Having reluctantly sold a fibreglass injection moulding patent for five million dollars, and been enticed into early retirement, Jay Johnson reclined in his deck chair and became immersed in his third book of the cruise. An elderly gentleman, occuping an adjoining deck chair had the temerity to interrupt him.
"I bet you don't know what my son does for a living," the elderly gent said for openers.
Johnson raised an eyebrow, but before he could get back into his book the persistent one spoke again.
"He's the world's largest broker of islands." He handed Johnson the son's business card.
Johnson breathed a sigh of relief. Now here was something worthwhile pursuing, he thought.
"Tell me more."
By the time the ship docked, Mr. Hunter Sr. and Mr. Johnson had become almost bosom buddies. Johnson vowed though that he'd never take another cruise. He had never been so idle in his whole life. He phoned Bob Hunter in Seattle and made plans to meet him in Fiji. Johnson ended up buying Kaibu Island (kaimbu), a wonderfully remote 880 acre slice of paradise surounded by a 14 mile reef in the Lau Group of eastern Fiji.
Kaimbu Island with Yacata Island in the background
However, this story is not about how Jay Johnson set off on a second career adventure developing one of the world's most exclusive and tantalizing hideaways, nor is it about islands per se. It's about cruising.
I don't know about you, but most cruises are too sedentary for my liking. If you are similarly inclined,and regard the rigors of shuffleboard as an oxymoron, I have just the thing for you.
Tui Tai Cruises in Fiji are found under Adventure Cruises. Tui Tai means a chief from another place. Once aboard, you will be as welcome and honoured as visiting chiefs were in the days before Queen Victoria agreed to protect Fiji from reckless adventurers,the flotsam and jetsam of the Pacific, who had washed up on her shores.
The Tui Tai is a magnificent 140-foot sailing schooner based in Savusavu, Fiji. The ship is equipped with Perception kayaks, Kona mountain bikes, quality snorkel gear and air-conditioned accommodation for 25 guests. Sixteen Fijian officers, sailors, guides and hospitality staff ensure your safety and enjoyment(Tui Tai).
Savusavu is home port to the Tui Tai. From Nadi International Airport there are three modes of travel. You can fly non-stop from Nadi to Savusavu on Sunflower Airlines or from Suva to Savusavu. I choose Sunflower over Air Fiji because of the equipment they use. Sunflower flies slower, unpressurized aircraft, such as the turbo Otter, at modest altitude, and for this reason they have become the choice of diving afficionados. Catch a morning Sunflower flight in Nadi or Suva and you can be diving in Savusavu waters that afternoon.
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Larry Low's South Pacific Islands topic, please visit the Discussions page.