Fiji the long way with our last QFi JASA.

[drron]

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Back at the landing site there was still over an hour before the afternoon activity so I took off on another track.A family group passed me then the man doubled back and asked if I would like to go to there village.He said it was a half hour walk so I declined.But great views of a lagoon and other villages-

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[drron]

The afternoon excursion is to the active volcano Mt.Yasur.The 3 of us who remained on the island line up to get into the pickups but are literaly pushed out of the way by those on the first zodiac in.So I ended up in the second truck which had a cage over the back.meant you wouldn't fall out but your head got a working over.the road was atrocious.About half way up a lizard dropped out of a tree onto my knee.Then started jumping all over the truck.managed to catch it and persuaded it to jump out of the truck.
there is obviously no warranty on shock absorbers on Tanna.Finally we reached the parking lot.A short,sharp walk up to the crater.it is impressive and with great views-

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[drron]

We were supposed to be allowed to the summit if the activity was level 0 or 1.level 2 is the presence of lava bombs.You be the judge-
http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OpDCsKvLmsY/VEDnOEgxx_I/AAAAAAABemY/zR7sJAcegrc/s400/DSC01517.JPG.

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[drron]

It had been a great show.I decided to leave early.As I walked down another tour group were walking up.The pick up just arriving turned out to be the one I was on going back down hill.it actually had functioning shock absorbers so I was able to take a few pictures.

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notice the steam coming out of the embankment-

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But a more typical road condition-

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[drron]

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Back at the landing site there were still lots of locals to see us off.

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the swell had increased and I got thoroughly soaked on the zodiac ride back to the ship.Needed a long soak in a nice warm bath.

 

[drron]

That night was the Captain's farewell coughtail party and dinner.Before that a beautiful sunset again-

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We definitely feel 30 days is our limit for a cruise,maybe even a couple of days less.Enjoyed the coughtail party but the dinner was a let down.As usual we asked the restaurant manager if we could share a table.As usual he sent us to a table of 4 saying he would get another "pleasant" couple to dine with us.As usual we ended up dining alone.It became a point of complaint to the Hotel Director.
It was another rough night and once again little sleep.At dinner it was announced that due to the conditions we would be 2 hours late arriving into Lautoka.We emailed our transport putting back our pick up 2 hours.At breakfast though it was announced that we had made up that time and would be on time.Of course this was now after we had to vacate our room.Phoned our contact and could only get message bank so had to hope everything was OK.

However something upset me a lot.We learnt from other passengers that Dr.Joel was having a major problem.Basically he was a late replacement.He agreed to fill in as long as his wife and child could join him in Lautoka.he believed that had been agreed to.however he was told that was now impossible.he therefore said he would need to leave in Lautoka to be with his family.Then told he would therefore have to pay his airfare home as well as the airfare for his replacement so that effectively he would not be paid for his time served.In view of the good publicity he got by organising the Medical clinics I feel this was bad form by Silverseas.

So that was the cruise.Our transport was at the dock and a pleasant transfer to the Sheraton Fiji.I will do a little of our time in Fiji and last flights.

 

[drron]

My review of the Sheraton is here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....on-fiji-resort-denarau-64113.html#post1143897

Our surrogate family had flown in to spend the weekend with us.That felt great.That night we all dined in the Port's O'Call restaurant.In the past the service here was top notch and even when staying at the Hilton we would come here for dinner.The menu hadn't changed much,the quality of the food was as good as previously but there were only half the staff numbers and the price was much higher.Four meals,3 bottles of wine and the bill was just over $F1000.
here are the photos-

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[drron]

Sunday it was an early breakfast as at 0800 we were to board our fishing charter at the Westin.But even before 0700 there was a long line to get into brekkie.fortunately as an SPG plat full breakfast was complimentary.Not a bad breakfast with reasonable Asian choices,a vegetarian indian curry each morning and you could get a chilli omelette.
As most of you probably are aware this turned out to be a great day.All due to our crew who knew exactly where to go.We started off trolling and we were the only boat in our area though we saw several going out.So the pictures-

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Do you think I look a little pleased with myself?The only problem was that on the last few days on the cruise I was trying to convince an American who was a fly fishing fan that I was the world's worst fisherman.well not any more.Here is the boat we were on-

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We took a side of the fish to be cooked at the Flying fish restaurant.

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I was hoping that Peter Kuravita would be in the kitchen.He was there on Saturday night but for a wedding reception.He flew back on Sunday.So here is a nice fresh fish served that night with a very nice salad seasoned fries and a choice of sauces-

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We had to sign a disclaimer that we would absolve the restaurant from any illness consuming the fish-a large wahoo is a likely culprit for ciguatera.however as we were finishing and obviously not suffering I heard a waiter at a neighbouring table saying that as well as snapper there was fresh wahoo as the fish of the day!

 

[drron]

The Flying Fish restaurant goes out on to the sand.You get a great view of the sunset-

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Our "family"flew back home on the Monday.We basically just tried to chill out for the rest of the time.we went to Port Denarua one day.Certainly more restaurants and shops than on our last visit.However really nothing much.They do have a Hard Rock café and a Bonefish Grille but I really didn't want an American chain restaurant meal in FIJI.Will get plenty of that when back in the USA.
A lot of leisure activities available here up to a Captain Cook cruise to the Yasawas-

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We visited all the hotels except the Hilton.All were very busy,all overrun by kids and all were reasonably expensive for food.I did like the landscaping at the Sofitel-

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Would get into trouble growing lantana back home.

 

[drron]

On the Monday night we went to the Wet Edge bar at the Sheraton villas for dinner as we saw they had a special seafood platter for 2 for $F65.It was very good so we went back a couple of times.Good beef short ribs,pork belly and their Kokoda was the best this trip-

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So a little summary.For us as an older couple looking to chill out Denarua is no longer a place to go.If though you have a young family or taking grandchildren they will probably have a ball.the Sheraton still operates it's children's club to give you a rest when needed.if staying at one of the SPG properties I do recommend the Wet Edge for meals.good food,prices more reasonable and the only place we found the old Fijian friendly service as it was 20 years ago.

Weddings are also very popular there was at least one every day at the Sheraton.I would advise though going straight out to an island afterwards if you want a bit of romance.

One of the changes that upset me is that it is very obvious now that the ethnic Fijians are loosing.The Westin's Pacific menu was exclusively Indian dishes.At most places the Kokoda was very liberally laced with chilli-that is not the Fijian way.The 2 newspapers during our stay were virtually all articles and ads for Diwali.Virtually no news.
Of course Diwali was very popular with the CUBs who were able to buy fireworks and let them off any time often after midnight.Eventually the Sheraton introduced a ban on fireworks.

again just reinforces the idea that if you have something on your bucket list do it as soon as you can.Nothing stays the same.

 

[drron]

So checkout day arrives.I am allowed a 2pm checkout.But everyone else gets the same.so a couple of hours to kill before we are off to the airport.I chose FJ 915 as when I booked it left at 1330 getting us into SYD at a nice hour.Of course they changed the timing so now leaving at 1830 getting into SYD about 35 minutes before curfew.So certainly was hoping for no delays.
No problems with checkin though we were moved from selected 1A,B to 2E,F.Went to the FJ lounge.Really nothing much but at least away from the kids running around.Premium boarding is a joke.A separate line but rarely staffed.Only 2 rows of J.We are on a QFF classic award.Row 14 is immediately behind row 2.3 children there and the choir started on take off.

FJ915. NAN-SYD. ETD-1830. PB-1811. Take off-1817.
ETA-2225. Landed-2129. At gate-2134.
A really good tail wind.On take off-

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Unfortunately low clouds so soon above them-

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Very soon dinner is served.appetisers ans salad are nice-

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I have the beef for main-OK.mrsdrron has the fish-really overcooked and dry.

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I have the Tempus 2 red and mrsdrron has the Shaw and Smith SB.quite a bit of turbulence initially but otherwise uneventful.No queues at Immigration.Have to go through the quarantine lines with our buys from the islands but allowed through.Soon in our rental and to the SGS.Upgraded to a Park view room.not disappointed as the place is obviously full with the 20 nation Pacific trade program meeting here.We are on the floor with the Japanese delegation.the 2 standard suites on the floor have been turned into meeting rooms.
the next day was our son's 40th birthday.we offered him dinner at Aria but he decided we would go to noodles in the Park.Certainly convenient for us.The food was really good.i would recommend it for those in Sydney next October.Came complete with a dragon-

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[drron]

So to the last post for the trip.First our view from our room.The Noodles in the Park is in full swing-

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Our only meal at a restaurant was breakfast at Bills Darlinghurst.Really good.Corn fritters,scrambled eggs and my chilli egg brioche-

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Finishing with the to die for meringue-

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Was also great to be sharing it with all the family.The grandkids loved it.
Just a short stay and Tuesday we were off back home.Short stay in the J lounge.The lunch offerings were quite poor I thought.

QF528. SYD-BNE. ETD-1305. Push back-1307. Take off-1312.
ETA-1335. Landed-1325. At gate-1329. Seats 2A,C.
A nice lunch.mrsdrron had the ham.pea and feta salad with mint dressing and I had the toasted pastrami and cheese on rye-

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We both enjoyed the wirra Wirra reisling.the flight was a little bumpy,lots of fires and smoke below.For the first time for a while not put into a holding pattern landing into BNE.Our bags are out in the first few and we are back at home just after 3pm.Unfortunately I left home the next day at 0400 to work in Townsville.

A short stay in Australia as in 4 weeks we are off again.our last domestic JASA flying to SYD.Our first TG f flight courtesy of life miles.A paid TG J flight BKK-RGN as ridiculously cheap.River cruise on the Orcaella on the Irrawaddy.ballooning in Bagan.Our first and probably last flights on Asian Wings airways and Air Kanbawza.Another life miles flight RGN-SIN and finally a KF award back to BNE.
So Christmas and New Year in Myanmar as well as my birthday.

 

[RooFlyer]

Great TR as usual drron.

Am extremely jealous of the volcano visit on Tanna (being geological and all that). I was supposed to go there a few years back but the flight from Port Vila was cancelled due to weather

You mentioned lack of reliable power on the island. That's a problem in many parts of Vanuatu and dare I say throughout the Pacific. I was involved with a company investigating geothermal power for Efete Island (power for Port Vila then, and I suspect still, is diesel gensets !). Slow going due to .. ah .. relationship between certain energy minister and the local power supply company. Have since left and I believe things are still progressing.

BTW - no doubt many of the island performers perform to keep cultural traditions alive, but the westerner in me says that I hope they all get paid or renumerated adequately. I have no idea what 'adequately' would mean, but did you get any idea of the arrangements between the cruise and the communities?

ps I have a week in Myanmar in early December Will try to post trip report before you go. Two days in Yangon, then private car up to Bagan and Mandalay for 5 days.

 

[drron]

Thanks rooflyer.I also felt that the visit to Tanna was something special especially with the show nature put on.

As to the performers I spoke to some of the elders at every stop we made.Always tried to talk to one of the village organisers.I have no doubt that for our visits they were paid what they considered adequate amounts.Twice in PNG and once in the Solomons was told that they were paid more by Silverseas than previous visits by cruise ships.But that may be because Silverseas negotiated direct with the village and others went through an agency.They may in fact have paid more but most of it creamed off the top with less getting to the villagers.
It was a constant theme in PNG of the corruption of local politicians.But as one put it they will all come and promise you they will look after you but then they get elected.You can elect someone else the next time but the result is always the same.
I related the story of the old fellow in the Solomons that was a custom agent when the Solomons was a British Protectorate.Well trained being sent to Australia,NZ and Japan for more experience.One year after Independence he was forced to retire.Replaced by fellows related to politicians.

I do feel genuinely that small number tourism is good for the locals but mass tourism ends up destroying the culture.We have friends on the Silver Discoverer now and they reported that at Alotau island the performance was lacklustre and done by very few.Walked past a travel agency here in TSV and there was a poster advertising P&O PNG cruises.So 2000 pax ships visit Alotau.I feel it may be cause and effect.I believe there is also an AFFer on board.

Looking forward to a heads up re Myanmar.For 2016 we have booked back to back cruises in the Baltic.Your reports re St.Petersburg convinced us to go.We will end up with 3 day visits on both cruises.Thought it would be better to break it up then relax until we got back.