Tag 60: Lautoka, Fiji - Center of Sugarcane

Lautoka is the third largest city in the Republic of Fiji and is located on the 10,429 square kilometer main island of Viti Levu. Together with the second largest island of Vanua Levu, the two islands make up about 90 percent of the country's land area, although there are still 330 other islands in the Fiji archipelago. Approximately 52,700 people live in Lautoka, of which about 57 percent are members of the indigenous Fijian population and a large proportion are Indians. In addition, there are minorities such as Rotuman people (residents of Rotuma Island), Europeans and Chinese. Lautoka is known as "the sugar city" because it is surrounded by huge sugarcane fields and is home to one of the largest sugar refineries in the southern hemisphere.

When we leave the ship, we are stopped by Vilnes, who suggests taking us to a beautiful beach. The drive is said to cost $20 per person. However, when we arrive, we realize that the beach is too shallow for swimming. The water depth is about 30 cm over several hundred meters. However, a better beach is about 50 km away, which means additional costs of ten US dollars per person. We agree to go. On the way, we make a short detour to the international airport to take a souvenir photo of us in Fiji in front of a beautiful advertisement. When we arrive at our destination, we find ourselves in a beautiful hotel complex with a beach section, seating areas, shade, and a good menu. There, we swim, eat, have a drink, and spend a good 2 hours. When our driver asks what else we want to see, we decide to visit the Buddhist temple near Nadi. He also wants to show us the Denerau Resort, a collection of luxury hotels with an integrated golf course and marina. We walk through the Sheraton Hotel and admire the beach, pool area, entrance hall, and various shops. It's a nice place to stay and probably every wish will be fulfilled. To visit the temple, we have to pay ten Fijian dollars entrance fee per person and five Fijian dollars rental fee for a long wrap-around garment to gain entry. Both will be covered by the driver. In Nadi, we get caught in a traffic jam, but we manage to return to the ship without any problems or surprises. Upon arrival at the port, Vilnes now actually wants to charge $300 for a total of 6 hours of driving. We pay 4 x $50 USD plus the costs incurred. While we convert these from Fijian dollars to US dollars and distribute them per person, he gives up, sits in his trunk, and waits. He probably would have accepted any result. In the end, he thanks us and wishes everyone a "Merry Christmas" with a handshake. Both sides are satisfied. Just in time for Christmas Eve.