DRAVUNI, FIJI

This small (2 miles long and even narrower) island has a population of around 135 to 150 inhabitants.     I was told that they only allow a few ships a year to bring guests onto the island and the ship pays a fee of $5,000 to do so.

My favorite island.       The children were let out of school for our visit.      They would often break out in song (unprompted)    The school is for lower grades only.    After that, the children go by boat to another island for classes.

 

Everyone was extremely friendly and polite.   There are no stores of any kind on the island.   Just the school and family homes.     All buildings have metal roofs and a large water collection barrel.    I am presuming this is their only source of fresh water on this tiny island.     Everyone has a large garden.    

 

The seas were very rough as we boarded the tenders.     There were two staff members on the ship and another two on the tender to help each person transfer to the tender.      They would tell me when to step onto the tender which would drop several feet and come back up again.    Bob decided he would stay on ship but I am so glad I went to the island.

 LAUTOKA, FIJI

Unfortunately, this island did not impress me.    There was debris everywhere in the city.     The guide was excited to share that the Chinese were buying up large quantities of land, providing much needed jobs.

Lautoka is known as the Sugar City because of its sugar cane belt areas. The main Lautoka Sugar Mill was founded in 1903, and is the city's biggest employer by far.

The rest of the island is divided into many villages, ruled by their King   Homes are built around the Church for that village.     Our guide's father is King on their smaller island.    He did advise us to visit small islands if we wanted to see the beauty of their country.

Our next stop was a lovely lunch spot with local music.

This old boat was part of this stop as well as a beautiful view out to the ocean.

On to the downtown and some "tourist" shopping.     This young man greeted us.

Another stop, this one at a resort for us to relax and enjoy a brew.

We returned to the ship early enough to catch this double rainbow and later the sunset.

 APIA, WESTERN SAMOA

(Not American Samoa)

We were greeted by this large group of Native dancers.

Apia, Samoa is the capital and only city of Samoa. It is located on the coast of Upolu, Samoa's second-largest island.   Population is 34,960 in 2021.

We visited the impeccably maintained grounds and villa of the famous Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1895), who lived in Samoa for the remaining four years of his life.   While “Villa Vailima” has had a few makeovers over the years, the home has been filled with replicas to represent what this classic colonial home would have looked like. There are also a few original trinkets, books and personal belongings to admire.

This striking cathedral looming over the Apia Harbour is undoubtedly one of the most awe-inspiring in Samoa, from the outside and within.  The Immaculate Conception Cathedral boasts an ornate timber ceiling and vibrant stained-glass windows. The original church was constructed in 1884. 

While in town, we visited a local market where many goods were displayed in these rustic baskets

Standing in plain sight at Apia’s main roundabout on Beach Road, the Apia Clock Tower which commemorates the Samoan soldiers that died during World War I.

The Baha'i House of Worship is located 8 kilometers away from Apia, Samoa. It was built in 1984 and is 30 meters high.   It is the mother church of the Pacific Islands and one of the seven prayer halls in the world.   All Bahá'í Houses of Worship must have nine faces and a central dome. This house of worship is open to adherents of all religions. There are no sermons, ceremonies or priests there. 

 Island of Raiatea, Tahiti

We are spending two full days on this beautiful island.    The ship landed at the dock, so our on/off was much easier.

Our first day was Sunday so there was no excursion scheduled.      The shops are mostly closed.   Bob caught a cold, so it’s a good day to take it easy.           The jewelry store was open, though, and I think I have found my purchase for this trip as well as my wonderful Granddaughter's birthday presents.    I will think about it overnight.

Monday morning we had a sightseeing excursion around the island.   I was surprised at how few flowers there were, although it was very lush with trees.       

One of our stops was a black pearl business.   The father and son dive for the shells, clean the pearls and rate them, while the wife and daughter design the jewelry for their shop out over the water.     Yes, on our return into town, I did revisit the jewelry store and made my purchase.   

As on Moorea, when the missionaries came they banned the local language, religion and heritage.     Much of it was lost because there was no written language.   They are now working at bringing it back. 

One interesting approach:     Our driver’s wife’s family is a major part of this.      Their land is dedicated to that family and only family members may enter  (as a guest).      The native language is solely used, and the children are raised in a small school dedicated to their heritage.      This is primarily living off the land, conservation, ancestral ways.    Girls become women at their first menstrual cycle and boys become men when they grow facial hair.

We visited Taputapuata, a UNESCO world heritage site.   The marae was where ascetic priests consecrated the rites of the rahui (a temporary prohibition on a resource or on actions).    Human sacrifices were perpetrated on a sacred stone placed in front of the courtyard.    

The Council House was where chiefs, priests and other specialists gathered and slept.    Archery was only for great warriors and contenders for the title of sovereign.   Another site here was dedicated to the god of peace and war.   There are ongoing archeological digs, which we observed.

Tattoo’s are a major part of their heritage.    A man tattooes part of his body when he has done something worthy of the honor.      The more tattoo’s, the more honorable he is.