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08/01/2007: "Turtle Lagoon"

We returned to Lomolomo and then the island of Susui on a whim. Catherine had heard of a lagoon locked from the sea with tutles in it. The story goes that in 1964 when Fiji determined it's land boundries between villages officially on the island of Vanuabalavu many turtels were collected for the feast. They were captured many months ahead of the time that they would be needed and stored in a saltwater lagoon trapped amongst limestone cliffs. When it came time for the ceremony they were not readily re-captured and some 30 - 40 remained in the lagoon. 43 years later they are still enjoying life in the lagoon, free from predators and with many hectares of water to roam and explore. We made a small hike over the sharp limestone, battled the ever present golden orb spiders and their webs and sat down and waited. It did not take long to see one, then another. All well over a metre in length and looking very content, they grazed on the grasses and algae on the edges as we sat quiety and enjoyed their home.