We arrived at the Nabavatu Plantation on July 2nd and were welcomed by our friends Karen and Cheryl of SY Interlude who invited us to join them for an afternoon hike.
We had a quick lunch (homemade Pesto courtesy The Captain) and then we were off.
Our first stop was at the Corpra Shed where Coconut Oil production was underway. It takes 11 coconuts to make 1 liter of coconut oil and the team here produces 30 liters a day.
So how is coconut oil produced?
First, the coconuts are split in two. Then, a machine is used to extract and chop the coconut meat.
The coconut meat is then dried on a large stove to remove excess water.
Once dried, the coconut is put in a cylinder.
Muscle is then used to extract the coconut oil.
There is little time for rest.
After our education in coconut oil creation, we headed uphill through town to a beautiful look-out of the Bay of Islands.
The end of day lighting did not prove optimal for photographs, so Karen and Cheryl kindly agreed to accompany me for a second trip to the view point.
We retraced our steps the next morning and enjoyed a beautiful, sunlit view.
For a change of pace, we decided to return to the dinghy dock via another route, the 271 steps!
According to signage, the record for ascending these steps is 56 seconds set in 2010 by Alex Locke. We chose to descend the stairs at a more moderate pace.
In the afternoon, much needed rain set after a two month absence here. In between showers, we delighted in rainbows, explored the anchorage by dinghy, and snorkeled for lobsters (who successfully evaded detection).
On the 4th of July (the 5th here in Fiji), there was a break in the rain long enough for the boats (Canadians, French, German, Italian and US) to celebrate on land with a Potluck at the Royal Exploring Isles Yacht Squadron.
We lifted anchor on July 7th after the rains fully subsided and headed northward from Vanua Balavu to Wailagilala …and beyond.
Submitted for Jo’s Monday Walk
Too beautiful for words, Lisa! 🙂 I especially love the photo with the little boy squatted down. Thank you so much for sharing your world with me.
I thought of you the minute I started off on the walk Jo! Thank you so much for your kind words. The photo with the little boy squatted down is my favorite too! He was angelic! Sorry I’ve been a bit absent from your world. We were without internet for a bit and I am playing catch-up now. Will be by for a visit shortly.
No worries Lisa! You can’t be sailing the 7 seas and natter away online too. You have my permission to be absent whenever you need 🙂
How wonderful, you are having a great adventure. The photos are gorgeous.
It means a lot to me to hear you say that. You know I love your images!
Oh thanks Lisa
Agree with Jo – much too fascinating to put on words, Lisa… 🙂
Inspiring – excellent… 🙂
I am delighted you think so Drake! Thank you so much for your compliments. Greatly appreciated ☺️
Thanks Lisa. Your photos are fantastic. I especially love the one with the old man and the little boy squatting behind him. I was also fascinated to see how coconut oil is made.
You are so welcome Michelle! So pleased you enjoyed the post. The photo of the little boy squatting was my favorite too. He was angelic.
I like the way you take the time to get to know the people and document their stories.
Well thank you John. Often my photography is taken in the moment, on the streets without interaction but Vanua Balavu provided great opportunities to get to know people which I enjoyed.
Really great photo’s and a great lesson in Coconut oil production. 11 coconuts for 1 liter that’s interesting.
So pleased you liked the images and the narrative
I hope Biu and Josefata get the sleep they need.
…a well earned rest
I had no idea how coconut oil was made. That explains why it is so expensive. I love it that you get to meet so many people from so many different countries. You get a great “world view” in more ways that one!
It is a wonderful way to get an education Michele! How lucky am I! Surprisingly, especially for all the effort that goes into it, coconut oil is very inexpensive here. I guess it’s all the ‘middle-men’ involved in importing to the U.S. that cause the increase in price at home.
Of course I loved the little boy like everyone else, but that entrance path was what really called out to my hiker soul! The water scenes are pretty darn inviting also!
When I was walked through the plantation entrance my first thought was ‘heaven’. It was such an inviting path! And the view from the top was so great that I was going to hike the path a third time, but then boat chores beckoned :-(. Anyhow, thank you for stopping by Lexie. I enjoy your visits!
Lovely, lovely photos. And, my oh my, those steps are steep.
Lucky for us we ascended along a gently sloping path and left the stairs for the way down. Am so pleased that you found the photos lovely ☺️
🙂
Hi Lisa. I always read your posts, but don’t often check in with a reply. Still, I’m here, enjoying your adventure vicariously and enviously. I owe you a long email to catch up, and shall. For now, know I think of you often, speak of you often as a kindred spirit, and look so very much forward to seeing you soon. In the meantime, I shall see you here. Wishing you continued safe sailing in fair winds.
Wonderful to hear from you Janice! I wish you were here living the cruising life with us. I look forward to your mail to learn the latest goings on. Wishing you a great summer, enjoyable sailing in New York Harbor and beyond, short working hours and a quick replenishment of your cruising kitty. ⛵️
OK…new place to visit on my To Visit list: Bay of Islands.
I’m telling you Mr Badfish, Bay of Islands, and really, all of Fiji is a place you’ll never want to leave. We’ve been meeting so many cruisers who’ve been sailing it for years and can’t manage to leave. Like The ‘Hotel California’ but in a good way
[…] Vanua Balavu: Walking the Nabavatu Plantation […]
Love the rainbow–I am such a sucker for rainbows. I didn’t realize they were still had the copra sheds, etc. This is a step back in time. The image of the trail reminds me of Maui about 40+ years ago–my dad worked for a sugar plantation.
Well you’d love Fiji because we seem to get at least a hint of a rainbow somewhere everyday….but the so does Maui…..a place which has changed significantly in 40 years! Fiji’s change has been at a MUCH slower pace. Sugar is still here ( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiji_Sugar_Corporation)…but I think it is a trouble spot.
What an adventure you are on! And like others, the photo of the little boy squatting is a beauty!
So pleased you liked the image Jude! Thank you. ‘Tis a wonderful adventure indeed
One of my favourite tv shows to watch is ‘How It’s Made’, but they never show how things are made from unindustrialized countries, so this was fascinating to see. I suspect you’re right in that the middle men get all the excess profits from the coconut oil products.
Ooo, that sounds like a good show. They should come to the islands. Glad you enjoyed the post! Thank you
The photo with the little boy squatting down is amazing. The place looks like paradise and proves that you are really living!
Paradise indeed :-). Thank you so much for your compliment!
great photos!
I am so glad you like them Joe! Hope you and the family are doing well and enjoying a lovely summer!
I could definitely get my cardio done on those stairs. The rainbow is beautiful. And knew it took so many coconuts and such effort! I love reading your posts
Thank you Kirsten! I am delighted to know
Fascinating Lisa – so interested to read how coconut oil is extracted. Your photos are wonderful as ever! 🙂
Thank you so very much Rosemary. Glad you think so!
Thank you for another excellent photo essay. Growing up in the midwest I tend to think of crop harvesting as a process that involves large combines and even larger storage silos. This is really interesting.
You are lovely to say so Kim. Thank you! And your blog is making me miss my midwestern roots (sailing the Great Lakes). My dream is to finish my circumnavigation on Lake Michigan (Chicago), but right now, I’ll be happy if I can make it to South Africa.