Lautoka, Fiji
Fiji is a collection of 300 Islands, two of which, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, comprise 80% of the total land mass. Most of Fiji’s resorts are situated in the Nadi area on Viti Levu. Lautoka, also located on Viti Levu, is Fiji’s second largest city with a population of 30,000. It owes it’s existence to a large sugar mill (said to be the largest in the southern hemisphere) and a deep water port. Fiji produces some of the worlds best sugar. About 90% of Fijians still live in villages in the countryside, and the power of the VANUA- one’s land and family ties- is still the most powerful cultural force. Extended family units known as Matagali comprise village communities who own land in common. The concept of individual ownership is foreign in a village where everything is shared. Each village has a chief who in turn owes allegiance to a higher chief. The essential nature of Fijian culture survives to this day.
We spent the day on a small Island hiking and snorkeling, reading and napping.
By the way, for those of you sending comments, (and we love getting your comments and messages!), if you can see them on the blog, so can we. Next stop, Auckland, New Zealand.
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2 comments:
All I can think of while reading your blog was "if you like pina coladas..." Warm, humid with cool breezes sounds pretty darn acceptable to me right now. I got my truck stuck in a ditch of 2 feet of snow yesterday and had to leave it overnight. We were able to get it out okay today though! Whew! Women pay a lot of money to look like I did yesterday and today: covered in mud. hahaha! Say hi to the fishies for me! xoxome
Hi Dad and Ruthanne, Great to hear your news! The food, sun and experiences sound amazing! Please wish Don a happy birthday from Marty and I. Lots of love, Tina
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