 

[ellie1145]

2 hours ago, CruzinNoony said:

Could that have been DH looking at the rising waters???  I loved those little islands in the ocean with the tree growing out of them.  I sure am hoping DH will be feeling better soon!

 

‘Fraid not, CruzinNoony! 🤣  He’s still incognito...

 

They are fascinating aren’t they? I think they look like pirate ships in full sail. 
 

Thank you for your kind wishes. He’s had a slightly better day today. So hopefully things will begin to improve. 
 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

The Cruising Adventurers become Time Travellers..

 

The day has been interesting despite being oh so rainy, but I cannot let you leave Savusavu without seeing it’s real beauty.  So join me in my Tardis and I will whisk you back in time to January 2019 and show you a different side of Savusavu.

 

 

Are you ready? Then off we go.......don’t worry, it may look small but we will all be able to fit inside....

 

[DUCHESSRN]

Ellie ..I hope your husband has a better day tomorrow ...these things take time and really lots of time for healing with not much we can do .

We were meant to be sailing out of SFO for Alaska today , I told my husband we would have probably been unpacking now .

I look forward to enjoying a few more sea days with you .

[ellie1145]

3 minutes ago, DUCHESSRN said:

Ellie ..I hope your husband has a better day tomorrow ...these things take time and really lots of time for healing with not much we can do .

We were meant to be sailing out of SFO for Alaska today , I told my husband we would have probably been unpacking now .

I look forward to enjoying a few more sea days with you .

 

Oh no, DuchessRN, I can imagine how you are feeling. By now you should have been watching sailaway and looking forward to your first dinner onboard. 

 

Well, all I can do is take you away from all that sadness and show you a little more of Savusavu. I hope that our afternoon trip will bring a smile to your lips.....

 

Yes, DH has had a better day. It all takes time, even though they send you out of hospital much sooner, there is still a lot to recover from. I think the psyche of coming out within hours makes you feel that you should be up and about and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and we sometimes forget that an operation has to have a recovery period even now. 

 

Hope you enjoy our next trips..

[ellie1145]

Our first glimpse of Savusavu, and it's a beautiful day..

 

I draw back the curtains and step onto our balcony to a beautiful morning. We are gliding slowly into Savusavu and the sun is just rising above the hillsides.  It's still early and sailing into a new port is one of the great joys of cruising.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

The sun is up and we are getting closer to where the ship will drop anchor as  today we will be tendering into port. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have a ship's tour booked for this afternoon, to the Waisali Rainforest Reserve, but this morning I would like to find a beach and have a swim, so we make our way onshore and find a willing taxi driver who says he will take us to the Blue Lagoon. It's a beautiful morning and I can't wait. 

[ellie1145]

A band is waiting to greet us with music.

 

Our driver takes us to his car and we set off into the countryside. 

 

 

 

 

We travel past small villages, and our driver points out his house. The houses look well cared for and he is proud to tell us of his life here.

 

The countryside is green and verdant with lush tropical growth and tall towering trees.  It's no wonder that many Americans choose this island for their vacation homes.