View from a lookout and the Hindu temple

 Fantastic views from this lookout

 Bit glarry without the sunnies :-(

 Made by artisans in India and transported.

 End of the tour. They were a nice bunch of travelling Americans......"you accent sounds NZ"!!!! Really that's a 1st :-)

Lots of colour.

Visiting the local village - Viseisei

 The local village. Wearing a hat is disrespectful.

 The kids are always soooo cute......"Bula bula" - hello

 Having a bath. He wanted to hop out when he knew his photo was being taken :-)

 Each table is run by a different family and all money goes back to the villagers.Liked this idea much better than all the other means of buying Fijian trinkets. Half price as well :-)

 Typical village housing.

 Ceremonial drums for announcing life, death, marriage and any other news.

The Methodist missionaries had a big input in this village.

The missionaries discouraged the practice of cannibalism and this was a ceremonial stone to commemorate the cessation.

Garden of the Sleeping Giant - Raymond Burr

 Raymond Burr - "Perry Mason" spent many years developing this large estate to accomodate his interest in orchids. There are varieties from all over the world. It was a truly spectacular display and these are just a few.

 Don't remember any of the names - I'm sorry

 Our guide

 Very large frogs on the lily pads

Dinner out and evening serenade.

Chris and Charmaine asked me to join them for dinner at the Denarau Wharf. Ended up eating at "Amalfi" - and Italian restaurant. Fabulous food and the Tiramisu - nearly as good as Lipari in Geelong.

Houses can be built and purchased on the Island........if you have a spare million or 10.

Most have a boat to get about

And a few more.

Evening serenade by the pool.

Day trip to South Coast Island - Tues 26th March

This is a pic of the harbor at Denarau Island as we leave for our day trip

Looking back at the headland of the Island

Arriving at South Sea Island. The sea is really this blue

Our catamaran to the island


Submarine viewing. Water still quite murky around the island from the cyclone in December.


Blue starfish just visible on rock


Had a massage then lunch.The food was so fresh.


Cooking the BBQ. You name it was being cooked!


Waiting for lunch. Siesta before and after :-)


It was YUM!


Then were we entertained by traditional singing


Sorry about this one. Cannot rotate it on public computer. Will have to do it when I get home.


Then there was lightning and a torrential downpour whilst were we out snorkeling.
Loved the rain while in the water. Reminded me of when I was a kid.


Met a great couple - Chris and Charmaine from Altona.
Good company and entertaining


Guy from the US....didn't get his name, but nice fellow who had just had some traditional face painting. He really got into the part. So did Chris - without makeup!


Submarine viewer


Heading back to the pickup boat from the island. Tried and true this little movers.
Best day of the holiday. A whole day on the island. Plenty of free drinks and alcohol included. I waited until I had done the snorkeling then had two chardonnays - very nice.Life is good :-)