It's always different
26 August 2008 | Nadi, Fiji
Surprise
We are still in Vuda Point Marina, enjoying the amenities (shore power, hot water showers ashore, laundromat, tap water and refrigeration means that we don't have to run the diesel twice a day) and most particularly having a good time with our friends on Magnum. Kara will dive unceasingly for coins Steve tosses in the pool. Days are filled with boat projects (oil service and a new water pump for the diesel), hanging out at the pool, and evenings with sundowners/pizza at the Yacht Club. Magnum leaves today for Vanuatu, and we depart for a few days of land touring. We'll drive along the south coast of Viti Levu and spend a few days in Suva, the largest city. Viti Levu is the largest island of the Fiji group, and reminiscent of Hawaii is some ways. High mountain interior with a coastal plain where sugar cane and other crops are grown. Nadi, where the international airport is located, is on the dry western side, and Suva on the wet eastern side. Lautoka, the other nearby town, is a truly "local" town, complete with the old plantation housing and sugar mill, lumber mill and wharf. Nadi is more of a tourist town, though the cane train trundles right through town. The photo is of a cane train engine crossing the main street--no signals, just tooting madly as the motorists shoot across in front of it. Reminds me of the wig wags in Point Richmond.