Blogs from Vanua Levu, Fiji, Oceania - page 2

16. Oktober 2012 - Abflug nach Auckland, NZ 18. Okt. - nach 30 Stunden Flug Landung in Neuseeland: Begrüßung durch den Zollbeamten: "Welcome tp New Zealand, no worries, I am a friendly person!" 19. Okt. Weiterflug nach Nadi, Fiji; tropische Hitze empfängt uns, wir gehen gleich ins Meer baden, gehen am Strand spazieren, geniesen den tropischen Abend. 20. Okt. - unser Flug nach Savusavu, Insel Vanua Levu wird abgesagt wegen "Heavy Thunderstroms, Low Pressure all over the coutry") 21. Okt. - Abflug ET 6:30, Pilot verschläft Umstellung auf Sommerzeit, Abflug 7:30; verregneter Flug über die Atolle; Landung auf dem winzigen Airstrip von Savusavu; die Piloten machen alles von Hand, kein Tower, keine ATC; richtiger Bush-Airstrip. Der Taxifahrer bringt uns über eine nur mit 4WD zu befahrende Straße ins kleine Paradies von Mario und Tatiana, zwei Expats ... read more

Savusavu - September, 2011 The blog is published a little after the fact, so please excuse my tardiness!! It's time for me to take a trip to Fiji. Caroline is visiting family in the US and I haven't visited the Fiji property in two years. And yes, there will be lots of maintenance that requires attention. Normally, I visit every year, however, Europe and India for five months in 2010 left me little time to spend in the Pacific Islands. August 31 – Sept 1, 2011 The trip starts with a bus ride from Paihia to Auckland where I am picked up by our son, Harrison, and taken to an airport motel for the night. My luggage is right on the 23kg limit, partly because I have dismantled a free standing fan and put it in ... read more

It's now the last night of my travels and I'm feeling a predictable combination of emotions. On the one hand I'm very sad that this wonderful adventure is at an end. On the other, I'm feeling elated at the opportunities and experiences life has given me and incredibly proud of myself for overcoming all the obstacles I've faced. I've learnt many lessons and I've been changed by the people and places I've encountered. I'm determined that I'm going to apply these things to the next phase of my life after this trip. After all, in the new age parlance that I've found I have adopted recently: "Life's a Journey". Just because my next flight destination is a rather unexotic London Heathrow, doesn't mean that I have to stop seeing with new eyes, being open to people ... read more

Savusavu is known as the "Hidden Paradise". The weather has been dry and sunny, however the trades continue to blow. Week three is shaping up to be similar to the prior two weeks. I feel that I am a total slug and am on Fiji Time. Monday, November 16 - I'm half way through the month and am now 1/2 way into my 5th book, a novel about the early life of Genghis Khan. I've already listened to this book on audio books, but have decided to read it after my recent visit to China... Wendy, thanks for letting me take those books from your give-away-box. Sisi comes today and cleans house. It's so nice to have ironed T shirts. I call a taxi and head into town where I meet a Fijian friend called Tuki ... read more

Friends, I always enjoy your comments and read them all; even if I don't reply please keep them coming. Monday, Nov. 4, 2009 - I have been traveling pretty solid since the beginning of August and after 3 1/2 weeks at home in Russell I am off to Fiji for my annual visit. Caroline has just returned from a trip to the US and again we pass like ships in the night. I leave Auckland on Monday evening and arrive three hours later in Nadi (pronounced Nandi). On deplaning, my expectation is to hit a wall of heat and humidity, but much to my surprise it is almost chilly with no humidity. Immigration is a breeze and I am soon picking up my bag and a cardboard container ready for Xray. As soon as the customs ... read more