Fantastic Fiji

Lush, green, warm, fertile, friendly, rugged, pristine, crystal, colourful. A 17 hour stopover in Fiji provided the opportunity to meet some of Fiji's fun loving locals and explore their islands, mountains, coral reefs, and aquatic life. A well spent $165 FJD ($125 AUD) allowed me ten hours on a schooner, which included refreshing sleep downstairs, delicious food (fruits, pastries, seafood, curries, snacks) and drinks all day, snorkeling equipment and the chance to explore two islands and their surrounding reefs.

Uninhabited Honeymoon Island's rocky mass rose steeply out of the calm surrounding sea, with a welcoming beach to one side. Taking the small boat from the anchored schooner, we hit the beach and then snorkeled around the island's reef. I wasn't prepared for the colourful beauty of the schools of friendly tropical fish which were clearly visible through the pure water. Schools of squid hovered in precise alignment, darting garfish followed us curiously, jellyfish floated obliviously. The ocean floor fell away vertically at edge of the reef, with golden sunlight shafts swallowed up by the deep, mysterious blue.

A sharp tidal rise may well have submerged the second island, inhabited by Benjamin the caretaker and his dog. Two minutes would be sufficient to walk around the island's perimeter. A volleyball net, toilet block, traditional straw umbrella like shelters and the caretaker's open residence with meeting hall attached were the only features to compliment the palm trees and shrubs. Benjamin's residence looked deliciously sufficient. Canvas on sand created the floor , on which a mattress and pillow lay. Timber framing supported the thickly thatched straw roof, providing a breezy and blissful sanctuary.

To do this tour, ask for Loma at SunVacations when you get through customs at the airport. The cruise is called "Whale's Tale". The tourist industry is suffering due to reports of the military coup, but I would never have known that one had occurred had it not been for our media. Get over there and give the locals a boost!

As I didn't have a camera, I don't have any photos, however, Jeff Hamstra has taken a beautiful photo of Honeymoon Island. Since it's copyright, you can view it by following this link: http://www.pbase.com/hamstra/image/43872448