February 2023
Chuck 's Reviews
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me of Robinson Crusoe. If you walk down to the point, you'll come across an old native fish trap that's made from volcanic rock. Be sure to check it out. It's a great photo opportunity.
LEVUKA School was just getting out when we arrived on the island. A group of primary school children happily posed for a candid photograph in the Marist Convent schoolyard. Their expressions and the resulting image were both extraordinary. These children radiated love and happiness. The Fijians love life! One of my shipmates had once lived on the island. His father was headmaster of the Delana Methodist School. He hadn't been back on island in over fifty years. I snapped his portrait in front of the schoolhouse when he mentioned its relevance. It was a unique moment in someone's life for me to be a part of. The Holy Redeemer Church is located at the center of town. As you enter, the natural light shining through the stained glass beautifully illuminates the nave. Just up the road from here is the public primary school. The children came out from their classroom and sang songs for us. Fijians are musical people and throughout the trip, I was constantly reminded how music influences this culture. We all met back at the ship at 4:30pm and prepared for a dinner while cruising overnight to the island of Taveuni.
THE PERFECT STORM It started turning bad just before we all hunkered down for bed. Suddenly, I awoke to a thunderous slam as a 20-foot wave slammed into the bow. The ship was rolling from side to side. I looked out the stern of the Salon Deck and just couldn't believe how big the waves were. The Dramamine I had taken was working like a charm and I actually went to sleep for the rest of our tumultuous journey to Taveuni. NOTE: November is the beginning of summer and the rainy season in Fiji. The winds can pick up and travel aboard any vessel can subject you to motion sickness. It's a good idea to get prescription-strength Dramamine before your trip, which comes in tablet or patch doses.
TAVEUNI The famous 180th meridian also passes right though Taveuni. We boarded an old school bus, which took us to the town's football field where the landmark is located. You can actually stand with one foot in today, the other in tomorrow. The highlight of the visit to this island was the 45-minute bus ride to Tavoro National Park and Bouma Falls. The ride takes you though terrain that overlooks the South Pacific and the rainforest. From the Visitor's Center, it's a 10-minute hike to the falls. Bring your bathing suit because you'll want to take a dip in the plunge pool at the base of the 100' waterfall. We finally arrived at Kioa Island, which is home to 300 Polynesians. Big Joe is calling us from our cabins: "They're coming to greet us in the canoes. Get up! Everyone, get up!" Scurrying from my cabin, my first glimpse of the villagers was amazing. It was if I'd been transported back in time, to an age gone by. Bring your video and/or digital camera to the festival that the town puts on for the passengers. You'll sit on woven boat mats and see native dance and music that will truly move you. The village .... |
