We visited the local ecopark-a rainforest/environmental project. We were greeted with a snake and iguanas to hold.The iguana got wrapped up in Sandy's hair- I was trying to take a photograph and she kept wriggling and screaming-how is a photographer supposed to operate in such conditions! We explored the forest on a fantastic tree top walk and saw many exotic birds. We learnt about the various trees and plants and their many usages. We found the plant that produces the ingredients for viagra- no wonder the Fijians look so happy and laid back! The centre does a wonderful job in educating their own children as well as helping endangered species. We decided to sponsor a local school so they could come to the centre to see for themselves.(hopefully they will be in touch with Oare School and may be a lasting link can be set up }

In the evening we went to a crab race in Fijian style- they raced hermit crabs. One crab won- which one it was and how they knew is beyond me- it was like watching a Monty Python sketch,but made all the more surreal as everyone was taking it seriously.

One evening we experienced fine dining Fijian style in their Ivi Restaurant.An amazing night- with about 50 waiters seeing to our every need.Brian nearly lost it completely as he watched 2 French guys being served- the waiter asked if they would like a little pepper and approached them with a bazooka sized contraption that need immense skill to control- the waiter being some way from the table and in danger to doing himself and fellow guests agreat mischief! Sandy told Brian he could remain if he behaved himself-not an easy request to obey! Sandy also struggled to stay in control, so I felt somewhat vindicated for my outburst. Brian's starter(Caesar salad) arrived with all the ingredients on a wooden trolley and the waiter proceeded to make it to Brian's specification- it was an art form. It did not seem right to eat it in the end. When the waiters were not serving tables they joined the guitarist to seranded us-and seemed to be singing completely unrelated tunes although sometimes the words did match.It was completely hysterical but you could not help but like it! Then came Sandy's pudding! She ordered tropical fruits flambed-again another trolley complete with ingredients-he displayed them for Sandy's approval,then cut and prepared them in front of our eyes. He cut the peel of an orange with a large knife,creating a spiral which he then set alight with vodka and cointreau which he had poured into wee dishes- then the whole dish sizzled in a frying pan and continued to flame- the most amusing food experience we have ever had-by the way it tasted delicious! Homemade biscuits appeared with our coffee and a beautiful chocolate to complete a surreal experience( we smuggled them out in our camera case).All this for less than 60 pounds in tota!1