Exploring Oceania:  The Islands of Melanesia, Part I, Fiji

Monday & Tuesday, January 22 & 23, 2024

HAL Grand Australia & NZ Cruise

Leaving the Samoan waters of Polynesia, we made our way to the Melanesian waters of Fiji.  We arrived at the port of Suva on the island of Viti Levu expecting stormy weather.  To our delight, the day turned sunny and warm.  The pleasant surprises continued as we exited the ship and found that local shops and vendors were providing free shuttles to the downtown shopping area.  Since Sandy’s goal for the day was exactly that—shopping!!!—we took the first shuttle and went directly to Jack’s Souvenirs.  Followed shortly thereafter by a browse through the large department store, Tappoo City.  According to the credit card postings, Sandy’s shopping day was highly successful!!!

Choosing to return to the ship with the treasures of Fiji, we walked back and admired some of the improvements and changes made since our last visit to this big city with is bustling traffic and crowds of people.

Here are some photos:

As we disembarked, we spotted the tour buses and shuttles ready to take us into the city.
Our first stop was Tappoo City. This is a large department store with everything from clothing to appliances on display. There was even a large souvenir department!!!
Braving the heavy traffic, we moved on to more shopping!!!
Here’s a spot along the canal for some eating and drinking.
But, moving right along…..
…..we continued our shopping!!!
Returning to the ship at the end of the day,…..
…..we watched the clouds come rolling in…..
…..and departed Suva as the rain came!!!

The next day, we arrived in Lautoka.

Lautoka is an industrial city on the opposite side of Viti Levu from Suva.  First sighted in 1789 by Capt. William Bligh of HMS Bounty, the island is divided by a mountain range that splits the land into the wet southeastern section and the dry northwestern side.  Lautoka is in the sugarcane-growing northwestern region and is know as the Sugar City.  The main Lautoka Sugar Mill was founded in1903 and is the city’s biggest employer. 

Our arrival into port was smooth, and we disembarked quickly.  We were off to the city.

Here are some photos:

Once again, we arrived in a commercial port.
This sugar mill was only a short distance from the port. We passed it on our way into the downtown area.
The amount of greenspace around the city was surprising.
The homes looked nice and comfortable.
This pack of dogs, however, did look menacing. We were glad to be on a shuttle and not walking into town!!!
Then, we were downtown. It is a pleasant city.
We walked the city.
We did a little more shopping.
And then headed back to the ship.
We are now on our way to Vanuatu.

We are going to the tiny, uninhabited island of Inyeug in Vanuatu (previously known as the New Hebrides Islands).

See you there, soon!!!

2 thoughts on “Exploring Oceania:  The Islands of Melanesia, Part I, Fiji”

  1. What, no photo of your shopping treasures? How can I ‘vicariously’ shop with you in exotic Fiji if I don’t know what I have gotten? Kathy ;-D

    Like

    Reply

    1. You’re right!! Shopping in new and exotic places is a lot of fun!!! As we approach Australia and New Zealand, that camera will be handy!!!
      Thank you for following!! Keep us posted on the recovery!!! More later.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a reply to k314stans Cancel reply