Despite this, everyone was up early, raring to go, except those with tummy upsets – last count 4 people. So it was breakfast of fresh fruit, cereals and scrambled eggs. The guys have perfected the art of rolling and eating pancakes to the point where the fluidity achieved with one hand has to be seen to be believed.
Coaches left at 9:38, near the Fiji dot rather than on it. We pick up some of Kina’s family on the way and chug along the coast. The national speed limit is 80km and while this is slow when wanting to cover distances. With Vita Levu (the island we are on) at 150Km by 100Km this it is more than quick enough for the quality of the roads. Some of them are as bad as Warringah Road in places.
We stopped opposite a school bus and were surprised by how many people were in it. Then we remembered the signs in our bus allowing 90 school kids on the one bus – no seat belts. Spot the tourist.
We stop after an hour at Port Denarau which is very westernised. The luxury apartments back on to a golf course and the harbour has a Hard Rock café on the board walk. This all exists to service to island cruises and luxury holiday industry which is booming in Fiji at the moment. Two of thr boyus zero in on two obvious tourist girls at the dock. Geoff goes up to talk to the boys who tell him in no uncertain terms to go away “your cramping our style.” As he leaves he calls back “Bus leaves in 5 mins son..” If looks could kill. One of the other guys grabs a tame parent and uses him as an excuse to walk by them – horses for courses I guess.
What did you think of that place “Great !!! Tim Tams and Totty.”
Back on the road and we pass truck after truck loaded up with sugar cane, all going the same way we are.
The next stop is Lautoka, sugar capital of Fiji, hence all the sugar cane being carried, burnt and harvested. Some of the guys have not smelt burning sugar cane before – “smelt like Ben this morning.” Harsh but fair. Lautoka is also a shopping centre with a fantstic market. The mothers are buying up all the fabrics while the boys are buying presents for MUM (I was told to put that in), clothes and DVDs if dubious quality.
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Like Sigatoka there is a strong Indian influence in the shops and there are temples too. This one really is in Fiji.
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As we are leaving Lautoka a school bus (2.5m wide) and sugar cane truck (2m wide plus 2m of cane) decide to play chicken on a bridge (6m wide). Do the math and the outcome was inevitable.
30 minutes later the police arrived (in the Mitsubishi) and after a further 30 minutes the accident is cleared. CSI arrived with a piece of rope used to measure the width of the bridge and then the vehicles. They did the math too and came up with 6.5m trying to get across a 6m bridge. The cutting edge of rocket science at its best. One the way back to the resort we take a detour and drop of a bag of rugby shirts to a mission that saves disadvantaged kids.
I have to include a picture of Kina Junior. He is 6’6”, weighs in at 130Kg and plays flanker or No 8. He is fit as and is the biggest man I have ever seen who can play rugby. He has played for Fiji too (over 30s). He made Mark Ronald look like a centre.
Sunset was awesome for those snapping camera buffs amongst us.
The evening meal was fantastic with curried fish, beef chicken and the traditional spinach & tuna dish. All provided of course with Stir Fry and ice cream for afters.
We were treated to some traditional singing and dancing from a local village which is like you would hear in a film or travelogue. The men then did a spear dance and were leaping into the audience screaming – really intimidating but funny how far back the people jumped. They all then got us to do the snake dance. Some of the homophobic boys left quickly but were back when they discovered this was actually like a conga.
Fax’s last act of the night was to wish and sing “a happy birthday” to Michael Gullick. In one room a group of guys are lined up like monkeys watching the 70’s film “Show Girls” purchased today. The content of a 70s M rated film is quite different from what they are used to. Usual end to the night with FB sliding down and the world being put to right.
Night John Boy….