LAST WHOLE DAY IN FIJI

April 15, 2011

The trip is winding down as today was our last full day on the island.  We debated whether we would partake of today’s scheduled activity, a visit to Kula Eco Park and decided that since we came all this way AND had the next 3 days for some serious R &R we’d go…and a wonderful trip it was.  The Eco Park is privately owned and operated and is a nice collection of rainforest flora and fauna.  Spent the morning  trekking up and down the stairs thru the rainforest while our excellent owner/guide shared information on the native trees and how they were used by the Fijians for medicinal purposes, for crafts and tools.  The EcoPark is also a bird sanctuary for many endangered species, which they are breeding, and for non native birds that make their way to the island and would be threatened by the natural species.  The Eco Park also is an important area for the breeding and release of hawk nose sea turtles and both crested and banded iguanas, all of which are endangered.

The parks highlight (for me anyway) was the back to back aquariums.  The one was a daytime, coral reef, while the other was a nighttime, coastal shore and tide pool.  The 2 complemented each other with the water from the two being filtered back and forth to provide the right amount of nutrient and waste removal from the waters.  Very fascinating and beautiful.

While on the tour we had a chance to speak with our Indian guide about the interactions of the basically 50% Fijian and 50% Indian populations.  He said they very much keep to themselves having very different work ethics and values.  While one is a “live for today” life style, the other plans and builds for the future. 

Returning to the hotel for a free afternoon we took turns exploring and doing laundry.  Some drudgery just never goes away.  Clean and spruced up we headed to the Golden Cowrie for our farewell dinner and debriefing.(sounds kind of like a secret mission, huh?)

Had a wonderful dinner with old and new friends as Andrea shared her thoughts and perspectives on the trip.   Each traveler took a turn identifying the highlights…downside…or aha moment.  It was most interesting to hear what everyone had to say.  Lots of different ideas but all were moist positive.

Leaving now for our min icruise.  No email or phone.  See ya!