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| A rusty sailboat remains on the shore in Savusavu. |
Today’s photos are from this date while spending three months in
Savusavu, Fiji, on the island of Vanua Levu. For the story from this date, please click here.
Right now, under these peculiar circumstances, as we review past experiences, we’re concluding that every place we visited would be a welcome relief compared to the challenges we’re facing today. The heat, the lack of screens on windows, the lack of air-con at many holiday homes, the insects, the possibility of snakes, power outages, high prices on food, supplies, and rental cars all seem insignificant right now.
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| The grocery store where we shop for a few items each week. There was only one aisle with food. The other two aisles consisted of cleaning supplies, Christmas decorations, and Diwali fireworks. |
No, we didn’t complain a lot, and overall, as our long-time readers know, we weathered many difficult situations. Instead, we focused on the good aspects of each location, savoring the scenery, the local culture, the people, the wildlife, and the opportunity to see many magical points of interest.
As we review these past adventures, in a way, we relive them, grateful for the depth and breadth of those experiences, any of which we’d exchange in a minute right now. We’ve considered returning to some of those locations if international flights were available from Mumbai. They are not.
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| The reflection of the blue sky on the still water in Savusavu lagoon. |
We’d even considered returning to some of those same holiday homes if they too were available at this time and reachable from the airport here. Some locations can be reached from the US. We could fly to the US and take numerous flights from there. But the thought of spending 36 to 42 hours flying and changing planes at multiple airports presents its risks for COVID-19, one we don’t want to take.
You may think we are overly cautious when many in the US don’t even know anyone who’s had the virus. But, three of our family members in the US had it and fortunately avoided a hospital stay. And here, in India, like in the US, the risk is outrageous with unmasked crowds gathering at every turn.
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| A skinny nursing dog scrounging for food among the rocks. |
From the CDC in the US:
In general, your risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19 increases as you get older. 8 out of 10 COVID-19-related deaths reported in the United States have been among adults aged 65 years and older.
It isn’t rocket science for us to figure out that staying put right now makes more sense than trying to travel any more than we have to. Once international flights open up for us to head to South Africa, there shouldn’t be more than one layover. We can fly to Johannesburg at that time, rent a car and drive five hours to Marloth Park.
It’s unlikely we will fly to the Mpumalanga/Nelspruit/Kruger Airport once South Africa’s borders open to US citizens and those arriving from India.
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| We often wondered who owned these boats? Are they ex-pats living in Fiji or visitors stopping for supplies after being out to sea? |
If we have to stay here in this hotel for months to come, we’ve decided, we can last. Yesterday, I reminded Tom of the perks we have in this situation as follows:
- No cleaning or making the bed
- No cooking or doing dishes
- No taking out the trash
- No hanging clothes on the line
- No necessity for Tom to drive me to the market since I can’t go a manual transmission with my left hand on the opposite side of the road
- No putting groceries away
- No packing and unpacking every few months
The view across the Savusavu Harbour to Nawii Island, where properties were under construction.
As for the less desirable aspects, well, you’ve all read enough about these. I suppose it pays to focus on the things we “don’t have to do” to somehow help us stay optimistic and upbeat.
May your day be optimistic and upbeat wherever you may be.
Photo from one year ago today, November 6, 2019:
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| Hot and sweaty after dancing at the silent disco on the ship. For more photos, please click here. |
Tom, I think of you and Jess every once in a while and wonder how the world travelers are, especially with Covid now. Aunt Bertha told me of your travels some years back, and it’s always interesting to see where you are and how you’re doing. You both have amazing attitudes, and I wish you both all the best — and most of all, I wish you both excellent health. Sue Thorson Hecker
Sue, it’s great to hear from you. Thanks for reaching out and your thoughtful comments. We hope you and your family are holding up well during these unusual times. The very best to you of all. Give our regards to Aunt Bertha and thank her for sending you our way.
Warmest regards,
Tom & Jess