This morning early we went to Mavana again. This time Noko was the helmsman. He’s better at negotiating the waves than Avinash, who just races to get to the destination. Today the sea was also a lot calmer than before and it was a pleasure to ride in Noko’s small boat. We had to drop the anchor about 500m from the shore and walk, as it was low tide and we couldn’t get any closer with the boat.
At Ema’s brother’s house, he and I chatted a bit and he wanted to know all about me and what brought me to Fiji. He showed me around a bit here on Mavana and I even saw Afrikaaner blommetjies (Marigolds). I asked him what they call these flowers here and told him we have the same in South Africa. He hesitated a moment then said, “Monkey fish!” Hmmm...I wonder what our forefathers would say about that?
I bought some supplies in the local shop and was so thrilled to find some KitKats. That they were ancient didn’t put me off and I bought the whole lot! On the way back I gave everyone a KitKat, but Para didn’t like it and gave it to someone else.
Back at Nabavatu’s tiny harbour, we had quite a bit to carry to the village. As usual Avinash took the not only the most, but also the heaviest. In the meantime Ema made coffee for us. Not that you can really call it coffee – it’s pale and weak and looks like dirty dish water – made only to colour the water, the same way they drink any cordial – just to colour the water. It’s because they are poor and can’t afford many things. It’s the idea that counts – to be able to say you had a cup of coffee.
Nightfall came and the wind howled relentlessly – causing poor Skapie to bleat non-stop. To ensure some sleep for all involved, I took a cardboard box and put Skapie in there next to my bed. I didn’t get too much sleep, however, because I had to keep my hand in the box so that Skapie could smell me and relax. Every time I took my hand out the box, she would start bleating again.
The islanders struggle to pronounce the name Skapie, so over here she is better known as Skoppie.
