We returned to Mana a second time when mom was with us (read about the first time here). We enjoyed walks on the beach and even a lunch out at the restaurant. The restaurant was nothing special, but it was right on the beach, so obviously had a great view (no better than the view from Exodus though, I might add.) As we were eating one of the groups of tourists from the backpacker resort were gathering for their ride back to the mainland, and they were serenaded with some Fijian singing, so that was something to be enjoyed. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the people who were ending their vacations and heading back to work or wherever.
Nautilus was with us this second time in Mana, and one afternoon Tim, Hans, and Brenden went out spearfishing, but they weren’t having any luck finding any fish, but Brenden was determined to get a fish for Grandma, and he didn’t want to come back empty handed, so he shot a little fish for her. I don’t remember if we ate it or not.
Brenden couldn’t home empty handed, he just needed to bring Grandma a fish
The boys with their Grandma at Mana
Enjoying lunch at Mana
It was here at Mana where we said the first of a string of very painful good-byes to our fleet of kid boats we had been so fortunate to cruise Fiji with. Nautilus left us to head west to Vanuatu, The Solomons, and eventually Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. We tried and tried to convince them to come with us to Marshalls. Even after they left, and they were in Vanatu Tim was still sending them emails trying to convince them. But their path was to be different than ours, although I know we will visit them again someday; maybe they will come see us in California or maybe we will go see them in Belgium (spoiler alert: they will come to California).
After Nautilus left us, we had that empty feeling that we would be alone again for some time. But that very afternoon we were reunited with two of our other long-lost friends… Novae and Et Voila, both of whom we hadn’t seen since Savusavu.
So sad saying good-bye to this dear family, our friends on Nautilus
Cat corner at Mana: Novae, Et Voila, and Exodus
Gresham Family Exodus 