DAY 49 DAY 37 SERENITY

WELCOME TO LAUTOKA,  FIJI

BREAKING NEWS

We welcome our fifth grandchild to the family with the birth of Savanah Ruth Steiner.  Savannah is the third child for our son Eric and daughter-in-law Kara and sister to Jackson  and Preston.  Very exciting news indeed.

Thankfully because of  internet Keith did a video call with Eric, Kara  and  Savanah six hours after  her birth  and  the two of us  did a second  one less  than seven hours later.

Here she is.

We enjoyed a pre-dinner drink at the Avenue Saloon.  They had  Music  Trivia hosted by World  Cruise Hostess  Stacey Huston and  Pianist  Richard Pucci.  We didn't  play officially but we  tried to answer  each question.  

Bartender Marvin took  great care of us.

Dinner menus from Waterside from last evening.

We dined at Umi Uma for the first time of this voyage.

Waiter Richie and Sommelier Jay took wonderful care of us.

Food was delicious. Service was fantastic.

​We had sushi and sashimi and for entrees salad  with scallops for Anne Marie and Soba Noodles, broth with scallops for Keith.

The featured entertainment was two performances by Piano Showman Chris Hamilton.

As we were sleeping Serenity sailed towards our next port-of-call of Lautoka, Fiji

The good  news is we moved the clocks back one hour to get on the local time zone for Fiji.

We began with a workout for Keith, followed by Breakfast.  We both walked and got ready for arrival to Lautoka, Fiji.

At 8:00 AM Captain Birger spoke from the  bridge to say we  were  in a holding pattern.  When  the pilot arrive some members of the Health Ministry came abroad for a medical inspection.  The  Captain  noted as soon as this  was completed we would sail to the port at  18 knots which should get us there within ninety minutes.

Captain Birger spoke again at 9:00 AM with great news we were  cleared to go to Fiji.  The only requirement was for guests  who boarded  in Tahiti  to proceed to the Galaxy Showroom to sign a Health Form.  Guests were called by Deck number to keep things orderly.
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​This is our fourth visit to this island.

Lautoka is the second largest city of Fiji.  It is in the west of the island of Viti Levu.  It is in the heart  of Lying in the heart of Fiji's sugar cane region.  and is known as the Sugar City.  These fields are relatively close to the port  city.

The overall population of the city and neighboring area is 45,000 people.  

​Major highlights include:

​Central Market which caters to farmers and growers.  The markets floor areas is close to 200,000 feet and they sell fresh and local and imported  fruits, spices and crops are available.

Botanical Gardens featuring groves of palm trees, shrubs and flower beds.

Sugar Mill which is the biggest employer of this port city.   This is a big mill and is the largest sugar mill in the Southern Hemisphere.

Koroyanitu National Heritage Park which includes six village within the park that support conservation. The park features walking trails for visitors to birdwatch, and visit archaeological sites and view waterfalls.

Vuda Point Marina for those wishing to view and explore Mamanuca and Yasawa islands.

Garden of the Sleeping Giant which opened in 1977 and has a vast  array of orchid collections covering 49 acres.  

We enjoyed the rest of the day on-board Serenity  including lunch at Marketplace, Paddle Tennis for Keith and a long walk for Anne Marie.

This is the daily Reflections Program.

Cheers,

Keith