This morning we start with a passion of mine; weird sculptures. Owls, on this occasion. The Big Hoot places 50 owls painted by local artists around town. We manage to locate 20 before losing interest. Or at least until the old man loses interest. He has spotted a boat and can’t resist a boat ride. We take a ferry to Waiheke Island, which is a lovely afternoon out for two reasons; (1) the scenery is beautiful and (2) it’s covered with wineries. We have a picnic beside a bay then go to a winery for a tasting which is served on a hillside overlooking the vineyard. Goldie Estate claims to specialise in ‘Wine Science’. I think I would be a good wine scientist. We catch the return ferry to the mainland. It’s starting to get rather ... read more

Our last day in Fiji is uneventful. The old man is burnt from his much anticipated dive and vows never to expose his skin to the sun again. He spends the day on the lanai playing candy crush and moaning alternatively about the sun, heat and mosquitoes. I take a swim then devise a way to read without being troubled by the aforementioned. I sit on the bottom step of the pool exposing only my head and one hand. One last thunder storm, one last sunset walk along the beach and our wet week in Fiji is at and end. ... read more

It has become apparent that the towels we were issued with on Saturday will not be changed. The humidity is 86% - once something gets wet, it stays wet. I can still see drops dripping from the towel I used after yesterday’s swim. I understand that they only get linen delivered once a week and that would be fine if we was staying in a Fijian hotel with Fijian prices. But the hotel is foreign owned and we are paying decidedly first world prices. It has put me in a bad mood. It’s going to be a long day. First, the old man goes to see if the dive shop has managed to conjure up 3 more customers. Meanwhile, I will spend the morning swimming and reading. That pretty much covers the available activities at Wellesley ... read more

Today we brave driving up the hotel’s 3 mile dirt track-come-river and visit the capital, Suva. It’s a further 50 miles along the Queen’s Road, the main road which circumnavigates the island. The road condition plus speed bumps in the villages mean it’s a 2 hour drive each way. Suva has a population of 85,000. It’s weird to think of a capital city less than half the size of Bournemouth. Maybe Dorset should become a republic? First we head for a supermarket. The remoteness of our hotel has induced the owners to charge exorbitant prices for food and drink so we buy some provisions to keep costs down a bit. The road hugs the ocean for much of the drive, but the closer we get to Suva, the more polluted it becomes with bottles, tyres and ... read more

We finally arrive in Fiji, literally on the other side of the world. It’s been an epic journey; a 6000 mile, 12 hour overnight flight across 20 time zones (not to mention the international date line and the equator). With Fiji Air, packed like sardines, with one round of the drinks trolley and a meagre choice of films. It’s safe to say we’re a little weary and we still have to collect our luggage and hire car and drive to the hotel. I may have struggled to get my head round the time zone changes but we are now definitely on island time. We have to wake the guy at the car rental office up to get served. Then get an upgrade because he can’t locate our allocated car. The old man has booked a hotel ... read more