Friday - 16 March 2012 - Lautoka, Fiji

Friday  - 16 March 2012 – Lautoka, Fiji

Sunrise at 6:13 am --- expected high temperature is 88 degrees.  I was awake at 5:30 but didn’t get up till 6:45 am – these beds are so comfortable.  Breakfast with our group and we’re off the ship by 9:00 am.  

There is an air conditioned shuttle bus to downtown – we find the municipal market which is huge – selling all manner of colorful produce – a smaller section has crafts and jewelry made by local people.    We wish we could buy spices but are told that Australia does not allow anything organic into the country --- heavy fines exist if detected.  

After leaving the marketplace we wander the streets  – and are stopped by a couple of young reporters for the Fiji Sun.   They are writing an article on tourists to Fiji and want to ask us some questions.  We have our photo taken and are told the article will be in the March 17^th issue of the Fiji Sun..  When asked what we liked most about Fiji – we all answered it is the friendliness of the people.   The greeting in Fiji is “Bula”  --- the response is “Bula Bula”.   Walking down the street people say “Bula” so we respond in kind “Bula Bula”.  I would say the Fiji people are the friendliest we’ve encountered so far on this trip – although we have not come across any unfriendly people at all in this part of the world. 

Here is the website for the Fiji Sun in case you want to take a look: www.fijisun.com.fj.

We, however, very disappointed in the availability of internet cafes in Lautoka.

When we finally find one (after being misdirected twice) – it does not have wifi – and is hot and crowded.   So – Dave and I decide to wait till New Caledonia where we hope to have better luck.  Beth and Lynn stay and check their e-mails.  Dave, Patte and I are back on the ship in time for lunch where we meet up with Phil who went back earlier.

Trivia at 5:00 --- and we come in tied for 1^st place – we are getting better.

Our dinner tonight is in the Polo Grill – it is terrific.  A special is snapper which was caught this afternoon---Beth and Patte decide on that --- I get Maine Lobster – Phil has a steak --  Lynn has lamb chops and Dave has the grilled shrimp scampi.  All of our meals are the best —service is impeccable and we have a wonderful first part of our evening.

It’s off to Brain Teasers --- we are the 1^st place winners – this is our day to be smart.

At 9:30 am – there is a comedian for entertainment  – he’s pretty good – of course the only available seats when we arrived were up front so we couldn’t leave early even it we wanted to.

By now it is 10:30 pm – a record for us to be up this late. –however we turn our clocks back tonight so does that mean it’s only 9:30?

A busy, fun day has come to an end – tomorrow we are at sea.

Thanks for Reading.

Pat