Fiji

Suva, Fiji – February 26, 2014

Well, this is more like it!! Finally….a marching band with all the bells and whistles!! We were spoiled on Queen Victoria’s maiden world cruise in 2008 where we were greeted by entertainment on the quay in every port. (www.waterunderthebridges.blogspot.com) Hearing a rousing rendition of “YMCA,” we rushed from our stateroom out onto our balcony to this sight. Encore! Encore!

Since we had received notification of a dengue fever outbreak currently taking place in Fiji, we slathered on the DEET before hitting the streets of Suva. This city is the largest in the islands of the South Pacific and so was a great place to load up on souvenirs and any needed incidentals. The skies opened up shortly after we disembarked, so our first purchases were some souvenir umbrellas!

The pouring rain bore bad news for our scuba-diving companions, Ginny and Damon. They had planned to stay and dive on Fiji for a week and rejoin the ship in Sydney. But we have learned that there is a tropical depression which is strengthening and could become a full-blown cyclone. Emergency shelters are being set up on the island and flood warnings are out. Fifteen-foot waves are expected and have dashed any thoughts of staying on Fiji. The waves were already crashing on the reefs as we left the harbor of Suva.