Cyclone

No, we weren't killed by the cylcone. Hardly in any danger, really. But we were in the midst of it for a while, down in Savusavu on the southern region of Vanu Levu (the second biggest island in Fiji). We took a bus from Labassa and along the way the wind and rain picked up, and we even saw a few trees blown over and a bus stop smashed to bits. In Savusavu we were meant to catch a ferry to Taveuni (the third biggest island in Fiji, supposedly a jungle paradise island with waterfalls and natural waterslides). But the ferry captain decided the weather was too rough. So we switched to another bus, which claimed their ferry would make the run in spite of the weather. But before the bus could make it to the other ferry, we were halted by flooded roads, and had to turn back. We considered staying in Savusavu and trying to get to Taveuni the next day...but opted to return to Labassa instead. A couple of seconds after making this decision, the radio played a first-hand account of the weather on Taveuni: 100 knot winds of cyclone force, trees and houses getting toppled. Later we found out that we'd been near the center of the young cyclone "Gene" while in Savusavu, and that Taveuni had been hit first and the worst. Gene has now moved Southwest a bit, meaning away from us, but as cyclones have a habit of moving erratically, the short-term weather forecast is uncertain. At the moment we're kicking around in Labassa and trying to hop back onto Vorovoro for a day or three before flying out.

Vorovoro and Labassa

I am at the moment just back in Labassa, Fiji, from almost two weeks on Vorovoro, and am in the midst of an amazing experience. The Fijians on Vorovoro and the connected island, Mali, have treated us like family. I swear to God, hanging out with Jerome, Sosi, Mess, and Save is just like hanging out with Jerome, John, Marcus, and Brandon. Except there are huts instead of houses, and curries and kava instead of sushi and beer. Oh, and a waterfall shower. I'll post pictures and some stories once I get to Melbourne and settle in a bit...