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AFS Fiji & Australia
2008
 We
just returned from a dual country adventure that blended a perfect
vacation experience. It began in Fiji when we checked into the deluxe
new Radisson Resort, a pampering paradise perched on ocean’s edge.
Fiji’s archipelago includes 330 islands lying in splendid isolation in
the South Pacific. Tourists flock here for the tranquility as well as
world class diving. With a population of 800,000 in this country, 51%
are native. The rest are a fruit salad of Indians and Asians. Most
live below the poverty line. On our city tour we had a great guide
named Sai. He had also led Tom Hanks and crew when “Castaway” was
filmed here. We visited Raymond Burr’s Orchid Farm and a local village
where the Indo-Fijians greeted us warmly. Unlike other people, they
love o have their photo taken. Another day we set sail by tall ship
schooner to tropical Tivua Island where we snorkeled the coral reefs.
Aside from men wearing skirts, the most distinctive
feature of Fiji for me was the singing. Everyone here sings whether
they can carry a tune or not. Wherever we went, melodic harmonies
surrounded us. They sang on our cruises without a breath between
songs. At our resort, they sang as we dined. One night I was awakened
by sound and stepped out on to my balcony. Below were 3 men singing
acapella at midnight. On Sunday I inquired about attending church
service in Nadi town. The concierge said, “It’s wonderful Suzy. They
will sing for 2 hours before the sermon begins.” I will miss the
natural beauty here, the Fijian smiles and music. After 4 days, we
headed to the land of Oz down under to tour two of Australia’s most
vibrant cities, Melbourne and Sydney.
It was wintertime when we arrived in Melbourne, yet
the weather was perfect for exploration in this easy to navigate city.
People don’t hibernate in this capital of Victoria. This is Australia’s
sports capital and shopping mecca. It’s also called the Great Wine
Capital with 400 wineries, more than any other state.
We had a guided city your of cultured Melbourne
with its exquisite Victorian architecture and street cars. The new
developments of the Docklands and Crown Casino along the Yarra River are
spectacular. In competition to Sydney, the skyline has transformed
itself with ultra-modern design. We also visited Phillip Island,
Victoria’s wildlife refuge with a stop enroute at Wildlife Wonderland to
pet the baby wombats and feed kangaroos. The highlight was the Penguin
Parade where we watched the daily march of fairy penguins coming in from
the ocean. With precision timing at 6:40pm, they waddle up to burrows
in the sand dunes. From the eco-boardwalks we were surrounded by an
orchestra of baying tones as they mated and nested. The most
distinctive feature for me in Melbourne was the ultra-friendly people in
a laid back city center.
Our final days were spent in hedonistic Sydney with
its glorious harbor. Here’s Australia’s largest and oldest city founded
in 1788 when England dropped off their convicts. After many previous
visits here, we had the best city guide ever named Greg, who flamed with
enthusiasm. His humor provided us an intimate view of this city of 4
million. After a Captain Hook harbor cruise and viewing the famous
sites, we independently scattered to mix with the locals. On departure,
our suitcases swelled with boomerangs, licorice, outback hats, opals,
Fijian pearls and coconut soaps. It was a long haul home on Air
Pacific, but well worth it on a journey well done.
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