CaliNurse

Gorgeous pix, Inquest! Thank you for adding them to then narrative, and for the information on different lodgings and boat trips.
I am astounded by the similarity--the pix look identical-- to the Caribbean, or parts of Hawaii.

Have you been to either of those areas, and if so, scenery-wise, do you find it is similar in Fiji?

Is that you, hidden in the hammock?

inquest

Glad you are enjoying it Cali. Yes.Similar to the Caribbean(the resort islands) in many ways,as in, the gorgeous waters,wonderful properties. Fiji is far less expensive(though there are resorts which can cost an arm and a leg). Felt there was more culture in the ethnic demography of Fiji.Its less developed.
Like the Caribbean ,Fiji too has a large (almost 50%) settlement of Indians,the descendants of immigrants,most of whom who came in as indentured labour to work in the cotton and cane fields in the late 1800's.Similarly ,the 'Indo-Caribbeans' populate Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana,Surinam & Jamica mainly and with them came the hindu temples and culture.So is the case in Mauritius and Seychelles.
I haven't been to Hawaii.
Ha ha no Cali, I'm behind the ..

Loads of photos to upload in the Ugandan Urge thread too.Largely wildlife.
Eventually will be uploading in the Namibia, Its suddenly dawned on me..thread on the Africa & Middle East forum 2015.It'll be a pictorial TR. Will post the link here once complete.

inquest

The dingy which dropped me at the 'Honeymoon Island'

progol

Oh, inquest, this looks and sounds wonderful! I'm sitting in my dingy office in an old building, looking out on an air shaft, with my window giving me a corner view to the sky, which is grey and rainy! So this is a treat to be reading and seeing your photos (instead of doing some work ).

Thanks for sharing this!

annhig

Fab photos and words to go with them, Inquest. I can tell how much you enjoyed your trip - it shines through from everything you wrote. I have to ask though, as an almost newbie single traveller, what is it that made you think of Fiji for a trip like this? To my mind it's not an obvious destination for a solo trip, though you clearly made it work.

inquest

Ann, going solo is a mindset, though I also do travel with friends frequently,I do enjoy time on my own. True the general conception is the Fiji isn't a destination for solo travel I found it otherwise,its fascinating.The idea is to pack a typical day with activities,get involved,meet locals,get to know history of the place,people and their background,culture,cuisine and language.Just go discovering.Trust me its absolute fun.Fiji offered everything.
On many occasions I've found group travel a hindrance, more often than not you have to go with the flow. There is little time to stray.Just take the plunge & watch the fun.
Will be updating this TR. Been busy. Will add more pics.. the beautiful island of Taveuni.

annhig

good points, Inquest. I will be trying to put them into practice in Italy in the next few weeks. I've been away by myself before but never for quite as long as this time. Baby steps!

inquest

Continuing this story....back in the main island of Veti Levu, stayed at 'Aquarius by the Sea'.It was an overnight stop before I had the connecting flight to Taveuni the following afternoon.Moderately decent hotel is in the Nadi Bay area.Its invariable a stop-over for travellers heading out to the islands.

Aquarius by the Sea

inquest

A short drive into Nadi town by taxi,went straight to Tata's,a small restaurant which serves delicious spicy crab curry.I had heard of this place.The main Tata's is a little out of town,the so called 'back road'.This was their branch just off the high streen in Nadi. This small kitchen with a few tables is handled by an Indian lady. Luckily the day's special was spicy crab curry and rice.I was so hungry i ordered the duck curry too.Washed down with a Fiji Gold.
The high street of Nadi is bustling with activity.Craft shops super markets,most run by Indian businessmen.I dropped into Jacks of Fiji ,Tapoo's and Prouds. Picked up a few souvenirs and gifts.Great town to shop and people watch.Its worth a visit but would not recommend staying there.
Back to Aquarius & retired for the day.

inquest

The following afternoon was the flight to Taveuni. I arrived at the domestic airport a short ride from Aquarius.It was just past noon,my flight was at 2.30pm. A little early went straight to the cafeteria.For as little a F$ 6 got a big plate of fish curry and rice.A delicious an leisurely lunch went to the check-in counter which had just opened. A Fijian handed me a boarding pass and told me that I was the only passenger booked on the and would by leaving soon.I was ushered in after the check-in and security.escorted to a DeHavilland twin Otter turboprop. Wow !!



Taveuni Airport
I was the only passenger.Felt like I was flying in a private charter.Welcomed aboard by the 2 pilots and given a safety briefing,took off into the skies. Probably flying at only 10,000 feet,the view from the aircraft was amazing,coral atolls,reefs the multitude of colors. Fantastic..

annhig

Wow - that is great. A "private" plane ride no less. We had one of those once, flying back from the Westerman Islands back to Iceland. There were seats for 4 passengers [us] and the pilot, and the plane took off by going up a steep hill and then seemingly flapping its wings as it fell off the cliff at the end of the slope, at least that's what it felt like. If we reached 1000 ft I'd be surprised. I comforted myself that the pilot probably wanted to live as much as I did. Your flight sounds much nicer and a good deal safer!

inquest

Ann, it did happen a couple of times on return from Taveuni. There was an overcast sky over the main island of Veti Levu and the turbulence caused was a bit unnerving.The aircraft ( a 19 seater) occasionally dipped and it felt as though we were on a roller-coaster.These Fiji Link pilots seem to be very good and experienced,they fly in worse off conditions,as the weather could change in a flash.The landing at Nadi was good though.

annhig

19 seater? gosh, that must have been a scary! Seriously, these pilots have to be very good at their jobs I think flying such small machines around the areas they do.