At Anchor in Bavatu Bay

Bavatu Bay is on the eastern edge of Vanua Balavu and the first place in the Lau where we got to do some on-land exploring. Bavatu is a well protected bay with a tiny wharf and fresh water spring, and a steep stair case winding up the hill to a ranch atop the limestone cliffs. 

We met CT, a man in his 50s managing the ranch for the Australian owners (who also own marinas in Latoka and Savusavu). CT pointed us in the direction of the hike with views of the Bay of Islands where we had just been, and hung out with us on the patio of the owner's home overlooking our anchorage in Bavatu Bay. He told us about his twin daughters in college in Suva, his son working his way up through the ranks of the container ships cruising the Pacific, his wife who worked in Savusavu, and his girlfriend who stayed with him working on the ranch. CT seemed to be living the dream, Fiji style.

A few more photos we took along the way: