Fiji Wins

Blog entry March 26

The big news here has to be that Fiji won the International “Sevens” Rugby Tournament held this weekend in Hong Kong.  24 national teams took part.  Canada was there but did not fare as well.  Fiji played long-time rival, New Zealand, in the final winning 35/28.  Many of us watched it in the hotel lobby last night.

The streets of Savusavu are empty on Sunday as most businesses are closed.  So it was a kind of lazy, read-a-book day.  Shopping for souvenirs on Saturday continued to be frustrating as it is hard to find something here that is typically Fijian.  Anybody want a taro root?  That is the main product.  Or kava, but since that is a mild narcotic, I cannot bring it home.  The bundle of kava being off loaded from the bus is worth about $300 Fijian.

Sunday night was my last Fijian buffet and music night.  It is held at the Waitui Club which is a rustic Fijian bar and kitchen with a deck over the water.  I was the envy of many of the guys as some of the ladies posed for a farewell photo.  Some of our friends come for the music and socializing but avoid the Fijian buffet, refusing to eat anything they cannot pronounce.  I figure that if I get to the buffet as soon as it comes out before the flies have at it, it could be better for me than most restaurant food.  The deck over the water is useful, it is where people clean off their plates!

I picked up some interesting advice on where to go once I leave here on the ferry Tuesday night for Viti Levu, the ‘big island’.  There was more conversation with folk and less singing.  My Lonely Planet is very useful and because it is a recent edition, many want to borrow it.

Hope to do some exploring today and tomorrow before I leave Savusavu.  

Just in case you are all worried that Don will have a strip of white skin after his first haircut at home, I visited a barber this morning.  He was going to charge me $4, but when I took off my hat, he offered $3.  Anyway, one of the best haircuts I have been given anywhere and I gave him $5.  That would be about $3.50 Canadian where I could pay up to $20 at home.

Glad to hear that Mum is enjoying this blog and I will try and add some photos to keep it interesting.

 My Monday Transportation - sun & rain!