Ringgold Atolls, Cobia Crater, and Rabi Island

Pizza delivery on the beach.
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Cobia island is an extinct volcanic crater, now inhabited only by mountain goats, fruit bats and insects.  Fijians occasionally go to the island for mainly ceremonial purposes, but there has never been a permanent settlement here.  The hike up to the crater summit didn't feel as tough as the previous day's hike.  Perhaps it was my massage that had done the trick.  However, there was no path, and we had to watch our footing to step over roots of trees, and loose dirt that could give way.  The view from the top was worth it.  Getting down was a bit trickier, and I slipped on some algae-covered rock, badly scraping my foot, which still hasn't healed more than two weeks later.  I know, I should have known better, but with a week left in Fiji, and wet landings/transfers from zodiaks/dinghys necessary to see the sights, do the dives, etc. it was impossible to keep my wound as clean as I would have liked.

Enjoying the breeze on the zodiak to the Cobia crater.
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So, I had to curtail my diving on the rest of the trip but I had had such an amazing dive at Kokoda point that morning (we saw at least 4 white-tipped reef sharks, two sea turtles, a banded sea snake, a school of barracudas, all along a beautiful coral wall with lots of colourful smaller fish as well) that I felt satisfied with what I'd managed to do.  But I still enjoyed seakayaking, and socializing with all the new friends I'd made on the boat.  We also had another visit to a village on Rabi island to look forward to, where the school children performed for us, and a final dinner on the beach cooked in a traditional lovo oven, which is created in the sand.