January 31 - Lautoka, Fiji

Bula Bula (Hello in Fijian). We anchored this morning in sunny, warm and humid Lautoka, Viti Levu (the name of the specific island), Fiji. The first thing we did (after breakfast) was tender into port and board a bus for our excursion to Schooner Island.  It was a bit broken overcast as we left the port for drive through a corner of the Viti Levu island but we had some good views.

To get to our boat we had to go through the gated community of Denaru...beautiful area with large homes...

Schooner Island is very small and privately owned and they rent it out to groups like us...so we have it to ourselves today. Factoid - Fiji has 333 islands, only about a third of them are inhabited. I guess you could say that this island is semi-inhabited. Two caretakers and their dog live here full time to keep trespasser off and to host groups who have reserved the island, like us.

Upon arriving most of the group picked up snorkel gear and headed out for some snorkeling. The shallow water was pretty clear but once we got out a ways it got rather murky...pictures weren't so good. But we saw a lot of fish and had a grand time (and got only slightly sunburned when we failed to reach some awkward, hard to reach places when applying sunscreen).

Baby Black Tip Reef Shark

Blue Star Fish

Unknown Fish

Vagabond  Butterflyfish

Zebra Fish

Zebra Fish

From Schooner Island we had great views of Viti Levu...

and some of the other islands.

After lunch some of the group headed out on kayaks, others took a ride on a glass bottom boat and others headed out for more snorkeling.  Paul wandered the island for some more picture taking...

and found lots of baby Black Tipped Reef Sharks in the shallows by the island,

and jelly fish on the beach...

and Mary snoozed on a lounge chair in the shade of a palm tree. 

All too soon it was time to board the boat for the 45 minute cruise back to the main island.  Along the way some of the crew pulled out guitars and a ukulele and we had a sing-a-long.

On the drive back to the port we did a quick stop by the airport so that a British guest could see the statue of Labalaba, a Fijian how fought in the Gulf War and saved the lives of a number of British soldiers.

We picked up some new performers in Fiji, and some of the old performers left.  This evening we were treated to a concert by Australian Singer/Actor Tim Campbell.  Again, a very nice evening of entertainment.