FIJI

Fiji – we booked a tour called “Tropical Paradise” and I am so glad we did. Originally, I had rented a car and planned to just drive around until I read the State Department advisory that going off on your own in Fiji was not a good idea.

We took a bus to a very posh place called “The Pearl” resort. It was about a 40 minute drive from the ship and was absolutely stunning place. They had a beautiful pool with a swim up bar, great beach, hammocks, swings on the ocean to just sit. It was a beautiful sunny day but very windy. It was too windy to use the ocean as it was fairly rough with white caps. We went into the pool and had a great time.

The drive out was past literal shacks that people use as houses. I think Fiji was even poorer than Jamaica. Most places were either tin or cardboard made into houses. Most didn’t have electric or water and there were outhouses. Then you came to the resort which was ultra luxury so it was a bit depressing in a way.
They served a nice lunch at the resort and then we headed back to the ship. It was Sunday, April 27, 2008 and so no shops were open at the pier except one duty free place. We decided not to even go in but went straight back to the ship. The area around the ship didn’t look very safe.

We were sick of eating so opted for a hamburger in our room and wow did it taste great. Very relaxing day.
Later that night I was reading and Sam said to come out on the balcony. OMG – what a sight – the moon (it is only about ¾ full at this point) was shining on the water and it was so cloudless you could see a zillion stars. The moonlight made a shining path on the water. It was breathtaking.

Tomorrow we have a “do over” of April 27th as we are crossing the International Date Line. Monday we will be in Pago Pago.

Ok, we are off to the pool – its rough but someone has to do it.
Sam and Char