Entry formalities
We arrived in Savusavu in the early morning. The Copra Shed Marina team, contacted by VHF, comes to welcome us and assign us a buoy.
The small bay is lined with mangroves and surrounded by mountains. The tide lets appear on the beach the steam generated by hot springs, remains of a volcanic activity.
On board our sailboat, we will still be waiting for the authorities to pass. When the customs, immigration and various health controllers will finally visit us, our passports stamped, we will officially have the right to enter the territory.
Exotic atmosphere
Once the formalities are completed, we can finally put down the yellow flag and disembark!
Left-hand drive, music in the street, brightly colored building facades, pretty green buses, children going to school in uniformsâ?¦ the atmosphere in Savusavu is warm and we are happy to be back in civilization.
Here, all the activity is concentrated around a main square, which gathers the "Savusavu Bus Station", the "Taxi Stand" and the "Municipal Market". Along the main road, for a little more than a kilometer, there are shops. In Savusavu, there is no lack of anything: there are several supermarkets, bazaars, clothing stores, restaurants, hairdressers, bakeries...
More than a third of the Fijian population is of Indian origin, and it shows! The restaurant menus offer delicious curries and you can buy Indian products for almost nothing.
All the inhabitants we meet are smiling and welcoming. Fijians love children: ours attracts all the eyes and we easily engage the dialogue.
Getting ready for the next part of the journey
Before taking the direction of the Yasawa islands to spend a few weeks there, we must carry out a consequent provisioning.
In the big municipal market, there are fish, Yaqona, a kind of local kava, fruits and vegetables, eggs and spices. We fill up on fresh products and buy Yaqona for the Sevusevu in the Yasawa islands, we will have to go and introduce ourselves to the village chief and offer him some kava before we can visit.
After buying a local sim card, we will be almost ready for the departure. We will refuel on the dedicated pontoon, and cross the road to get a few cans at the small gas station in front of the mooring. With our Fijian navigation permit issued by the customs service, we will be ready to set sail for new adventures.
