240116 A Lazy Day

We both slept quite well.

We had thought that we would go to the Kula Wild Adventure Park today but...

• it is 14km away and it could be expensive getting there,
• the reviews online were not wildly enthusiastic,
• Chris emailed EcoTrax yesterday and we got a reply saying we could go on their tour on Wednesday morning. She had really wanted to do that but the website said they were sold out until the end of January and their reply to our earlier enquiry said that they were very busy. Everybody who had thought about coming to Fiji but couldn't because of COVID seemed to be coming now. We were put on a waiting list and would be advised. We had heard nothing. Wednesday morning suits us before we move on so it was exciting being accepted. However, it is expensive.
• We are also keen to have dinner here tonight because of the Pacific culture show that goes with it. Last night we had about the cheapest meals on the menu. Tonight we will go for something more indigenous. But that too will be expensive.

All in all, we decided against the Kula Park. We would have a more relaxing day. Soon after we decided, it stared raining and it continued quite steadily until early afternoon.

We spoke to another woman guest. She and her family are from Dunedin. They came essentially for a wedding that had taken place yesterday. Their children had been so this couple had looked after the grandchildren. They are here for one week and are spending all of that time at this resort. She was appreciative of the peace and quiet. They had visited the Shangri-La which is on an island just across the road yesterday and she described it as people everywhere. They too had bene to the sand dunes yesterday.

We have not seen many people here. There were two family groups (including the above family) at dinner last night plus perhaps another couple of couples. There have been a few other people wandering around today. It seems there are more staff than guests. I suspect this resort is owned/run by Indians with some Fijians employed to do the gardening etc.

Chris listened to an audio book. I did a little work on things that are going to crop up as soon as we get home, some AI art, and had a sleep.

We had a handful of nuts for lunch (well, maybe 1.5 handfuls) and headed out to explore our environs. It did not seem nearly as hot although Chris' phone said it was 20 degrees.

At the main road there is Helen's Massage Place, a very rustic looking restaurant and an information centre for Coral Coast Tours. All look far from flash.

A causeway links the mainland with the Yanuca Island where the Shangri-La is. One the far side was an arm for stopping traffic. We talked to the man there who apologised but we were not allowed on the island. No surprise!

A road runs alongside the beach, parallel to the main road which is slightly further inland. We walked to the left and were soon joined by three Fijian boys - possibly hoping for gifts from the tourists. We didn't take their photos in case that would require a payment. We were approach Cuvu village where they live. We learnt that school starts again on 1 February and that two of them played rugby but the third played soccer and likes Messi. There were three of four cattle in the fields beside the road. Realising that this was a village, we chose not to enter. Visitors cannot simply enter a Fijian village without the permission of the chief and entry might also involve a kava ceremony. I don't know if that applies everywhere but we didn't pursue it.

We walked back to the causeway then along to the right. We took photos of a few flowers, the first bananas we have seen and various bits and bobs. There was a village (Rukurukulevu Village) in this direction as well so that became our limit.

The beach looks muddy with coarse sand. It is not an attractive swimming beach. You would presume it is different in the Shandri-La resort. Pictures online show it to be lovely.

There were little crabs scurrying around on the mud.

While walking along a taxi tooted. We indicated that we did not want a lift but he stopped and gave us his card and wished us a happy holiday etc.

There is not much that we can walk to in this location.

We continued with our audio books and sorting photos, writing this blog etc.. Chris has done more than 10,000 steps every day this year (sometimes many more). She didn't have enough today so went to the gym to use the treadmill.

At night we had dinner at the restaurant - coconut crumbed pork, crumbed chicken and two virgin pina coladas - total $F108. There were a lot more people there - maybe 9 or 10 tables. We were not sure if they were all staying or if some come from other places for the meal and show.

The show was good without being fantastic. There was one man and 3 women dancing to recorded music. At different points they got the children, then the men, then the ladies on stage and taught them a dance. It finished with some fire dancing.

That finished at 8:00 and we returned to our room.

Appendix

We do not really need to take photos on this holiday. We can just create our own using AI. Here's a sample.