Friday Nov 7th- Flying to Vanua Levu, Savusavu

This morning we pack up our belongings and after breakfast we checked out of the Hideaway. We knew it would be about a 2 hours drive to Suva... It was closer to a 3 hour drive- there many speed bumps, police and speed traps... The max speed is 80km/hr (50mph) and winding roads. It felt like such a long drive but so much to see. Ben was still struggling with stomach cramps. Two hours after breakfast we gave him a dose of Azithromycin just in case the bug is bacterial. I'm not sure. We are a loose bunch!! TMI. I told the kids you are not allowed to toot with your shorts up. We all just laugh and roll our eyes. (Misery loves company and so Grandma joined the ranks at 4am this morning)  Sorry for all those details but it has been a significant element of our adventure the last two days 🤪 

I know I said it before but the scenery is so lush and beautiful! I took pictures of the views along the way. We made it to Suva and to the small Nausori airport. No lines and only about 50 ft of walking to get through check in, through security and to the waiting lounge. 

As we waited we could see our plane right there on the tarmac ... Anticipation! We were looking forward to the view and pinching ourselves with excitement. 

We saw a smaller plane arriving and no sooner did Jeff tell us that he would fly on small planes island to island that we spotted a sister missionary and two elders deplaning from the small aircraft. So fun to see! Jeff and I quickly left the waiting area, walked back through the security and outside where we saw two elders and two sisters (one older and one younger) waiting for the arriving missionaries. We chatted for a minute and the elders couldn't believe Jeff's fluent Fijian! We saw them reunite with the arriving missionaries and they all looked so happy. Jeff was jealous in a good way. We found out the missionaries were arriving from Savusavu. Jeff inquired about a few areas and found out Rabi and Nabua no longer have missionaries. We chatted for a few minutes and bid farewell. Definitely a highlight for the day!

Boarding the plane right on the tarmac was a new experience for many of us.  The flight was absolutely thrilling and we had great views the entire 45 min flight.

We landed at the tiny airport in Labasa. The car rental went smoothly- two cars were there for us with a man ready to do the paperwork (no rental office there, just Ronil (?). We realized there were no seatbelt access for the back row (a custom vinyl cover was blocking them) the man who we were renting from said that in Fiji you don't have seatbelt laws... Grandma insisted that we have access to the seatbelts. He popped up the seat and fished out the seat belt ends that we didn't know were there. This was my first time driving on the left side of the road so we needed all the safety we could get!

The rental payment was cash only so Ronil hopped in a taxi and we followed him to Savusavu and parked downtown. It was a small downtown area but really busy. First stop atm to get cash, then we asked where is the best place for a restroom and a bit to eat. Tiny food mall, the kids got nuggets while Jeff worked with digicel across the street to get sim cards for his and my phones. Then on to rb grocery store for soda and snacks for the way to Savusavu

We stopped for gas and to fill the tires on my car... We had asked when getting the car if the two right tires needed air, the renter said they were low to make the ride more comfortable... Then as leaving a different taxi man told us the tires needed air. 

The drive to Savusavu took almost 2 hours. Labasa landscape was drier (still green), more open and arid. Good for growing sugar cane. We were surprised how mountainous this island is! A few jutting peaks alllmost felt like we were in Switzerland (ok they were much smaller than the Matterhorn, but you get the idea!)

The landscape turned more lush as we got to Savusavu we went over a summit before getting to savusavu bay. This drive was way better than the drive to Suva (less windy!)

We arrived at our rental house and were absolutely astoibded by the beautiful view. This is unreal!! 

Jeff had been out to a boat driver in Karoko to see about hiring him to take us out to Rabi! Jeff dreams of going to Rabi but we need to do it in one day especially if we want to take eveyone (there is nowhere to sleep I can't imagine winging it with 5 kids in tow). The man with the boat says he or his son will be there at 8 am with a boat and will take us to Rabi for $160 FJD. It looks like it's going to happen! It's an hour and a half drive so wish us luck that nothing falls through. Getting to Rabi would mean so much to Jeff!! I can't believe it might actually happen.