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Around the World in 106 Days with Ray & Claire!! Part 27 – Fiji. As you can see on the map, we have Noumea on the left, Vanuatu just above it and Fiji to the right. We had a full day at sea to get from Port Vila to Suva.
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Around the World in 106 Days with Ray & Claire!! Part 27 – Fiji
As you can see on the map, we have Noumea on the left, Vanuatu just above it and Fiji to the right. • We had a full day at sea to get from Port Vila to Suva. This area is a part of what is known as the “Pacific Ring of Fire” i.e. the meeting place of the tectonic plates of Australia and the Pacific and it is indeed an area known for a lot of tectonic activity. They often have earthquakes in the region and there are also several underwater volcanoes erupting under the cover of the sea and so not really visible to anyone ....that is, until a new island pops up somewhere!
The majority of Fiji's islands were formed through volcanic activity starting around 150 million years ago. Nowadays, Fiji accounts for more than 330 islands, of which about 110 are populated. The nation has a population of about 850.000 and Suva is just shy of 200.000
Pottery shards found indicate that the area would have been populated about 5000 years ago • Constant warfare and canabalism between warring tribes was quite rampant and very much part of everyday life and theFijians refer to this period as “The time of the Devil” As usual, the first European settlers were often whalers mixed in with the odd -but very tasty – missionary. In 1874 the British claimed the islands as a colony
The archipelago of Fiji gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1970 and officially became a republic on the 28th of September 1987 • But historically, you will not be surprised to hear that James Cook was here too!
Suva has been the capital since 1882, when the colonial administration was moved here from Levuka. Fishing and forestation have always been the two most important means of income but today tourism helps a bit, as does the EU subsidies to the sugar industry here. • Many tourists come over from Australia, New Zealand and USA to swim in the warm waters and scuba dive around the coral reefs.....as do a number of cruise ships (like eight a week on average!) • Fiji is one of the most developed economies in the Pacific island realm as shown on the next slide.
Having successfully navigated our way through the coral reefs and sandbanks... ..and gone round a Chinese Meteorological Survey Ship... (or was it a “Spy Ship” perhaps?!!)
....we were unfortunately beaten tot the best mooring spot by another cruise ship – by 5 minutes!
Although partially masked by the other cruise liner, the end of the port area is usually where the fishing vessels are all moored – either that, or in clusters in the harbour.
We were warned to be very careful of pickpockets whilst we were ashore – but there were many Police Officers around (Raymond asked one of them what he wore under his skirt – and got an unexpected reply!!)
We were not exactly sure what this sign was actually meant to mean, but if the guy is handing out gold, maybe we should have called in?!
The municipal market was an interesting place for a stroll but, similar to other ports of call, we were not allowed to bring back any groceries from our visit ashore – more's the pity • (Although, having said that, the Hotel Manager, apparently, purchased masses of local fruit and vegetables for us to enjoy over the next few days!)
Thurston BotanicalGardens were named after Sir John Bates Thurston who was the fifth governor of Fiji from 1888 -1897. The garden is now maintained by the museum and the grounds are open to the public all year around • Thurston Gardens museum holds a collection of archeologically material, some of which dates back 3700years and cultural objects representing the communities that have settled on the islands over the last 100 years
The clock tower at Thurston Gardens - as well as the bandstand - were both constructed in 1918 in memory of the first Mayor of Suva
Suva’s Sacred Heart Cathedral sits on a little hill very close to the central business district.
Unlike the Tour Coaches, the local busses are equipped with vey cost effective air conditioning – i.e. they had no windows!
We didn't have time for a swim ...but the sea did look extremely inviting!
A few shots to give you an idea of how some of the local houses look – some Fijian and some Indo-Fijian Rotten pictures – but the coach windows were dirty – well that is our excuse!
About half an hour’s drive out of Suva we arrived at the Organic Spice Gardens of Fiji. ..and Claire was given an orchid by a local maiden and....... ......a welcome from a Fijian (1st Row Prop Forward from the Fijian Rugby Team) – in full native costume
The spices and plants grown at the spice farm are not only used for cooking......... ...but they also have plants here that are used as dyes, weaving materials and medicine
We were invited to have a few snacks after our “tiring” journey
The plantation began life as an experimental project under the direction of a New Zealand herbologist.......
.....and has now become a thriving industry involving a network of village out-growers to produce the quantities required by tourists and for export
“Our Hero” amongst the different types of palm trees (except the one that he is standing under is a Mango Tree of course)
No Brendon – yours is an older model and hasn't got a flash drive on it Hey look Ray – we have the same video cameras! “Oh really?! ...but I have an even bigger one on board the Ship!
Goodbye ---and make sure you come again (oh and can we have our beetle back please
..............and a few miles up the road, we arrive at the Cultural Arts Village
Joseph (who turned out to be the “warrior "who took us around the village in the 80’s!!) welcomed us and acted as our guide to the various activities going on. He also invited Claire to sample Cava ( a non alcoholic but very “relaxing”) drink made form bamboo juice and fresh straw)
...Mrs Wembly having a non alcoholic drink? I must film that for posterity!
...and we were also shown some of their traditional native dances
Then we had a demonstration of how to “peal” a coconut – which turned into a race between the two, with 1st prize being the hand of a visiting tourist maiden Scribe’s Note For a complete explanation of the art of peeling a coconut and the use of both the inside and the outside of this nut – see the future Bora Bora Blog
The maidens were quietly washing their smalls when all of a sudden the village was attacked by another tribe who tried to make off with one of the maidens
The two chieftains then fought a battle for ownership of the village
.....and the loser is the next one for the cooking pot! The winner
