November 8

We flew from Suva to Labasa (lahm bah sah) this morning.  Scott was feeling sad that we had not seen Vanua (van new ah) Levu, the second biggest island in Fiji, so he got plane tickets, rented a car and here we are.

We flew into Labasa, because it was so much cheaper than flying into Savusavu; so cheap, in fact, that we saved enough on the flight to pay for the car rental and most of our hotel costs.  It takes under 45 minutes to fly from Suva to Labasa.  Labasa has a population of around 28,000. It is the largest town on the island and is situated on the north eastern side of the island.  The town sits on a delta which was formed by three rivers as they converged on the ocean. It looks like every other town in Fiji; however, the drive from Labasa to Savusavu is a really beautiful one.

A PARK AT THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

VIEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP PARK

CLOSER VIEW OF SAVUSAVU HARBOR

WATERFALL ON WAY TO SAVUSAVU

We chose to stay in Savusavu (sah voo sah voo), because everyone told us that it was such a pretty place.  It is.  The harbor is the nicest one we have seen in all of Fiji.  Many Australians and New Zealanders have sail boats that are always here in Savusavu harbor.  We understand that the owners of the sailboats come and just use them like a condo although sometimes they choose to sail them around the Fijian Islands.

We stayed in the Hot Springs Hotel which is up on a hill overlooking the harbor.  We spent quite a bit of time sitting on our little deck looking at the harbor.

SAVUSAVU HARBOR FROM OUR BALCONY

We ate a quick lunch which was not so hot, and then we took a tour out to a pearl farm.  The farm is in the harbor on the sea side of the island that faces Savusavu.

The pearl farm was fascinating.  It takes three to five years to get the pearls.  They start with very young clams, wait for them to get big enough, implant the seed for the pearl, and then wait.  While they are waiting they have to keep the clams clean, so they bring them up every so often for cleaning.  They also have created artificial reefs using plastic that hangs from frames in which they plant the clams.  The pearl farm in Savusavu specializes in black pearls which can range from soft pastel shades to dark green, blue, and black.  They are so beautiful.  And expensive.

CLAMS HOLDING PEARLS
AT THE BLACK PEARL FARM

Ate in a much better place tonight; the Captain's Table very plush.  We had the nicest talk with a couple from New Zealand who were willing to tell us all the sights we need to see on our visit there.

WATERFALL ON WAY TO SAVUSAVU