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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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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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Mar 01, 2020 10:00 PM Glass House Mountains - Australia
Second day in Brisbane.
Today my od friend Waldek, living in Brisbane took us by car to the Glass House Mountains. It is like 65 km north by the good motorway. Imagine stoney peaks rising up to 250 m above the level oferta the lush green rainforest... There is a viewpoint on the little hill to enjoy the panorama. One of the mointains reminds the head oferta grilla, the other is like a needle. Very nice experience on the hot Australian day!. Thanks a lot Waldek!
In the evening on the ship the band was playing nice dance music. Sorry, sorry for no dance to dance. Only four couples from China wersja on The flor...
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Feb 29, 2020 10:00 PM In Brisbane, but so far from the City...
Strong sun in the morning. We docked in Brisbane, but due to virus changes - not on the Brisbane river = close to the city, but 22 kms away - in the commercial port on Fishermans Island. Shame! They want to to play extra 15 USD for the return transfer to the city!
The center of Brisbane changed since my last visit. There are new high buildings and the new ones are under construction. It is definitely worth to take a walk along the south bank of the Brisbane River and enjoy the views of the Brisbane skyline and the bridges. See the oldest Store Bridge on the picture. Lush green around, a lot of flowers. They built even a miniature tropical beach with palms for the local people and visitors and it is free! Many restaurants and eateries... Nice place to be...
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Feb 27, 2020 10:00 PM Boarding the ship in Sydney
Sunny day. Blue sky... Our hostel does not have mosquito screens in the windows and the flies disturbed me in the night. But this is the hostel. After included continental breakfast (coffee, cornflakes toasts) we will start a long walk to the pier located near Harbour Bridge. Our ship should wait there, embarcation will start at midday. In the evening we will.be departing to Brisbane. I got a message via internet: due to the koronavirus some small.islands on our route refused to dock the ship. The company offers alternative ports on bigger islands and a kind of compensation. We will see...
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Feb 26, 2020 10:00 PM An exceptional evening in Sydney Opera House
We landed in Sydney at sunrise . Long line to the immigration control. Many people wear anti-virus masks. Then I took the train to Central Sydney - they are rising prices evert year - I paid already hefty 19, 40 AUD for single ticket. From St James station it was a walking distance to Elephant Backpackers where I had a good rest after 3 flights.
But the highlight of the day was the spectacle in the famous Sydney Opera. So many times I was watching this elegant and modern building from outside. Now, I - the ballet and opera lover had a chance to see and to listen great voices during the spectacle of Mozart's "Don Giovanni". The interior is imposing and the spectacle was wonderful! At 10.30 pm, enjoying the warm evening I was walking back to the hostel - it is only 20 minutes, if you remember your way. I like Sydney, mostly due to its spectacular location...
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