Nadi Airport
On 25th January it was time to leave New Zealand and enter a new country as well as a new challenge. Arriving early at Christchurch, I was offered an earlier flight, which I happily accepted to have more time in Auckland before heading finally to Nadi International Airport in Fiji.
My flight with Air New Zealand was pleasant. The aircraft was far from full and I was glad to having a window seat. The aisle seat was occupied by a lovely Fijian lady called Eve. We had a lovely chat, my first encounter with a typical Fijian welcome!
Once landed, we were welcomed with a warm “Bula” which consisted of two multi-talented singers and players performing traditional Fijian live music. It did set the perfect tone of a relaxed, joyful island feeling. How happy and blessed I felt! This feeling was taken away almost instantly by a serious looking officer of immigration.
He went through my passport, asked me several questions and then asked me to follow him to a little office. Not having a choice, I did. They had me there for about 10 minutes, interrogating me about my stay, which places I planned on visiting and how much money I had. After a while they released me and everything seemed just fine. It was an akward situation I have never experienced before. Hopefully I never will again.
Travelling Fiji
Stepping of the plane I was hit by a tropical humid breeze. Fiji is a land of song, kind people and warmth from just everywhere. I knew this was just the start of so much more to come.
Captain Craig from SV Russula was waiting for me at the airport as agreed. It was good to finally meet up in person after months of virtual contact, since I had applied to become a crew member. His Tayana 42 vessel was not in Denerau Port in Nadi, as originally planned, but still in Savusavu.
Taxi
Eddy our taxi-driver took us to our hostel for the first night. After having installed myself and a refreshing shower to wash away the stressful experience with immigration we went for a walk along the beach. A chorus of island birds were competing with Fijian songs played at several hotels.
Pacific Transport Ltd – Express Bus
The next morning we took an airconditioned express bus from Nadi all the way to Suva. Bus timetables can easily be found under: https://www.pacifictransport.com.fj . The bus was packed and I found a seat next to a young Fiji-Indian girl called Siren. She turned out to be a journalist at The Fiji Times and gave me losts of information which I shared with Captain Craig, sitting behind us.
Goundar Shipping – Ferry
At the bus terminal we booked the ferry. Craig wanted me to see the Fiji Museum in Suva. So we purchased two tickets for the next day around 6 p.m. The reviews for the ferry from Suva to Suvasuva are far from promising, but it is definitely a cheaper bet (only 60 FJD p.P.) than taking a flight with Fiji link.
The next day we embarked on the ferry at 4 p.m. It wasn’t all that bad after all. Bags are stored away and you are only allowed to bring a “shopping bag“, no small backpack! Very inconvenient! But a nice lady gave us one, so we could store our food from the backpack into this shopping bag.
The ferry offers seating and an area in the back where you can lay down. It was “kind-of-clean“. One of the toilets even managed to flush! Annoying fact: is the bright lights are on all night. Maybe good in a way, so you won’t step on someone, as most people preferred to lay down on the floor!
Very unfortunate…. some kids were high on sugar being given fizzy drinks all night. Their high-pitched voices made it a short night for both of us. At around 3.40 a.m. in the morning we were finally released from the noisy trip and arrived safely but exhausted in Suvasuva.
SV Russula – Tayana 42
After a walk from the wharf to the town we were kindly picked up by a staff member of Nawi Island Marina. Nested in the protected waters of Savusavu Bay, Nawi Island Marina is a new and safe Marina with the most amazing showers and a pool. Here SV Russula was waiting for us. It was nice to be on board of a Vessel again! Captain Craig showed me my bed and I immediately fell asleep. What a trip!
Fiji Time now
a new chapter of my journey has just begun
