South Pacific Trip, May 2019

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(1) FIJI Photo Gallery

A seaward view of the pool and leisure areas of the 'Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa' at Denarau Island, a resort complex near Lautoka, Fiji. I arrived there early on Monday 6 May, tired and jetlagged after 22 hours in the air travelling through 12 time zones. I spent most of the day in bed at the hotel.

On Tuesday 7 May we had most of the day to make use of before boarding the ship at Lautoka port at 4 pm.
We had a bus tour of the area, starting with a lunch stop and then a visit to the Hindu temple at Lautoka.
Like many Hindu temples, it was architecturally interesting, painted in many bright colours and well maintained.

We stopped at the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, started up in 1977 by late actor Raymond Burr.
It is a horticultural paradise, with hundereds of species of plants including orchids and many tropical trees.
Here is the pond, just left of centre is a group of toads sitting on a rock. After the walk along the path we we treated to a nice fruity drink at the seating area.

A hibiscus flower, one of the common flower species I remember well from the Solomon Islands.

Our minibuses took a trip up a steep and bumpy dirt road up to a hilltop resort establishment which had panoramic views over the west and north coast of Viti Levu island. Here I stand precariously at the top of the slope.

Our final stop off on the minibus tour was to a model village which is believed to be one of the oldest in Fiji.
It is thought that African people from Tanzania arrived here a couple of centuries ago.

The ship 'MS Island Sky' moored at Lautoka port. At 4pm we boarded, our baggage having been delivered to our room.

Wow, this is luxury! My first view of my cabin, looking towards the outer window, which is at a level where the hull becomes the superstructure.

The view of my cabin looking inward towards the centre of the deck. There was plenty of storage space, a settee and toilet suite with shower.
My cabin attendant was called Jaina, who kept my room tidy and clean throughout my stay.

Soon after boarding we all had to take part in a Safety and Lifeboat Drill, donning life jackets and assembling at the lifeboat muster stations.

Some of the Fillipino crew members, including in the centre of the group, Jaina, my cabin attendant.

The captain, Jose Fonseca, First Officer and Navigator on the bridge preparing for departure.

The dawn is captured by one of the photographers amongst the expeditionary staff.
Our ship is heading towards the Yasawa island group, a chain of about 20 volcanic islands which stretch for about 130 miles in a line running northeast to southwest to the west of Fiji's main island, Viti Levu.

A zodiac does a recce of the coastal areas to determine the best site for snorkelling and swimming.

Another view of Sawa-I-Lau Island from a boat.

The shore party arrives on the beach from where morning swimming or snorkelling activities will be based.

The beach with zodiacs, I think this is the main Yasawa Island at the north end of the archipelago.

Another zodiac approaches the beach.

Handicrafts and souvenirs on sale near the landing area.
After swimming I went into the village to a communal building where the traditional kava drink was being prepared by the male village leaders.
I took part for the first time and had a coconut shell of the brown stuff. It wasn't up to a swig of Pilsner Urquell, I imagine it could have been more potent if it wasn't being prepared for a group of tourists!

The village we'd landed at was quite neat and tidy, I didn't have time to explore it as I was messing about on the shoreline trying to get my change back from a handicrafts seller.

More guests return with their snorkelling gear.

The second ride of the day was to the nearby island where a fresh water pool in a cave was the next swimming opportunity.

Passing the rocky limestone shore.

I think this another view from near the island which had the cave and pool.

Here is a shot of several of us swimming in the deep pool in the cave on Sawa-I-Lau.

Around noon the day's adventure had to be curtailed as the wind was getting up, in this image we are heading back in a zodiac to the ship.

Heading back to the comfort and luxury of the ship, which was due to sail for Vanuatu as we were having lunch.
This is a group photo of the entire expedition crew (zodiac drivers) dressed in suitable Fijian style evening wear as we sailed west towards Vanuatu.

On Thursday May 9th we were sailing all day across the ocean towards Vanuatu.
The original itinerary had Tanna Island as the destination, with a possible ascent of an active volcano there; however, a tragedy was unfolding during the night when one of the crew sadly died after a possible stroke.
The man's body (he was only 42) was repatriated when the ship berthed at Port Vila the following day. It was a sad event for everyone, especially his fellow crew members and, of course, for his family back in the Phillipines."

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A seaward view of the pool and leisure areas of the 'Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa' at Denarau Island, a resort complex near Lautoka, Fiji. I arrived there early on Monday 6 May, tired and jetlagged after 22 hours in the air travelling through 12 time zones. I spent most of the day in bed at the hotel.
On Tuesday 7 May we had most of the day to make use of before boarding the ship at Lautoka port at 4 pm. We had a bus tour of the area, starting with a lunch stop and then a visit to the Hindu temple at Lautoka. Like many Hindu temples, it was architecturally interesting, painted in many bright colours and well maintained.
We stopped at the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, started up in 1977 by late actor Raymond Burr. It is a horticultural paradise, with hundereds of species of plants including orchids and many tropical trees. Here is the pond, just left of centre is a group of toads sitting on a rock. After the walk along the path we we treated to a nice fruity drink at the seating area.
A hibiscus flower, one of the common flower species I remember well from the Solomon Islands.
Our minibuses took a trip up a steep and bumpy dirt road up to a hilltop resort establishment which had panoramic views over the west and north coast of Viti Levu island. Here I stand precariously at the top of the slope.
Our final stop off on the minibus tour was to a model village which is believed to be one of the oldest in Fiji. It is thought that African people from Tanzania arrived here a couple of centuries ago.
The ship 'MS Island Sky' moored at Lautoka port. At 4pm we boarded, our baggage having been delivered to our room.
Wow, this is luxury! My first view of my cabin, looking towards the outer window, which is at a level where the hull becomes the superstructure.
The view of my cabin looking inward towards the centre of the deck. There was plenty of storage space, a settee and toilet suite with shower. My cabin attendant was called Jaina, who kept my room tidy and clean throughout my stay.
Soon after boarding we all had to take part in a Safety and Lifeboat Drill, donning life jackets and assembling at the lifeboat muster stations.
Some of the Fillipino crew members, including in the centre of the group, Jaina, my cabin attendant.
The captain, Jose Fonseca, First Officer and Navigator on the bridge preparing for departure.
The dawn is captured by one of the photographers amongst the expeditionary staff. Our ship is heading towards the Yasawa island group, a chain of about 20 volcanic islands which stretch for about 130 miles in a line running northeast to southwest to the west of Fiji's main island, Viti Levu.
A zodiac does a recce of the coastal areas to determine the best site for snorkelling and swimming.
Another view of Sawa-I-Lau Island from a boat.
The shore party arrives on the beach from where morning swimming or snorkelling activities will be based.
The beach with zodiacs, I think this is the main Yasawa Island at the north end of the archipelago.
Another zodiac approaches the beach.
Handicrafts and souvenirs on sale near the landing area.
After swimming I went into the village to a communal building where the traditional kava drink was being prepared by the male village leaders. I took part for the first time and had a coconut shell of the brown stuff. It wasn't up to a swig of Pilsner Urquell, I imagine it could have been more potent if it wasn't being prepared for a group of tourists!
The village we'd landed at was quite neat and tidy, I didn't have time to explore it as I was messing about on the shoreline trying to get my change back from a handicrafts seller.
More guests return with their snorkelling gear.
The second ride of the day was to the nearby island where a fresh water pool in a cave was the next swimming opportunity.
Passing the rocky limestone shore.
I think this another view from near the island which had the cave and pool.
Here is a shot of several of us swimming in the deep pool in the cave on Sawa-I-Lau.
Around noon the day's adventure had to be curtailed as the wind was getting up, in this image we are heading back in a zodiac to the ship.
Heading back to the comfort and luxury of the ship, which was due to sail for Vanuatu as we were having lunch.
This is a group photo of the entire expedition crew (zodiac drivers) dressed in suitable Fijian style evening wear as we sailed west towards Vanuatu.
On Thursday May 9th we were sailing all day across the ocean towards Vanuatu. The original itinerary had Tanna Island as the destination, with a possible ascent of an active volcano there; however, a tragedy was unfolding during the night when one of the crew sadly died after a possible stroke. The man's body (he was only 42) was repatriated when the ship berthed at Port Vila the following day. It was a sad event for everyone, especially his fellow crew members and, of course, for his family back in the Phillipines."