November 9

Through Trip Advisor Scott found a tour guide named Elaine that was willing to take us anyplace we wanted to go.  She started with a full day trip to an island which included lunch, snorkeling, and just laying around.  We ended up with me staying at the hotel (to read) and Scott driving himself out to her partner's village and then taking a billibilli out to a nearby island to snorkel all for $45 Fijian which is about $25 Fijian.  Scott had a great time.

Me?  After I read for a few minutes, I got really nervous.  All I could do is think about all the stuff we had to do before we left Fiji.  To make myself feel better, I worked on the how-to-do sheets for our replacements, the Petersons.  I sat on the balcony typing, thinking, and enjoying the view.  A perfect half day for me.

THE ROAD

When Scott got back, we went for a late lunch and then decided to take the only other paved road on Vanua Levu.  It runs past the expensive resorts on Vanua Levu.  I drove and we just watched the scenery, talked and enjoyed ourselves.

We drove for about forty minutes and only saw construction trucks and three or four cars.

VIEW FROM THE RESORT ROAD

ISLETS ALONG THE ROAD

This road was one of the best roads we have
driven on in Fiji--smooth with no potholes. Besides rebuilding the road, new bus stands have been constructed or are in the process of being built.

Near the end of the paved road, Scott started asking for directions to another arm of Vanua Levu.  We knew it would be dirt, but hoped it would give us great ocean views.  It was interesting that everyone we asked gave us different information.  It became clear that the older people we asked did not understand English well enough to know what we had asked.

MANGROVES

A GROVE OF COCONUT TREES

We finally found the beginning of the road into the bush.  We  drove it for about 15 minutes and decided no view was worth this drive.

We turned around and headed back to Savusavu.




Just before we got to Savusavu we came across this cute little portable store.  When Scott stopped to take pictures the store owner insisted on having his picture taken while contorting his body.

THE WHEELBARROW STORE

THE CONTORTIONIST