Graceful Welcome For Uto Ni Yalo In Macuata
Crew leader Reverend Bhagwan says they are finalising all trips for the year.
The chiefly village of Naduri, Macuata, were in high spirits on Friday as they waited patiently for the Uto Ni Yalo to grace their shore for the first time. Children took to the shore hoping to catch a closer glimpse of the double-hulled vessel – a vessel they had only seen on television.
It was a long wait though but eventually the Uto Ni Yalo anchored off shore at about 10pm. By this time the village elders were sitting around the tanoa (kava bowl) in the village hall waiting to perform a traditional welcome ceremony. There were 14 crew members led by Reverend James Bhagwan. The Tui Macuata, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, said they were blessed to have the vessel and its crew as guests.
“It is a great privilege to have this opportunity,” Ratu Wiliame said. “The excitement was really to another level because they (villagers) only see it on television, Youtube videos and other media. We don’t know when will be the next time the Uto Ni Yalo will grace our shore again.”
Reverend Bhagwan said their trip to Naduri Village was the first to the area.
“The trip was good and it was a lot calmer than my other experiences. The crew worked as a team and we have some first time sailors for the Uto Ni Yalo,” Reverend Bhagwan said.
“The only issue that we faced was arriving on time as we follow the wind. This is our first trip for 2018. We will have a return voyage to Yasayasa Moala, some areas in Lomaiviti and in May we will be going to Rotuma. We are finalising all our trips for this year and we are open to requests.”
The Uto Ni Yalo and its crew will visit Kia Island today.