As we had to travel almost half of the island today, we had an early start from Uprising Beach Resort, after savouring their complimentary continental breakfast.
Driving along the coast, we head into Suva, the capital of Fiji, also the South Pacific’s largest city. And this was also where we saw the very first traffic lights (other than the sole pedestrian crossing traffic lights in Nadi town, we haven’t really seen a single traffic light for the past few days).
Here, we were given a quick city tour of Suva. Among the interesting places that were pointed to us included the main bus terminal (that was full of buses without windows) …
… Suva City Library …
… Suva Town Hall …
… IT services building …
… Court House …
… Albert Park, which was the landing site of Australian aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith during the first trans-Pacific flight from the United States to Australia in 1928 …
… Grand Pacific Hotel, the first ever hotel in Fiji, which hosted Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Queen Elisabeth II's stay …
… Great Council of Chief’s building …
… and Suva waterfront, with Joske’s Thumb and Pacific Harbour in the background.
As we exit the city, we also passed by the Parliament House …
… University of the South Pacific …
… and TFL National Stadium (did you notice that the “d”?).
Continuing northwards, we travelled along the Kings Highway, also known as the Banana Highway, a major transportation route for the locals to bring their bananas to the market.
Along this highway was also where we got our free massage on-board, due to the narrow and unsealed road conditions.
After passing by several road side stalls along our 72km ride, we arrived at Wailotua Village, the site of Fiji’s first parliamentary sitting.
In addition to the full and proper traditional sevu-sevu ceremony, …
… we were supposed to be bilibili rafting down the Wainibuka River. However, due to the rain and safety concerns, we gave it a miss. So, the girls had their retail therapy …
… before we move further north towards the province of Ra.
During the long drive, everyone made full use of their first class seating.
We soon arrived in Rakiraki for the little touch of paradise, …
… known as Volivoli Beach Resort.
Here, we checked into the Lodge, equipped with a communal kitchen and bathroom.
And since it was our last night together, all of us met up at The Restaurant …
… for dinner, where we ordered the Volivoli Burger and Chips …
… and Chilly and Garlic Chips …
… before ending the night with an early birthday celebration for our guide, Jerry.
Happy Birthday, Jerry!!
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