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Posted By:
Hal Brown
Date Posted:
Nov 26, 2010
Description:
A nasty low pressure area blew in and took the sunshine away. With the SeaRey nicely put to bed in its hangar, the flight crew went ashore.
There was a very exclusive resort nearby on Turtle Island. That’s not where we went. We stayed at Fanny and Otto’s place.
The “bures” (grass huts) may not have been elegant, but they were comfortable. With the wind blowing, all that was needed was to open the windows to hear the surf pounding the beach outside. It was good to be onshore rather than the boat.
A side benefit was the nightly social hour with the locals over a bowl of kava. Kava is ground up from a root and mixed in a big bowl of water. The result is a concoction that looks like Mississippi River water. It tastes like that too.
It is an honor to share kava. A group of about twelve Fijians were gathered around the big bowl. A smaller bowl is used to dip a tea glass portion out for each in turn. The cup is greeted by the recipient with a clap and “vinaka” (thank you).
I put on a brave face and forced it down in one gulp. It’s considered bad form to retch after drinking it. I didn’t, and even managed a force smile as I returned the bowl followed by another clap and another “vinaka.”
I hoped it was over, but no, these guys were friendly and generous. The bowl came back around for another wretched gulping. There was a bit less of smile this time.
As this went on I could feel my tongue starting to tingle. Other parts just felt numb. Conversations that were initially animated settled down quickly to periods of extended quiet.
By the third bowl I definitely figured out this stuff was a serious depressant. I excused myself, stumbled to the room, and fell into a deep sleep.
As I later learned, kava is a lot like alcohol in its effects. It is often abused and there is kava counseling in progressive work places. One good thing, as far as I’m concerned, is that no possibility of my becoming addicted to the stuff. Yuk!
Date Taken:
Nov 26, 2010
Place Taken:
Not Turtle Island, Yasawas Group, Fiji
Owner:
Dan Nickens
File Name:
Going_Native.jpg - Photo HTML
Full size - <img src="/show.php?splash=SZPU00000h">
Medium - <img src="/show.php?splash=SZPU00000m">
Thumbnail - <img src="/show.php?splash=SZPU00000s">
Category:
425, Yacht Tending
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