Thursday July 18th – Monday July 22nd, 2019
This past week was an extraodinary treat from my hosts, Isikeli and Litia. We did a full circle drive around the island, traversing Queens Road along the southern half and then returning via Kings Road along the northern shores. Fiji is a collection of many, many islands and islets — roughly 300 islands of which over 100 are populated, so there is quite the selection to see.
The largest are Vanua Levu and Viti Levu, with the Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups just to the northwest of Viti Levu. I mention the Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups, because you can spend all or part of a day touring these islands from the many boats leaving out of Port Denarau – truly lovely to see. We spent an entire afternoon on South Sea Island, part of the Mamanuca Island Group. And I would be remiss in not also mentioning Taveuni Island, known not only for its spectacular waterfalls and scenery but also because the dateline passes through it…and, due to climate change effects and rising water levels, it is ‘sinking’.
On one hand, the verdant lands and plentiful fish, fruits, and flowers make Fiji seem like it is offering a nature that is everlasting; on the other, it provides the most stark reminder of our need to take better care of her.

Scenes of Fiji
We had many adventures in just these few days on Viti Levu island in Fiji, including a driving tour to see the Sleeping Giant and the Sabeto healing mudbaths, shopping and dining at Port Denarau, a day at South Sea island, dinner and music at the Warwick hotel, a walking tour of downtown Suva, and most special was a day with family and friends on the Bau Island. The craft and skill of the people here is such that a most beautiful dress was handmade for me (without having met me, no fittings at all!), which I wore on the occasion of visiting Bau Island, the home of Ratu Seru Cakobau, First Chief of Fiji.
The Sleeping Giant Cleansing pool at the Sabeto Mudbaths A typical village Lynn, Litia, and Kesa Swimming at the Anchorage Hotel in Lautoka Coconuts above…! Train transporting sugar cane… … as it passes through the hotel grounds View from Lautoka Heading to
South Sea IslandPort Denarau Litia and Isikeli Transferring from ferry to South Sea Island South Sea Island Ferry at anchor off
South Sea IslandShopping and dining at Port Denarau Port Denarau Port Denarau Sundresses here are long and wonderfully cool Bula means Hello Leaving Port Denarau Sera and Soni Lunch at Shanghai House in Suva City With Isikeli’s family Presidential Residence in Suva Grand Pacific Hotel Ministry of Economy Grounds of the Presidential Residence Reserve Bank of Fiji With Soni, Sera,
Litia, Isikeli
Bau Island
Home of the First Chief of Fiji, Ratu Seru Cakobau, who ceded Fiji to Queen Victoria on March 21st, 1874.
Taking the boat to Bau … with Isikeli and
his familyBau Island Fishing net made of mangrove root, designed and made by Joe’s dad Residence of the former
President of FijiLali – instrument used for calling the community to Sunday worship service Feeling honored to sign the guest book.. … also signed by QE II & Prince Philip Last remaining pagan church on Bau 200 year old tree Awesome nature Beautifully prepared meal with family and friends Fish prepared with coconut milk and lemon Litia, Mary, Bu La, Fusi Leaving Bau Island Handmade clothing Thank you for your hospitality!
Saying our goodbyes
until next timeOn to the next adventure!
Additional photos can be found in the Journals menu — see the blog post on Fiji