Suva, Fiji

We arrived in hot, humid, sunny Fiji on the populated side at the port and capital of Suva. There are 80,000 people in this city, the largest on this island. Fiji is comprised of 332 islands and many are not inhabited. We have been here twice before on tours so today decided to just walk into the city and look around. Tourism is the main industry and because of the economy, the people are suffering somewhat. Approximately 3 to 4 ships arrive per month. The other side of this island is where the tourists come to and it is called Nadi. Two weeks ago, a cyclone hit and devastated that side of the island to the tune of $70,000,000. This has hurt tourism here very much.

Suva is the commercial and political centre of Fiji and the largest urban area in the South Pacific outside of Australis and New Zealand. It is Fiji's main port city. Suva is on a peninsula, and is almost surrounded by sea. The nearest beach from here is 40 KM away. The nearby coast is lined by mangroves. Part of this city centre is built on reclaimed mangrove swamp.

Alot of the crew are not leaving the ship for the nice beaches are on the other side of the island, too far to go to and get back to.

The city centre had a modern air conditioned mall which was lovely. The other stores are quite small, hot and dirty. We saw many East Indian stores. The East Indian people were brought from India to work as cheap labor, as were the Chinese. They have stayed and integrated with the locals although there is some hatred of the East Indians who are good business people and are doing better than the locals who tend to sit around and make grass skirts, or fish etc.

The market place we went into had tables and tables of veggies but little fruit. A very small apple cost fifty cents. You see alot of poverty around and filth.

We enjoyed seeing the city part, but must admit we prefer to see the lovely beaches instead. Oh well, we are onto to New Caledonia next, a place we have not visited before so that will be exciting.