Rugby teams and officials embarked on a challenging 22-hour boat journey to the picturesque Garden Island of Taveuni for the Fiji Bitter Wairiki 7s, showcasing their commitment to the sport. They traveled aboard the MV Lady Daya, operated by inter-island shipping provider Goundar Shipping Limited, the same vessel that facilitated last year’s tournament journey.
Senior media production specialist Sophie Ralulu and I are on-site to provide coverage of this highly anticipated tournament. We boarded the vessel shortly after it set sail from Narain Jetty in Suva at 4 PM on Tuesday, following preparations after unloading passengers and cargo from Kadavu.
This trip holds particular significance for both of us. Sophie returns to Taveuni after a two-year hiatus, having last reported from the island alongside then-North Bureau Chief Serafina Silaitoga during a tour by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. For me, this return marks a homecoming to the very place that marked my launch into journalism during last year’s tournament, now as a senior sports journalist.
The journey saw us stop briefly at Savusavu, where a downpour prompted passengers to seek shelter in the first-class and economy sections. However, as the rain and fog dissipated, the impressive 60-foot cross, commemorating the Catholic Mission’s 100 years on the island and the Holy Cross Parish in Wairiki, came into view.
The vessel docked at Waiyevo Wharf around 2 PM, where the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as passengers disembarked. Over the next three days, we anticipate an exhilarating series of matches, and our team will be dedicated to capturing all the action and unforgettable moments from this vibrant Fiji Bitter Wairiki 7s tournament.
Leave a comment