12 June 2012, Somewhere in Fiji…..
Captain Ken needed some downtime in his high tech cave so today the wives set off given only a set of coordinates and a bag of bananas to meet him 7 hours later in Viani Bay. The race was on!
Cousteau to Bucca Bay
Fortified with cappuccinos and Pure Fijian body lotion from the Cousteau resort bathroom, we were ready for the 2.5 hour cross country upwind and northerly taxi journey. Poor Remond was our taxi driver and the 4 of us belted up (not) and ear bashed him the whole way, asking him for useful survivor tips like the secret to a happy marriage and did he know the way to Viani Bay. Arriving to the tiny jetty of Bucca Bay, we offered to pay him handsomely in either Fijian Dollars or head-ache tablets.
Bucca Bay to Tavaeuni
Our clue for the next leg lay in the ripped T-shirt wearing, toothless, handsome in his own way Joe, who was selling tickets for the ferry. Despite our urgency to beat Captain Ken to the final destination, we cross examined our new friend Joe as to his recipe to a happy life and marriage. Realising the ferry was filling fast we sadly had to leave Joe mid-sentence.
Liz led the charge to declare our status as mothers (despite the lack of children) which enabled us to nail the last 4 ferry seats. To our dismay it would have been more expedient to consider other options as the ferry was agonisingly slow. Noni had suggested a water taxi but even swimming or canoeing would have been faster!
Tavaeuni
Arriving frazzled due to the loss of time, we negotiated a lunch in a shed with the wife of the fresh taxi driver. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to interrogate him as our stomachs were yelling louder. Aperitifs were served, namely freshly squeezed cordial, as she plated up chilli infused poulet and root vegetables on a bed of rice (coque and root curry). Animal, we’ve got tips for you!
The Second Crossing – Tavaeuni to Viani
Fed and watered, and with renewed vigour, we were back on track. Another crossing ahead, we stumbled upon local identity, man about town, Jack Fisher. We instantly recognised him as the key to our success. He had a boat. The three thong-clad wives clambered aboard with differing levels of dexterity. Realising that Janice was slowing the team down with her runners still on, Jack scooped her up with one hand and a belly laugh of a war cry and deposited her gently aboard. The final leg was underway. Jack had neatly negotiated with a local minister in his long boat to carry us safely to Viani Bay. At this stage we had no knowledge of Ken’s coordinates but we grinned with optimism at our savviness in securing this speedy vessel.
As we silently approached Viani Bay (video in production….) we were overjoyed to spot the good ship Resolute, sails billowing & skilfully navigating the coral reef. How magnificent she looked. It came to a line finish with Resolute winning by a whisker.