We really did not want to leave the unique and mystifying Bay of Islands, but some of our friends had arranged for a Lovo (Fijian underground BBQ) and we did not want to miss it. So, we head over to the NorthEast side of Vanua Balavu to a new anchorage called Bavatu.
We discovered that there is a beautiful look out over this bay, Bavatu and the Bay of Islands. So, we make our way to the end of the anchorage. We tie the dinghy up to a dock and find the hand-made 271 step stair case. Not all the steps are even, or the same distance from the next, or nailed all the way in. But, there is a railing, and they get you to where you need to go! The record for fastest run up the stairs is 53 seconds!
Once you reach the top, you walk through a field until you get to the care takers village which consisted of 8 small houses and a community center. After you walk through the village, you cross over another huge field (for the cows), until you get to a small dirt path. You follow this path until it goes up hill, then you turn at the “grave site” (yes, there is a grave here) and then the view takes your breath away!
The top photos show the village and one of the wooded paths, the center and bottom right are the beautiful views and the bottom left is the grave site.
Across the field are the houses of the two plantation owners. Tony lives in the big white house where his family has lived for generations and hundreds of years! I took photos of both houses from the top and from the anchorage.
We came across a lot of their animals. They had a heard of cows, sheep and horses. Lots of beautiful birds and butterflies fluttered about too.
LOVO – FIJIAN BBQ
The locals caught, cleaned and prepared the sheep early in the morning. They put the sheep and sides underground to cook for several hours before serving. The food is placed in baskets made of palm fronds, then placed on hot stones. They are covered with more palm fronds, then plastic, more palm fronds, then dirt.
Each boat brought a side or desert and the feast commenced!
Everyone is supposed to jump off the little deck but I did not have my bathing suit on. So, Matt jumped for the both of us.
It was lovely to spend the afternoon with other cruisers and the locals of Bavatu. Tasty Fijian food, local music and lots of laughter.
We so loved our time at Bay of Islands in Vanua Balavu in our last blog. This blog occurred in late June 2022. Our blogs run 10-12 weeks behind actual events. Thanx for reading!