Sunday 22 February 2015

Chaos and Tranquility

Got the public bus into Nadi town today to experience a bit of 'normal' Fijian life. But not before a hearty breakfast of eggs, toast, several pancakes, fresh watermelon and pineapple and a bowl of yogurt. The bus ride was actually quite fun, packed in on the bouncy ride. The windscreen was cracked, the gears were crunchy the heat overwhelming and loud music blared from crackling speakers.


The high street was a mix of hustle and bustle and quiet calm. The shops ranged from silent air conditioned department stores selling designer clothes to sweaty crowded ones selling imitation designer goods. All of them had an unbelievable amount of sales assistants to greet you, help you shop and enquire how you day was going.


After locating the surfboard hire shop, to find out about the possibilities of catching a Fijian wave, we continued on to the local fruit and veg market. There was no sign of any other tourists about, but we had no hassle as we walked amongst the rows and rows of (often unidentifiable) fruit and veg. There was also a fish market, but we didn't linger in there!





A tactical stop for iced coffee at an air-con cafĂ© kept the heat at bay and thus, our bodies functioning. Inside it was cool and quiet. We took a seat by the window and watched people going past in the heat and noise of the main street, like we were sat in a different world. Afterwards, we took another bus to the marina where there were beautiful golf courses, big hotels and a 'western style' shopping area with international brands. To cool down from the bus ride, we got a coconut drink. The guy took it from a fridge, then casually as much as skillfully, hacked the top off with a machete and served it with a straw! Very cool! Later we  even came across the 'Hard Rock Cafe' were we got a snack to help us get home, back to the cool and tranquility of our guest house.




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