Come sail with me on a virtual cruise on Majestic Princess to Fiji!

[ellie1145]

My Guardian Angel

 

 

Our driver parks the vehicle on the beach and we make our way to some shady trees. DH is on bag watch, while I make my way to the water. The tide is right out, and there is a very long walk in shallows, but I can see that people are swimming in deeper water in the distance. 

I start to walk out but I hate not knowing what I’m treading on, and I don’t have any water shoes, so when I see little crabs in the sand I lose courage and decide I can’t face wading out to where I can swim. Reluctantly, I turn round and walk back to where DH is sitting.

By this time we have been joined by a young American family with two little children. They are from the ship, but obviously have forgotten to bring enough towels with them. I offer them a couple of ours as we have brought two each with us. They thank us and seem very grateful. 

The husband starts to take the children into the water and sees me hesitating on the edge, so very kindly he offers to take me with him. He takes my hand and guides me through the water, and stays with me until we reach the deeper water, which is crystal clear and warm. 

 

I am so grateful to him as, without his kindness, I would have missed swimming in this beautiful ocean. I swim around for a while and he plays with his children before we walk back together.  

 

What a wonderful experience, swimming in this beautiful water, and made all the better by the kindness of a stranger. 

 

 

 

Compare this beach with how it is in 2019, following the stormy weather. 

 

 

[ellie1145]

 

 

Swim over, we collect up our bits and pieces and return to the car. We don't have much time as we have a tour this afternoon and must get back to the ship to change, grab a bite to eat and get the tender back to shore.

 

 

 

The little rocks with palm trees on them can just be seen in this picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

We are relieved when we see the town appearing. We don't have much time and we still have to get back on a tender. We've had a great morning and seen so much of this beautiful island. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank goodness the tenders are waiting and we get straight on one. 

A quick shower, a change of clothes, a dash to the buffet and a bite to eat and off we go again! 

 

See you back onshore for our next great adventure, the Waisali Rainforest Reserve - but don't forget your umbrella as the weather is changing! 

 

 

[ellie1145]

Goodnight, sleep tight, see you in the morning, ready for Waisali!😉

[PaulS]

Was your earlier trip also on the Majestic Princess?

[ellie1145]

14 minutes ago, PaulS said:

Was your earlier trip also on the Majestic Princess?

No, it was on the fateful Diamond Princess. 

[azbirdmom]

I very much enjoyed the trip in your time machine and am looking forward to the afternoon adventure.  It's a very different place when not obscured by clouds and driving rain.

[ellie1145]

3 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

I very much enjoyed the trip in your time machine and am looking forward to the afternoon adventure.  It's a very different place when not obscured by clouds and driving rain.

I am so pleased that you enjoyed our little deviation from the route. I think you will enjoy our trip this afternoon, despite the weather. Savusavu is such a beautiful island, I wanted to ensure that everyone could see a little of its beauty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AF-1]

On 7/31/2020 at 5:30 PM, ellie1145 said:

 

AF-1 I’m afraid I haven’t been able to find you a McDonalds in the last few days. Or even a Starbucks! 🥴

No worries.  I took a cruise to eastern med; and could not find Starbucks until we got to Turkey.  McDonalds was everywhere; Greece, Turkey, Italy.  It's all good

[rmf11699]

On 8/1/2020 at 4:02 AM, ellie1145 said:

🎵   Feelin' Hot, Hot, Hot! 🎵

On our way back the guide takes us to the natural hot springs. It’s something I’ve never seen before, but here the water bubbles up out of the ground, scalding hot, with the steam rising from it. 

 

If you liked those hot springs you should come to Wyoming and see Yellowstone, home of "Old Faithful" and many other hot springs!

[AF-1]

September 10, 2011

1,675 posts

Hampshire, UK

Report post

 

 

 #1015

Posted yesterday at 05:02 AM (edited)

🎵   Feelin' Hot, Hot, Hot! 🎵

 

http://www.songlyrics.com/buster-poindexter/hot-hot-hot-lyrics/

 

ellie1145,  this song was written by Buster Poindexter;  but that is not his real name.  He did not want to take credit for writing this song.  The performers real name is David Johanson from NY.  Great performer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Johansen

[ellie1145]

 

🎵  Living, virtual insanity,

       Virtual insanity is what we're living in 🎵

 

(prize if you can tell me who sings this)

 

 

As this is a virtual cruise I am pleased to tell you that I am able to take you back in time, and give you a glimpse of what to expect at the Waisali Rainforest Reserve. Now I know you have had a very busy day already, but the beauty of  virtual travel is that you never feel tired!

 

So step aboard the Tardis (a time travel machine made famous by the Dr Who British television series) and I will take you to see this beautiful and breathtaking 260 acre protected park which is home to endangered wildlife, exotic flora, and the rare Orange Dove and Red Shining Parrot, though I’m afraid I can’t promise you will see either. 😉

 

Nestled amid mountains, this park is home to thousands of plants, trees and many exotic birds, as well as 30 species of orchids. But I suggest you bring an umbrella, mozzie spray, water to drink and lots of stamina. And some sensible shoes... no high heels I’m afraid!

 

 

[ellie1145]

1 hour ago, AF-1 said:

No worries.  I took a cruise to eastern med; and could not find Starbucks until we got to Turkey.  McDonalds was everywhere; Greece, Turkey, Italy.  It's all good

 

Glad you are coping without your favourites! 😉

[ellie1145]

1 hour ago, rmf11699 said:

If you liked those hot springs you should come to Wyoming and see Yellowstone, home of "Old Faithful" and many other hot springs!

 

It's  on our bucket list rmf11699! Fingers crossed for the future!

[ellie1145]

1 hour ago, AF-1 said:

September 10, 2011

1,675 posts

Hampshire, UK

Report post

 

 

 #1015

Posted yesterday at 05:02 AM (edited)

🎵   Feelin' Hot, Hot, Hot! 🎵

 

http://www.songlyrics.com/buster-poindexter/hot-hot-hot-lyrics/

 

ellie1145,  this song was written by Buster Poindexter;  but that is not his real name.  He did not want to take credit for writing this song.  The performers real name is David Johanson from NY.  Great performer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Johansen

 

That song always makes me think of cruising and leaving port in the Caribbean. Great memories.

 

Of course, a prize will be winging your way!

[rmf11699]

25 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

 

It's  on our bucket list rmf11699! Fingers crossed for the future!

May all your bucket list wishes come true.

[cnd crsr]

HI Ellie

So glad you are providing the Tardis as an addition  -- the rain had really interfered with the beauty of Fiji and now with sun and a look into the past, we can enjoy this little piece of paradise in a new light!

I have my flat sensible shoes, mozzie spray, a gigantic bottle of water, sunscreen and am ready ... can't wait for today's adventure!

Gail

 

PS Hope your DH is feeling better.

[ellie1145]

 

 

We set off in a rather rattly coach with no air conditioning and very few springs, on a drive which takes about an hour. It is an interesting drive which winds its way along the coast before heading off up into the heart of the central highlands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

2 hours ago, rmf11699 said:

May all your bucket list wishes come true.

 

Thank you, and yours too! 🙂

[ellie1145]

1 hour ago, cnd crsr said:

HI Ellie

So glad you are providing the Tardis as an addition  -- the rain had really interfered with the beauty of Fiji and now with sun and a look into the past, we can enjoy this little piece of paradise in a new light!

I have my flat sensible shoes, mozzie spray, a gigantic bottle of water, sunscreen and am ready ... can't wait for today's adventure!

Gail

 

PS Hope your DH is feeling better.

 

I knew I could trust my intrepid Cruising Adventurers to be fully equipped and ready for the 'off!'

 

DH a little better today, but it's slow. 👍

[ellie1145]

It's a beautiful drive and the sun is still shining!

 

I love seeing the villages, schools and houses on the way. It may be a little bumpy, but there is a breeze coming in through the windows and the scenery is gorgeous. It is so lush, and fertile. 

 

 

 

There is a cow hiding in the tall grass

 

 

 

We pass through Nabalebale Village.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We begin climbing into the mountainous hinterland.  The clouds are rolling down the mountains as we ascend, but the sun is still shining!

 

[ellie1145]

We arrive, at last! 

 

We have been climbing steadily, and we are nearly there. The houses are surprisingly well cared for and constructed. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have arrived at last. The guides are waiting, and so are members of their family, who also help out. This lady gives out bottles of water to us all. We see more of this sweet little boy later. 

 

 

 

I think we are all blown away by the view.

 

Now we are not, generally speaking, fans of cruise tours, and prefer to go off piste if we can. However, this is one tour I would definitely suggest booking with the ship. For a start, it is quite a long way so should anything go wrong you are protected. And secondly, this Rainforest Reserve is not open all the time. Unless  people book to visit, it is not manned, and the gates are locked. The park rangers have to be informed prior to your visit, so booking a ship's tour is really the safest way to do it. 

 

 

[ellie1145]

 

 

After a beautiful sunny morning, and early afternoon, the weather has become unsettled, with rain showers, and as the coach pulls into the side of the road at the entrance to the Reserve, it is clear that there has been heavy rain. The ground is absolutely sodden, with huge puddles everywhere.

 

We get off the coach and squelch across the boggy grass to gather on a grassy plateau where we look over the stunning panorama of the rainforest. I'm wearing trainers, thank goodness, but the water oozes over them as I walk.I really could have done with welly boots!

 

 

[ellie1145]

Waisali Rainforest Reserve

 

 

There is a ring of mountains, heavily forested and surrounded by dense vegetation, dotted with exquisite orchids. 

 

The view takes my breath away, and if all we see is that, then the journey has been worthwhile.

 

 

We can see clouds rolling down the mountains, so there is more rain to come, but for now we just stand and gaze in awe at the beautiful view in front of us. It is completely peaceful and serene, and a great place to reconnect with nature.

 

 

Carrying our bottles of water and, accompanied by several guides, we start our walk down the path which will eventually led to the waterfall, about a 40 minute trek, but by this time it’s raining quite heavily.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

"We're not gonna make it, We're not gonna make it!" 

(Prize for the person who correctly identifies precisely where you would hear that phrase! Clue, it's one of my favourite places...)

 

There are several members of the party who decide they will not risk the walk. As soon as we make our way to the entrance we can see that the pathway down to the waterfall is treacherous and sadly, it  defeats us before we can reach it.  

 

There are a few steps cut into the mountainside, but even these are difficult to negotiate.

Trying to hold an umbrella in heavy rain whilst climbing down a precipitous and narrow path, with tree roots and puddles makes us realise that one false step could result in a broken hip or leg, and the end of our cruise. I’m afraid the prospect of being hospitalised here in Savu Savu is not one we savour.

 

However, we make a partial descent, and are very lucky that a kind guide stays with us the whole time, but when it became very wet and slippery we make the decision to abandon our hike rather than risk a fall. The rain is getting worse so it's the only sensible thing to do.

 

We are escorted back up to the top where we join a few more passengers who have decided not to risk the descent. We are really disappointed but it is the right decision.

 

 

 

There is a little hut with a couple of chairs outside where we join some other members of the party who have decided to stay at the top.

 

The bus is parked, and we can get back on it when we want to.