SUVA, FIJI AND ORCHID ISLAND

Suva was declared the capital of Fiji in 1877 and is located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti Levu.  The shore excursion for today was arranged by a fellow Cruise Critic, Beth Naigle.  The original plan was for the group to meet on the ship at The Tavern at 8:15am and go off the ship together at 8:30am.  Unfortunately the ship arrival and immigration clearing was late so our group did not walk off the ship until 9:00am. 

Moana Tours proved easy to spot with their bright blue Hawaiian flowered shirts and friendly welcoming smiles.

Moana Tours Staff

Moana Tours had a canopy set up for check in and payment.  I found this a little tedious and felt we could have paid online before arrival but nonetheless, by 9:30am everyone had checked in, paid and boarded the bus.  We were ready to depart with our sights set on Orchid Island.  But first a short photo stop at Government House and Gardens.  Originally erected in 1882, it was rebuilt following its destruction by lightning in 1921. The Palace was rebuilt in 1928 and is now the residence of the current president of Fiji, Major-GeneralGeorge Konrote. It is also known as the Presidential Palace. 

Entrance to Presidential Palace

Palace Guard

Next we were off to Suva City Council Park at the corner of Muanikau Road and Queen Elizabeth Road.   This would be another short stop of about 15 minutes. 

Suva City Council Park

Suva City Council Park

Found a wi-fi free zone at the park

It cost to use the toilets at the park

Art at the park

Plant at the park

Now it was off to Orchid Island Cultural Center.   Located about a 20 minute drive from Suva, as our bus turned into the entrance I was wondering if I was going to get off the bus. The graveled road was extremely muddy from the rains. Our bus backed into our parking spot and we stepped off onto planks that had been placed down for walking. 

Coming into Orchard Island

First we headed into the Chief's house. Here we met traditionally dressed Fijian young men and the story was told on the history of the house.

Chief's House

From here we walked the grounds, led by a local guide or a family member. It was on this walk that we were taught the history of Fiji, viewed turtles, saw various plants and even spotted a snake.

Weapon

Covered path

Covered path

Turtles

After the walk we were escorted into an open air building where lunch was going to be provided. It had a tin roof with open sides and a large newly constructed platform in the front for the entertainers. There were plenty of chairs for seating but no tables.

Open air pavillion for show and lunch

The first performers were 5 Fijian men from the Conservatory of Music that performed traditional war dances and finished with fire dancing.

Dancers from Conservatory of Music

Fire dancer Photo by Orchid Island

Next came the fire walking ceremony followed by both the men and women dancing.  

Preparation for Fire Walkers

This was followed by the serving of a traditional Fijian lunch consisting of fern, taro root, pineapple, watermelon, lettuce, fish, and chicken drumsticks. The chicken and the fish had been cooked that morning in the ground and it was these rocks and coals that the fire walkers used for their performance. Drink consisted of water only. Finally a farewell song was performed by the men and woman.

Traditional Fijian Lunch

I had the pleasure of meeting both Shahid and Naisha, owners of Moana Tours and Orchid Island. Both have a great passion to restore Orchid Island after the devastation caused by Cyclone Winston, the most intense tropical cyclone on record in the Southern Hemisphere.

Naisha in blue standing next to me

The day of our visit represented the first day Orchid Island opened for business after Cyclone Winston ripped through the islands in February, 2016.  Shahid and Naisha are working hard to restore Orchid Island. All in all this was a great cultural experience and I would certainly do it again.