Day 20 - Okay, now we're talkin'!
We really do not have any friends or acquaintances who are dedicated hardcore travellers. I find that slightly annoying as it'd be fun to swap stories. Cleary, I should be happy for those who return again and again to a specific location they've found enjoyable. However, I feel frustrated these folks might find a much better match for them if they'd venture a few more places on our planet.
On this type of cruise journey, we're much more likely to rub shoulders with other 'world travellers'. Yet, just because we've been to common destinations doesn't necessarily mean we've common experiences with them. People travel for all sorts of reasons and in all sorts of ways. Today, I think I've discovered a new favourite place.
I love Fiji for our own special set of reasons. First, it's tropical which means it passes the first test as a winter escape. Also, Suva, the capital, is large enough to support sizable markets. Though, the main reason why I love being here is the culture. It has one and that's really why I have any desire to venture away from home. Hawaii for all its allure is simply the US with a better than average climate. This island is an interesting mixture of Melanesian, Polynesian, and Indo-Chinese cultures and history.
We spent almost all day walking around the capital city, probably more than 14 kilometers in all. The only change was around midday when we returned to the ship for lunch and a quick shower. This is the celebration of Hindu Diwali, so the city is probably experiencing its busiest Saturday of the year for shopping.
The produce market was right beside the port. When walking from the ship, we needed to walk through aisles of coconuts, bananas, papaya, soursop, mangos, chilis, as well as taro root and yams for planting. A bit further over the daily catch of fish was on sale. Bright bluefish we've never cooked and painted lobsters we've never eaten were on sale. All this was right next to the local and island bus station. A bit further stood the 1930's Waterfront building and a few streets of old, mostly-Indian-owned shops selling sundry items and cloth for saris. A few modern shopping centers were next door. One new one even had a three-story, mechanical dinosaur to attract potential customers. We found a Sri Lanka restaurant in their food court.
On our first time out of the ship, we walked down past the Grand Hotel of British-era vintage and on towards the Botanical Gardens. Facilities such as a public, Olympic-sized swimming pool and a Carnegie Library were along our path back. Yes, the beaches were close and the mountains clad in jungle cover.
When I want to spend our 5-month winters away, it has to have someplace with more than just a bit of pretty scenery. It has to have a vibe very different to what we'd find if we stayed home. It has to be a place just like Suva!
