Friday, 10 - Sep - 1993

We landed at 13:15, cleared immigration and congregated in the baggage hall. By this time, Brett had met Julie, so the four of us made our way to the concourse, looking for somewhere to stay. I changed £100 into FJD 240. By the time I rejoin the group, it was arranged that we make our way to the Nadi Bay Motel; subject to confirmation. It is possible that this might now be known as the Nadi Bay Resort Hotel. What was the price for the four of us in a dormitory? FJD 8.00 (£3.33) each, so off we went!

When we arrived, we were actually charged FJD 8.80 (£3.67) for quite a small dormitory, but we had a 'barrel of laughs'. We walked along the (deserted) Wailoaloa Beach (Photo FJ-002) and came across the Travellers Beach Resort (which really was on the beach). We were shown a four-bed room costing FJD 5.50 (£2.29) per person, per night, so we unanimously agreed to move in tomorrow.

Note: Some maps (Google Maps included) have different spellings for this location: Wailoloa (with two 'a's) and Wailoaloa (with three 'a's). For the sake of consistency, I am using the latter spelling.

We had a few beers, then hitched a lift back to the Nadi Beach Motel (approximately 2 Kms). We had a few more beers, as happy hour was from 18h00 to 19h00. For our meal, we had curry and rice, with more beer! We retired at 22:00, only to be 'disturbed' by the sound of what I thought was someone splashing around in water. It actually turned out to be a field of burning sugar cane (Photo FJ-005) across the road from the hotel. It looked, and sounded, quite spectacular. The room lights were eventually switched off at 23:15.

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Saturday, 11 - Sep - 1993

The four of us met for breakfast at 08:45, although I didn't think we would be ready for our 09:30 taxi. As Julie was the first to finish (when the taxi arrived at 09:25), she offered to take the luggage, while Jim, Brett and I finished our breakfast (egg and hash brown (FJD 1.80 (£0.75)) and orange juice (FJD 1.50 (£0.63)). Once we had finished and settled our dues, we took a FJD 5.00 (£2.08) taxi to the Travellers Beach Resort; instead of walking. On our way, Brett asked the driver for a price to Nadi (pronounced Nan-di!); FJD 5.00. After checking into the hotel and sorting out our rooms, beds and luggage, we jumped into the taxi and were taken to Nadi.

About ten minutes later, we arrived in Nadi. Who said Fiji was a third-world country? No way! We had a quick visit to a local supermarket, then walked around the market, where you could buy three coconuts for FJD 1.00 (£0.42). One of the stalls was selling Kava (a local mild narcotic), where we stopped for a little sample tasting. The liquid looked like brown muddy water! I experienced a tingling sensation on my tongue; that was the first and last time I have purposely ingested such a substance. Brett, on the other hand, like it so much, he had three more glasses!

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After visiting the market, we had lunch. I had a Cream Bun because the Fish in Coconut Soup (that the others had) didn't appeal to me. It looked and tasted OK, but I declined. We continued our walking tour of Nadi, then took a taxi back to the hotel. We were on the beach by 15:00, where Brett and I attempted volleyball, but soon tired ourselves from running around. We ended up heading into the sea to cool off.

A few guys that we had met earlier returned to the hotel and it was suggested we have a game of football on the beach. Well, the game never really got going and we eventually lost the ball, until someone spotted it floating in the water. As I was hot, I volunteered to go and retrieve it. That turned out to be an impossible task, because as I swam out to it, I was not getting any closer to it! The ball was drifting away from the beach, due to an off-shore wind. I gave up and returned to the beach, totally knackered! Some years later, I realised I could have needed rescuing!

After recovering, I joined the others to play pool, where I was beaten 5-1. Dinner was roasted spare ribs. I retired at 23:00.

Sunday, 12 - Sep - 1993

Julie was up early as she was off treking for three days. Brett and I went next door to Inner Space Adventures to enquire if we could do any snorkelling today. "The next boat leaves in 10 minutes", so we rushed back and grabbed our bags, paid FJD 25 (£10.42) and ran down the beach to the boat.

The sea was like a mirror, the sun was shining and it was warm. We left for Magic Island (officially known as Namotu Island) at 09:30. As Brett had a Y-connector for his Walkman, I was able to listen to his music while we made our way to the island; which we arrived at 10:40. On our way, I saw a black and white sea snake (Banded Sea Krait), amongst many other types of fish.

So much for going to Beachcomber Island (which had been recommended to me earlier during my journey). Namotu Island must be about the same size, and composed of broken coral and fine sand. Our hostess, Rebecca, took us to the other (western) side of the island. It was beautiful. The only trouble was that the water was shallow; in places, only knee deep. It wasn't easy swimming with fins in that depth of water. However, watching a dog swim from below the surface was amusing. The second time the dog entered the water, Rebecca grabbed its tail for a tow to the beach. We got out and made our way to the eastern side of the island, where the beach was steeper and the water was deeper.

Time for a break and a beer! A BBQ lunch was planned for 13:00, so I went back in the water, for another 20 minutes. At 12:50, I made my way over to our designated table, where we had two sausages, a piece of steak and a piece of fish, with a selection of salad, for FJD 15 (£6.25); which, at the time, seemed a bit expensive, but we were hungry! Brett requested fish only and was initially only given one piece - for FJD 15!

At 14:15, we returned to the water in search of the reef, but we couldn't find it, so we made our way to the part of the beach that we were at before lunch, where we noticed warm pockets of water. Most (if not all) of the other (Japanese) tourists left the island between 14:30 and 15:00. We were told that we could leave at 16:00; but we eventually left at 16:30. By this time, the wind had picked up; so too had the waves. Our return to Wailoaloa Beach was a wet and bumpy ride; arriving back at 17:30; Photo FJ-013.

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After showering off the salty water, it was time for domestic chores in what looked like a sink made from stone.

Brett and I played pool, me winning three times to his one. Then it was over to the Horizon Hotel for dinner: a beer, and chop suey and rice (FJD 7.00 (£2.92)). We returned to our hotel for a short chat by candle light, then I retired at 22:00. There was a German guy in our room, in place of Julie, who was full of jokes and humour.

Monday, 13 - Sep - 1993

I awoke at 07:15 and was ready for breakfast by 07:45, which was toast and pineapple juice. I asked someone from Aqua-Trek about a diving session tomorrow; he was visiting the hotel to pick up five trainees. Yes, he said he would take me tomorrow.

We arrived at Inner Space Adventures at 09:00, ready to go to Nadi. However, we were delayed because the boat to Magic Island was stuck on the beach (Photo FJ-015)! Eventually, a free minibus took us to Nadi, from where we hired a taxi for the 180 kms to Suva. The initial price was FJD 70 (£29.17) but we negotiated a price of FJD 12 (£5.00) each, for the five of us. We left at 10:00 and arrived at 12:45. The taxi driver agreed to wait and take us back to our Nadi hotel; for FJD 10 (£4.17) each.

For lunch, we had fish (wahoo) and rice with vegetables. I then made my way to the General Post Office, where two letters were waiting for me; one from Anne-Marie (the Belgian girl I met in Phuket) and the other from Catherine (the daughter of my landlord in La Hulpe, Belgium). Although I had checked other post offices for poste restante, these two letters were the first.

Our tour of Suva included the Parliament building (Photo FJ-017), beside Albert Park (where Sir Charles Kingston Smith landed his plane en route to Australia, from the U.S.); opposite the (not, at the time, open) Grand Pacific Hotel (Photo FJ-018) - the Fijian equivalent of Singapore's Raffles. I bought a pack of ten postcards and a Fijian T-shirt. On our way back to the taxi, we took a detour into a bar for a Fiji Bitter (FJD 1 (£0.42)). I felt thirsty, so I got another round of drinks, but had a stout (a bit like Mackeson Stout). Brett was a collector of beer labels and wanted a label of my stout. We found a bottle shop opposite, where each of us bought a bottle of stout (FJD 1.10 (£0.46) instead of FJD 1.70 (£0.71) in the bar.

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We finally reached our taxi at 15:35, but we eventually set off at 15:45 after the driver wanted a full car. I didn't notice on our way to Suva, but the taxi's speedometer didn't work; neither did any of the warning lights and fuel gauge! I guess the driver gauges the distance travelled and refuels by instinct, as we pulled into a garage just after leaving Suva. The journey certainly had its moments, especially when overtaking around bends! There was something else that appeared bizarre. As one passenger got out, another got in!

We arrived back at Nadi at 18:15 and the driver stopped at the Beach Motel. We argued with him to take us to our hotel, which he finally did (at 18:30). I called the U.K. to wish my daughter "Happy Birthday" then headed for the bar where I had lamb chop suey; which was very good (or was it because I was hungry?)! After a few more games of pool, we waited in the bar until Brett's taxi to the airport had arrived (23:40). He and I planned to try and meet in Maui (Hawaii). Back at my room, the German wanted to write, but the rest of us wanted the lights out - to go to sleep.

Tuesday, 14 - Sep - 1993

I was up at 06:45 and had omelette on toast for breakfast. I wasn't sure if it was sufficient for the day's activities! The Aqua-Trek pickup truck arrived at 08:00. I jumped into the back and was taken to the office, where I paid FJD 154 (£64.17) for two diving sessions. From there, those of us diving were taken to a boat, which was anchored on the beach near the Sheraton Fiji Resort; what beautiful grounds that hotel had!

We were ferried to a larger boat (the Island Express) and were directed to the sun deck. We left at 09:15 across a calm sea. It was hot and sunny and we finally arrived at our first destination (Malolo Island Resort Fiji) at 10:55. What a beautiful looking island. It was here that we were kitted out with wet suit, fins, mask and snorkel. Suitably loaded with our equipment, we left for Turtle Head at 11:15. Our dive master told us that we will dive for about 40 to 45 minutes before having lunch. Wow! There were so many beautifully coloured fish!

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Lunch on Mana Island, at the Mana Island Resort & Spa, was a BBQ between 12:45 and 13:15, after which, it was back to the boat for a second dive at Mana Island's Sunset Wall. Due to the lack of time, I hadn't worked out my dive times and depths; which was a bit of a problem! Once at the second site, I encountered a brief problem with my primary regulator.

Whilst following the divemaster, I tried to copy the slow, effortless movements of her legs, but I couldn't. She was obviously an experienced diver and knew how to swim under water, without consuming much energy! While swimming around, a turtle gracefully swam past. We got back to the boat at 14:55, by which time, the sky had cloudied over and there was a swell of about 1 metre.

Wednesday, 15 - Sep - 1993

A few of us had arranged to go to Lautoka today, so I was up at 07:45 and down to breakfast at 08:30. We left at 09:10 and took a 30-minute walk to the bus stop on the main road. The bus came along 5 minutes later. The fare to Lautoka was FJD 1.00 (£0.42). After making many stops along the route, we arrived at the bus terminus just before 11:00.

I went into a branch of the Westpac bank, wanting to get about FJD 50. Unfortunately, I was told that the minimum amount that could be exchanged was FJD 100! So, I went outside to the 'hole-in-the-wall' and using plastic, withdrew the required amount; there's always a solution! We all had various 'bits and bobs' to send back to the U.K., so we made our way to the post office.

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Once finished at the Post Office, we made our way to the marina. On the way, I bought a pair of Fiji Bitter shorts for FJD 10.95 (£4.56). Once at the marina, I left Margaret's name with someone, for her possible trip to New Zealand. We had a beer in the club room, then we made our way back to the bus terminus. We left at 15:45 and alighted an hour later, finally arriving back at the Travellers Beach Resort at 17:25. We wanted to see some traditional Fijian/Polynesian music and dancing, but it was a 40-minute taxi ride away. So we decided to stay where we were; I hoped that I might see some in Hawaii.

The five student divers returned at about 19:00, highly elated. "It's all over; we're qualified open water divers"! We had a few more beers, then I retired at 21:45, as the mosquitoes were thirsty that evening!

Thursday, 16 - Sep - 1993

My day of departure had arrived. I was up and ready by 08:15, with my domestic chores started at 08:30. I thought that the sooner the washing is done, the sooner it will dry! It was a bright and very warm day, with a strong on-shore wind, so I decided to take it easy.

I had spent enough time in the sun and went and showered (using the last of the shower gel from the U.K.) before having lunch; a vegi Chow Mein (FJD 4.95 (£2.06)) and a beer. I had to pay in cash, as I had already checked out. Jim suggested a taxi to the airport at 17:00, but we agreed for 17:30 at FJD 4.00 (£1.67) each. I was left with FJD 14 (£5.83); 4 for the taxi and 10 for the departure tax.

At about 16:20, Margaret and Sue returned from Lautoka, where they had met someone called John. He had offered the two of them a few days touring the islands on his yacht! Lucky buggars! They were to depart tomorrow morning. "Please let me know how you get on" I asked. I managed to get everything into my two bags and was ready by 17:15. We said our goodbyes; Margaret reminded me so much of a past girlfriend. We eventually left at 17:50. On the way to the airport, Jim told me that the phone call he received that afternoon was an invite to upgrade to first class. Lucky Jim!

At the airport, Jim invited me into the first class lounge, where we could help ourselves to whatever we wanted! I had a Baileys, followed by a Rum and Bitter Lemon. At 18:45, we made our way to the departure gate, for a 19:20 departure, but I couldn't see that happening, especially as we boarded at 19:10. We finally departed at 19:45. Flight time was 5 hours 50 minutes. We crossed the international date line at about 21:25 and the equator at about 22:15. The on-board film was Made in America.