The rain continues to follow me. It was lashing down on arrival in Fiji and for the rest of yesterday evening. So exploring had to wait until today when, although not sunny, at least it hasn’t chucked it down – yet!
One of the things I have got into the habit of doing is a bit of Trip Advisor and Google research on the next country I will visit. So, I had already been prewarned that, in Fiji, the internet is generally poor and universally expensive. For example, the charge for in room wireless internet in my hotel is app £15 per day! Courtesy of my research, though, I also learnt that the clever thing to do is to visit the Vodafone shop at the airport on arrival and buy a mobile wifi thingy which I did. This clever little device, when charged, connects my phone, iPad and laptop to the internet, presumably using the Vodafone phone signal or something like that, without using the hotel’s expensive system. All clever stuff. Not cheap but about half the price I would have paid the hotel for daily internet.
I am staying in Fiji’s second largest city, Lautoka. I have absolutely no recollection as to why I chose this location as it’s hardly a tourist destination. I think I’m probably the only foreigner staying at my hotel and have only seen one or two on the streets. And as to the city (a slight overstatement when it comes to a head count), it’s very reminiscent of some of the underdeveloped towns I have seen in the Caribbean. Interesting but basic! Nevertheless, the desire to shop – especially at Christmas time – is the same all over the world.
although tastes definitely differ from country to country
and no more evident than in the food shops.
At first I thought the locals were saying ‘Ola’ to me which sounded a bit odd but it turned out to be ‘Bula’ which, I am told, is Fiji’s universal greeting. Almost everyone you pass smiles and says ‘Bula’ to you so I have been happily ‘Bula-ing’ back. If the stories about cannibalism in early Fiji are true then I really do hope ‘Bula’ means hello and not ‘you look tasty’!
Lautoka’s indoor market is big and fabulous.
The aroma of all manner of spices fills the air (which makes a very pleasant change from the sulphur fumes of Rotorua)
but there’s all kinds of vegetables and fruit here as well,
some of which I had never seen before.
This is ‘Kava’ (spelt with a ‘K’ not a ‘C’!), a root which when crushed is mixed with water to make a drink that is offered at special celebrations. Non alcoholic, unfortunately.
Although there are few, if any, higher end outlets here, there are certainly some lower end ones!
and I wouldn’t think the rental cost for some of the property is very high either.
I don’t think Lautoka has much more to offer the intrepid Phileas other than what I have seen today although it’s just possible, of course, that the place may come alive at night.
Assuming not then I may have to explore further afield or, perhaps, chill by the pool, assuming,of course, it’s not raining.
Phileas today but maybe Richard tomorrow.
thelasthurrahsite 