Hello, Taveuni

Friday July 30.

My flight from Nadi to Taveuni was smooth despite the small size of the prop plane and a bit of storm clouds past Suva. In just about an hour and a half (occupied with reading "A Spot of Bother" by Mark Haddon) I arrived at Matei airport, an informal affair crowded only with people waiting to board our plane and head back to Nadi.

My first impression was of being on Moloka'i, only about say 50 years ago, and in fact many people from Hawaii say that Taveuni, and in some ways Fiji generally, is much like Hawaii was years ago.

Feet on the tarmac, I was greeted by humid breezes, the sky cleared of dark clouds from the week's storm, and a week of adventure ahead of me.

Once through the cages we waited, pointed out our luggage, and soon were met by Nand of Nand Taxis. After taking us on a quick tour of Matei and its offerings (a few shops, Audrey's bakery and the main restaurants), Nand took us up to my temporary new abode: Makaira by the Sea, run by Roberta Davis and John Llanes from Hawaii.

TBC ...