Day 187 Robinson Crusoe Island

We want to make one more stop before reaching Musket Cove so we aim for Likuri Island just off the south coast of Viti Levu near the town of Natadola Beach. In the Lonely Planet Guide it says the Robinson Crusoe Resort is very friendly. This is confirmed when we call them on the radio to get directions for the pass through the reef and are told that they are sending a boat out to guide us in.
A very large Fijian man in a metal boat appears and not only guides us to the resort but tells us the best place to anchor. Our first impression is that the water is not at all clear – unlike the island we just left – and we realize that there is a river at the head of the harbor that puts silt into the water.
We all go ashore where we are welcomed by the owners – two couples from Australia. They invite us to participate in all of the activities of their guests and to use all of their facilities. The venue is a “backpacker’s” resort so the facilities are minimal but everyone seems nice and it has a bit of a Club Med feel with the workers interacting with the guests and seeming to have as much fun.
There is a young doctor from London, half a dozen Irish students and the rest of the guests are from Australia and New Zealand. The owners tell us that the normal number of guests is well over 100 but the current total is less than 50. Everywhere we go we hear the same story of the drop off in tourists due to the recent coup – yet, as I have said previously, there is no sign of political unrest. Since 911, the world has been a skittish place.
We spend one of the laziest days of the whole trip sitting in hammocks looking out at the lagoon and reading our books. Normally we would have some exercise in the water but this harbor does not look very inviting and we don’t even go in. I finish “The Sex Lives of Cannibals” - the second humorous book I have read that is written by someone who lived among the local people on a remote South Pacific Island and observed their unique culture. Since we have also observed some of this culture, the clever wit of these authors is quite entertaining.
We have dinner on the boat and retire early. It has been a strenuous day.