Fiji
-Saving the Best for Last
We
honestly had no idea what to expect in Fiji.
We
had booked an all day tour which would allow us to experience the
native ways and customs as well as take a river tour on narrow wooden
boats (reminded Bob a little of the "bonka" boats he'd
ridden in the Philippines, only bigger.
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As
we pulled into port, sure enough we were greeted with a "war"
canoe being paddled past as the local teams practiced.
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A
surprise gift from the people of Fiji was a brass band! They were
present when we departed as well.
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We
boarded our bus and met Ryan, our guide for the day
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Along
the way, Ryan pointed out the graveyard. So apparently the Polynesian / Bora Bora
custom of burying family in the yard is not followed here
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We
turned off the paved road and drove about 10 miles on a gravel road.
Several bridges we encountered could not safely carry the bus, so
they had graded a turn-out around the bridge
We
knew we had left the city when we had to steer around the cows!
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We
arrived at the village to be greeted by a fierce looking guard and
another "warrior" blowing on a conch shell to alert the
village that visitors had arrived. As he left the bus, Bob was asked
if he would represent his bus as "chief!" Of course he
said yes! (Wonder how they knew Bob had been a Chief in the Navy many years ago?)
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As
we entered the meeting house, we had to remove our shoes. The two
chiefs (one from each bus) sat forward and would be the first two to drink the kava - a
mild narcotic and sleep inducer. Theresa video'd the ceremony so
there aren't many still photos of that part.
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Bob's duties were simple but important. After the kava had been ceremoniously mixed in a large bowl, a warrior delivered a bowl full to Bob and the other Chief. Bob then clapped his hands once, said "Bula" once (to which the villagers replied "Bula" - welcome), chugged the kava (tasted like cool dishwater with a slight flavor of numbness!), clapped three times and it was all over! Whew! This being a Chief is tiring!
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Following
the ceremony, we took a few photos at the door opening on the river
side
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Wildlife
abounds in the area
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This
is the meeting house, without a doubt the largest building in the
village
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Following
the kava ceremony we were given a tour of the village including
watching the women weave the floor mats used in place of rugs and
carpeting in the buildings.
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The
school children sang songs for us
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Afterward,
one of the men from the tour entertained the kids with ballon
animals!
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This
woman was pleased to allow us to photograph her and her children
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Next,
it was time for lunch and a demonstration of native dances. The men
danced as warriors . . .
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. . . while
the women danced more sweetly!
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Then
they opened the floor to whoever wanted to dance and Theresa joined
in - that's her in the center with her back to you in the black Capris and light blue swim suit top.
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Then
it was time for lunch. We had sat on a bench near a window just for
the breeze and figured we'd be at the tail end of the line, when we
heard "Chief Robert, bring all your wives and you shall go
first!" Bob kinda likes this being chief stuff!!
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The
food was all authentic food they would have for a feast. Of course,
we tried a little of everything!
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Then
we got in the boats headed up stream!
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We
figured we had "made out" since we were in the first boat
away . . .
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. . . but as it happens, we had one empty seat and we pulled back in
when most of the others were long gone!
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Our
driver
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The
river is fairly shallow and very pretty - we met other boats from earlier visitors on their way down river
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There
are several rapids and our boat driver lined up very carefully before
entering
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As
we traversed the river, we got an appreciation for just how dense a
jungle can be!
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But
we occasionally encountered a raft - the local means of conveyance
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After a 40 minute boat ride, we
reached a little concrete dock and began our 10 minute walk into the
rain forest to a waterfall
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Where
we swam! While it was a little chilly, it was euphoric! I mean how many people get to swim in a tropical rain forest waterfall in the South Pacific with their lover and best friend!
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On
the way back, we noticed this waterfall in the jungle
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As
we approached the village, we were impressed at how beautiful it is from the river!
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Once
ashore, we headed for our buses and saw this little boy playing with
a toy road grader!
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While
the teens played volleyball
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As
we came back into Suva, the capitol city, we began to see many, many markets along the
way
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Suva
is a pretty city but we were running late and had no time to do a
walkabout
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A nice city park near the waterfront
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Could
not tell if this was an official building or a hotel
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This
boy was busily rearranging the remaining fruit in his bowls in hopes
that they would sell
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Finally,
we saw a number of Fijian police dressed in a festive sarong/skirt - not sure how that would go over among police back home!
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Tomorrow
- back to sea and a summer cold!
