Feb 7, 2026.
We are thoroughly enjoying our time in Nadi, Fiji. Lounging around this gorgeous swimming pool with ocean view, 
random sounds of music and drums; warm weather sunsets, pathways and pool area lighted with Tiki fires, creating a memory maker. This morning, Debby and I were on our second floor veranda, having coffee as the wind blew and the rain fell. It was gorgeous to watch, even though it was dark.
Yesterday we loaded up a van with driver for a look-see around Nadi. We stopped in for a brief shopping fun at a local Farmer’s Market. I was impressed with the huge display of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. Some of the veggies were new to me but I remember tasting the Taro Root vegetable. Anyway, I ate some a few years ago during my first Fiji visit.
There were also many craft items one could purchase. We got a few things we really needed like trinkets and doo dads. You can’t have too many of those things, you know.
Back in the van, we ventured out near the Sabeto Mountain Range for a look at Fiji’s, Garden of the Sleeping Giant, a 49 acre Botanical Garden near the base of the sleeping Giant. Note: The Sleeping Giant is actually a mountain, not Big Foot, Sasquatch, Yeti, or the likes. It is, in fact, a part of the range that resembles a giant sleeping head. It was a property once owned and created by American actor, Raymond Burr, aka, Perry Mason. Mr. Burr loved Fiji so much that he pretty much lived here. He bought a 4,000 acre island also. He imported many varieties of plants, trees and flowers, and over 2,000 varieties of Orchids, his favorite flower. He created cultivated varieties, one he named the Barbara Hale Orchid.
We walked along a fabric covered pathway, past amazing plants and flowers with our staff member Guide able to recite not only its name, but its history and its native country of origin. She was amazing! We would say “What’s that small bush?’ “That’s a ______ Palm. It is believed that its the oldest of the palms. It came from _____”.
“what kind of tree is that one?” “Those 3 trees are Mahogany trees from the Philippines that Mr Burr imported and planted himself”. (These 3 trees were very tall and probably 15” in diameter). Anyway, she would go on and on about any plant we asked her about. Amazing knowledge!
After the covered walkway ended, we continued our walk back into the forest where gardeners cared for every plant back there. The path ended in a small clearing with picnic tables and a gazebo a little ways up a hill where special events occur, like weddings. It was a beautiful setting near a small pond with a bridge over a stream. Lily pads and small fish made this a peaceful and tranquil place to sit and think.
Afterwards, we drove to the top of one of the mountains to a property owned by Rosie’s Travel. The dirt road to the property was ill-kept, rough and rocky, evidence of previous rains that washes away the loose dirt. The view was awesome, and the landscaping, of course, what’s perfectly manicured. After taking many pictures, we were given dishes of varieties of tropical fruit and coconut. We sat around a long picnic table under the canopy. It was a good thing, too, because the rain and wind came just before we loaded the van. It lasted only a minute or two and then was gone.
From there, we visited a Fijian village for a guided tour. The women in our group were given a piece of cloth to wrap around their legs that looked like a dress, which is the Fiji and custom. This article of clothing is called a Sulu. The older matriarch of the village, who gave us the tour, explained many of their customs and showed us their church. I believe she said there were about 300 people who lived in the village. We took pictures of their community center and inside the church, as well. The Fijian’s were former cannibals. Is was interesting to hear that mentioned several times today! We even saw a replica of a stacked rock oven that was used by the cannibals back in the 1800s. Today, the Fijian’s are a religious people with Christianity making up about 73% of the population.
Today, Eric and I hired a taxi and driver for 3 hours to go downtown Nadi, for som shopping and lunch. It was great! I invited our taxi driver to dine with us and offered to buy him lunch. He graciously accepted, but only ordered a dish of ice cream. Eric and I enjoyed a vegetable dish with prawns and white rice. It was very tasty! When the food arrived at our table, I offered the blessing. Our driver said that was the first time he had ever heard a tourist pray. He was impressed and told me that he was an elder in his church and ask about my religion. I told him that I had been an elder in our church for 23 years. He was impressed.
While Eric and I were downtown, Debby lounged around the pool while the Pinkerton’s took a tour into another Fijian village for a jet boat ride and a Kava ceremony where Mike Pinkerton was Chief of his visiting tribe. A good time was had by all. Afterward, we all enjoyed swimming and lounging around the pool and listening to live Fijian men groups strumming guitars and singing American songs enthusiastically loud and off key. Priceless.
Our condo complex is the Club Wyndham, same place Debby and I and Nancy and Ron stayed several years ago. Back then it was called Worldmark Resort. Now, 20 years later the vegetation is full and the palm trees are mature, reaching to the sky. The grounds are manicured and well tendered. There are several more buildings and lots of remodels. For some reason, there is no beach. At the ocean’s edge is a burn of stacked rocks all across the property. Twenty years ago there was a beach of several feet. I need to look for old photos when I get back home. I’m curious.
The swimming pool is still their calling card. This place boasts the longest swimming pool in the Southern Hemisphere. As this is the warm season, it is well use and enjoyed by all. The giant hot tub is a kid magnet. I’m not sure I want to use the same water as a bunch of little kids! Know what I mean?
Our second floor condo has an amazing view. The garden is amazing. There is running water next to the boardwalk. We ate our meals at the large table overlooking all this. No sooner did we finish eating and go back inside, Mina birds would drop down and pick up the pieces and carry off the crumbs. One day we left the sliding patio door open. I came into the living room and found 3 Mina birds in our house! They simply tuned and walked back outside when they saw me. Funny.
Debby, Eric and I were in the 3 bedroom unit on the second floor. We also rented a two bedroom unit for the Pinkerton’s, on the ground floor. Sandra had broken her foot a few weeks ago and was using a knee scooter to get around. There are no steps to contend with on the ground floor units. Although we are staying only four days, we had to rent these condos for a whole week. What a waste! Not only that, but we only used two of our three-bed unit, plus there was a full sized Murphy bed in the Living room. There was also a Murphy bed in the Pinkerton’s unit, unused. Did anyone want to come with us??
Fiji. It’s very nice! The people are poor but no one could express more contentment and happiness than a Fijian. They are laid back, taking life easy and appreciating what God gives them .
On Sunday, the same day we left for Singapore, we attended Fiji Church of Christ for morning worship. Their main building location is being renovated and so they were meeting in a tent out near the airport. It was a huge tent with windows and glass entry doors. The chairs were covered and were not uncomfortable. Their worship service was accompanied by a guitar and bongos. Most of the singing was Acappela. The preacher, a young man named Matt, hailed from Australia about 8 years ago and settled down in Nadi. He married a part-Fijian girl. He was a fine preacher, too! They were the most friendly people we have ever encountered . Many of them filed pastour back row and shook our hands. It was one of those congregations one would be happy to be a part of. I’m so glad we went!
Now we are cruise ready!
