Ocean Echo 1: September 2014

Dear friends

This post is dedicated to Vanua Balavu and Fulanga islands from Lau Group in Fiji. It is one of the most beautiful regions of Fiji and South Pacific. I did not have enough time to explore other Lau islands. Tidal range is a major factor, when planning visits to any islands. Reef protection is not so great at high tide with 1.5 meters of tidal range. Anchorages end up quite rolly at high tide if there is not enough land mass protection. Vanua Balavu is at Northern part of Lau Group. Fulanga is at Southern part of Lau Group. They are fairly close to Tonga. Sea water is cooler at Fulanga, which means little bit different coral reefs. Prevailing winds from S, SE, E carry offshore clouds to Southern shores of Fijian islands, which makes them rainy. Northern shores of Fijian islands are usually much dryer.
Fulanga island is very remote from any commercial town or city. Food, fuel and other supplies come about once a month. No stores, no Internet, no cars and very basic living. People of Fulanga are very friendly. There are 3 villages with one Head Chief - Daniel, who is about 87 years old. Kava drinking (sevusevu) with local family was an interesting event to be accepted in local community.
I have been trying to help out at some Fijian islands with mechanical repairs of generators and outboard engines. I have also tried to help with some computer programs and cyber information to the local schools.
Supply ship has arrived one day with big load of steel frames, towers and solar panels for many local families. It seems to be government supported program for some Fijian communities.
Lau islands are elevated coral formations, just like Niue island. Freestanding limestone rocks get eroded by constant wash of the swells and waves. It is difficult to grow anything on these islands. Soil is very thin and hard to find (rugged land). Locals are actually trying to produce soil/ground material by burning vegetation in dry season. I have seen a lot of bush/jungle fires around Fiji.
Lau islands now have a lot of cruising boats visiting during the dry (winter) season. Local communities are facing some changes in their traditional lifestyle due to boat traffic. Lau Group has not been included in cruising permit in the past. Most of cruisers are trying to help out to local communities to keep good, but fragile thing going. Lau Group has been taken off the cruising permit before as well due to some problems. Fulanga is not serviced by any tourist companies, air service or ferry/shuttle service. It is a privilege to be able to visit this beautiful part of the Pacific!!
School of pilot whales visited me on the way out of Fulanga passage.
I will be staying at Savusavu area for a while before heading North to Marshall Islands in October.

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I managed to organize my old and new blog sites. All of the older blog posts (pages) have been transferred from Wordpress to current site - Blogger/Blogspot.

New Layout and Template of Ocean Echo 1 blog have been better organized. Archive of all posts (pages) and list of YouTube videos are included on main screen (page).

Pictures can be magnified/enlarged if interested. Older pictures (2010 to June 2013) will be still opened via Wordpress. Newer pictures (September 2013 and later) will open via Blogger - Picasa. Pictures at blog - Blogger can be magnified/enlarged by opening them in a new tab or window (right click on the picture and select your choice) at main blog's screen (page) or at Picasa.

YouTube videos are available in 2 options. Top of the "YouTube 10 short videos" field offers opening the videos in SAME browser tab/window and you need to go back to see the main page again. Lower part of the "YouTube 10 short videos" field allows you to open videos in NEW browser tab/window.

Current address for my blog is: http://oceanecho1.blogspot.com/

(The old blog's address - http://oceanecho1.wordpress.com/)

Please, excuse my poor writing skills and grammar. Google translate does good job converting text to other
languages.

I hope, that you will find something interesting in this blog.

Enjoy the blog. Jara (JJ) Holcman s/v Ocean Echo 1

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