08/6/16

Speed Bumps and Potholes

While driving in Fiji a person needs to keep their eyes on the road at all times so you can successfully dodge the potholes and brake for the constant speed bumps when you pass through a village. Another obstacle are cows and horses grazing on the edge of the road some are free ranging others tethered. We had our car kicked by a cow as we passed by he didn't like his picture taken. Ted Trevor and I took a road trip . We liked Suva so much we made the 3 1/2 hour car ride. On the way we stopped at Sigatoka Sand Dunes. The rain had finally stopped so we took the 1 hour trail across the dunes which passes along the beach and back through the forest. It was hot so the ocean looked inviting plus it had been a long time since I have been able to swim. I see a sign "no swimming" ! What no way I have to go in! Wading into the water I discovered why it says no swimming I was crashed and tossed and tumble then spit up on the beach by a wave. It was great scraped hip and all I felt happy again. Back in the car we continue passing road side fruit stands passing through the country side and many villages the mountain highway winds up down and around. Pine trees mixed in with palm trees, sugar cane fields. flat lands with grass fields, ocean views, rain forest, rocky terrain and sand dunes Fiji has a broad mix of plant life and landscape. I felt like I was in all parts of the US and the world on this one car ride. We passed Hindu temples colorful and ornate. Christian ministries and churches were scattered from one coast to the next. Homes of all types and colors the purple stood out as it was bright against the green ,expensive resorts along the coast, small huts in the country and moderate homes, wood and concrete through the many villages. We picked up one hitch-hiker, a woman going to work it was Sunday so the bus did not run frequently that is why we saw many more hitch- hikers on Sunday. We arrived Suva and stayed downtown enjoying a city- night ,dinner and a movie. The people working at the hotel were extra nice and friendly making our stay one to remember. Suva a busy industrial city has left such a nice impression on us due to the kindness of her people. We did meet one con-salesman on the street but he was pretty entertaining.
We rose in the morning and it was a holiday so the city was quiet. We found directions to a waterfall and ventured out into the mountains of Suva. Too many wrong turns we never did find the waterfall but had a good tour of the interior. More villages a large river that went inland and a very good view. It was time to head back to Nadi and we drove practically nonstop. One stop at a fruit vendor and one pit stop on the side of the road. I was done by the time we arrived the marina and happy to be home again to Gabriella . The sun shone all weekend and it seems the run of rain may have passed time to head Gabriella back out to an island anchorage. The next morning we head out back to Musket Cove................
Arriving Musket cove and the wind is blowing. We are all happy to be out of the marina . Gabriella save on a mooring and it is time to get back to life. Ted and Trevor head out to the reef in the dingy with the surf boards. I stay behind and rig up my sail and spend the rest of the day windsurfing enjoying the fresh air and being in the water again........