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Bula! I'm feeling nice and relaxed, although as usual I've packed in a lot. I don't seem to have the ability to just stay still for 12 hours, although maybe that will change once I'm on the smaller islands. After I loaded up on carbs at breakfast (planning to be so full that I wouldn't need to buy lunch), I headed down to the pool area for a couple of hours, where I deposited myself on a sun lounger and got lost in my book. Just prior to my poolside visit, I had gone and booked an afternoon tour at the hotel tour desk, as I decided I wanted to see some of the Fiji mainland before setting off tomorrow to those idyllic islands that are always captured so well in images within holiday brochures. By the time my bum was getting numb on the sun lounger, it was time to meet my tour guide at the front of the hotel. There was only myself and a mother and her daughter (from Sydney also) on the trip, and we were in a 5 seater 4WD. so it was a very personal tour, led by our native Indo-Fijian guide. First stop was a lookout at the owner of the tour company's house. The views were certainly panoramic and a couple of the Mamanuca islands were visible in the distance. We tried some fresh home grown fruits - watermelon, banana, coconut, pineapple and papaya and then climbed back into the 4WD to head for Viseisei village - the oldest settlement in Fiji. We were greeted by the friendly villagers and had an opportunity to purchase handcrafted items in their market. Most buildings in the village are constructed of modern but basic materials, but in the centre we saw a ceremonial Bure (fully thatched), which is used by the village chief. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles have also both been received there. Our final visit was to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant - an orchid garden with lots of varied species. On return to the hotel, I wandered to the supermarket to stock up on supplies for my remote islands trip and then bought a beautiful sarong at one of the hotel shops. The shop assistant kindly showed me several ways to wear it. Excited about my island escape tomorrow! xx
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