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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
............ 
Mar 11, 2020 10:00 PM Date line crossing. Second day at sea - again March 12th
In the night we crossed the dateline. Second Thursday March 12th started.
At 1 pm we got from the captain tragic message: French Polynesia closed all ports for the cruise ships.
We are turning back to Suva - Fiji. Nobody knows what will be later...
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Mar 10, 2020 10:00 PM Suva - last day on Fiji
Imagine - last time I was here some 20 years ago. Nowadays Suva, the capital of Fiji has more high buildings, but preserved also the colonial charm. It is a must to stroll Victoria Parade with High Court and State House visible from the guarded gate. Fancy Grand Pacific Hotel - once ruined now is nicely restored and offers you lunches for 25 FJD - once you spend this money you have allowance of 2 hours wifi connection (I recommend rather to go to local mobile operator and get for 7 FJD SIM card with 7GB for 7 days)
The market is just opposite the port with piles of tapioca, pineapples and bananas. Private operators offer 3 hours tours for just 20 USD at the port gate.
I spent the hot day refreshing memories, meeting people and visiting again interesting Fiji Museum (entry 10 FJD, no discounts) with traditional weapons of brave Fijians...
The band of Fijian police in the white skirts will play for us for goodbye in the port at 4.30 pm. In the evening we will sail to French Polynesia so do not be surprise that during next days there will be no message from me. AHOY!
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Mar 10, 2020 10:00 PM Meeting friendly Fijians
With lady -sergeant from Fiji Police Band...
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Mar 09, 2020 10:00 PM Dravuni Island - South Seas paradise
In the morning we were anchoring some 1 km off the coast of Dravuni Island. Then ship's tenders took us to the shore. The island belong to Fiji. It is a part of Kadavu group (other island of this group are visible around).
I was ashore already at 9 am. We landed at the little jetty on the beach - near the only village where all 140 inhabitants of the island live. They were waiting under the palms offering their products (coconuts 3 USD each), shell neckleces, shirts...
For me it was much more interesting to visit little primary school and then follow the muddy path climbing to the top of the island's highest peak. Not easy climb after night rain. But I managed! The view from the summit was nice, but not breathtaking... Unfortunately the rain came when I was on the top. No shelter there so I returned completely wet.
Bach on the ship I changed clothes and returned to enjoy the motorboat ride around the island (cost - 10 FJD) the lovely beachand the music.
What a lovely place! The beach near the settlement was crowded with 1400 passengers landed today, but on the opposite side of the island there are also nice, empty beaches...
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Mar 08, 2020 10:00 PM By local bus to Sabeto
Cloudy and very humid day. After the heavy sun and heat of yesterday it is a little break. I decided to walk to the Lautoka Bus Stand near the market to take the local bus heading to Nadi - to get to the Sabeto village where they are bringing tourists from the ship on the expensive excursions. First it was necessary to change money to have just a few Fiji Dollars - there are many exchange points and they do not charge the comission. The bus cost me 2 Fiji dollars each way.
Driver left me on the junction of the main road, then I walking asking locals to show me the way.
I turned right at the red roadside shop.
Half km away I found the houses of Sobeto. They have nice methodist church. Wide alley goes from this church to the big meeting house built in the traditional style. In front of that house there are two white monuments with the list of priests working here. Breadfruit trees and color tropical plants around. People sleeping in the houses on the mats covering the floor. When the group of tourists is arriving they greet them, offering some samples of the local food.
But in general it is in my opinion the tourist trap.
I was happy anyway to see the local life, men drinking kava, women doing laundry. The landscape around - the village lies at the bottom of Sleeping Giant Range - is very nice. I was just on time at the bus stop on the main road to avoid coming rain.
In the evening we are sailing to Dravuni Island. It is raining now, so I pray for the sun for tomorrow.
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Mar 07, 2020 10:00 PM Bula! from Fiji...
Lautoka on the island of Viti Levu is a little port with just one berth for the ship, so we were waiting for the other ship to sail out. Nice view of the mountains from the deck. It is only 10 min walk from the pirt to the town, but those from the ship offer shuttle for 15 USD. Shame!
A crowd of tour providers were waiting on the shore - average their tour is 3 times cheaper than those from the ship...
Friendy locals greet you -Bula! if you walk to the center. On Sunday the big market is closed but there are still stalls with exotic wegetables and flowers on the sidewalks around it. I like to meet locals, what a day!
There are in the theory 3 free wi-fi networks in the center of Lautoka but no chance to connect. What I advise: Any western union money changer will give you access code regardless how many you will change. But this network works only near their offices. Much better is to pay 7 Fiji dollars for the SIM at DIGITEL - it will come with 7GB data transfer valid 7 days - thats what I use...
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Mar 06, 2020 10:00 PM Day at sea - relax...
One day at see between the islands is very nice - you ca take the rest, listen to the good music and make the laundry... The cooks from the ship offer many delicacies - like this cake on the picture. I am getting ready for Fiji...
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Mar 05, 2020 10:00 PM 300 Pacific franks or 8 km walk?
Tour second day Day in Noumea. Number one tourist attraction here is Tijbaou Cultural Center built on the little peninsula 8 kms out of Noumea. When I was here First time There was no bus going to The center. Now it goes better - bus no N2 departs very half an hour or so from Marcie are. The a/C 40 min ride costs 300 franks. They pay for the dolar 108 Pacific franks- let you know that Bank of Caledonia charges minimum commission.
Entry Free for retired people - 500 franks. The architecture of the center is modern and very original. It was worth be there again after years. Kanak wood carvings impressed me most.
On return way I was walking some 8 km enjoying flowers around and Saint Michel Church surrounded by fence of white frangipani plants.
It took me about 2 hours. Good excercise!
In the lata staraniom we are sparing to Fiji.
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Mar 04, 2020 10:00 PM Noumea - New Caledonia after years
It is my third visit to New Caledonia.. After two days at sea we docked in the morning in the capital of New Caledonia. The sun is shining, it is very hot and humid... The place became very tourist - more offers juet in the terminal. AUD is the best currency to pay...
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Mar 03, 2020 10:00 PM Good music and new friends
Relaxing day at sea. The ocean is calm and we are resting enjoying good music and free ice cream :)
I have new friends: friendly Russian couple from Arkhangelsk and Bulgarian couple from Sofia. There is very nice trio of Bulgarian musicianc playing every evaning the music I like. Sorry, so far no dancer...
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