Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji - 2013

Twice in 2013 Sam and I found ourselves in Suva, Fiji. Suva isn't a place that springs to mind when you think of a Fijian holiday, the city is a bit big and sprawling, its definitely not what you would normally consider a tropical paradise. Having said that though there is a bit to do if your there for a day or two, any longer I'd seriously think of hiring a car and getting out of town.

Pulling into Suva early in the morning.

Our first visit for the year was in early January and the humidity was fairly extreme, luckily for us we we were heading to Colo-I-Suva Forest Park (that really rolls off the tongue). The park has a series of walks to various waterfalls and swimming spots. Leaving the air conditioning of our ship it was a shock to the system to jump onto an old school bus, the only air-conditioning on that was the open windows, needless to say we were quite happy when we stated to move and we got a bit of a breeze through the windows. After a hot and sweaty 30 minute drive through the outskirts of Suva we pulled into the park. We did a 3 kilometre walk down to the Lower Pools which was a great spot for a cooling swim, with a small cascade into a deep pool complete with a rope swing.

Colo-i-Suva Forest Park.

The Lower Pools.

Plenty of native flora to be seen.

On our first visit it was bloody hot, here our guide relaxes in the shade of our school bus.

Finishing up at the Lower Pools we climbed up the dirt road to meet our school bus for a ride to Raintree Lodge where we were given a performance by some native dancers as well as a nice lunch. Back on our bus we headed back into town getting the driver to drop us off in the centre of Suva's CBD where we checked out the numerous shops and markets. Suva is the largest city in the South Pacific so Sam had plenty to keep her amused for a few hours. Late afternoon we made our way back to the ship for the sail away, the clouds hanging heavy in the sky.

Raintree Lodge.

We had a light lunch and watched a cultural performance.

Heading back into Suva.

The Suva market which is near the wharf.

It was a bit hot and sticky in January.

Off into the sunset on our first visit.

Our next visit to Suva was in October of 2013, we were on our way back from Hawaii. Once again we had a day to look around, and this time we decided to do the walking tour out of Lonely Planets Fiji guide. The main thing that I remember from the walk was walking  past Albert Park and witnessing the local school girls practising their marching skills, supervised by what looked like military people. A little further on up hill we passed the Kingsford Smith Pavilion, which was named after Charles Kingsford Smith the famous Australian aviator who landed here on one of his early flights. Finishing the 3.5 kilometre walk back in the CBD we spent the rest of the day once again checking out the shops, I was on a mission to buy a locally made Hawaiian style shirt in each port on the cruise, something that was harder than you may think. Returning to the ship we settled in for the sail away, the weather being a lot better in October than it had been in January.

Watching the school girls practise their marching in Albert Park, Suva.

Looking up the far canal towards the centre of Suva.

The police band played as we sailed away, I remember this from when I was here in the 1970's.

The Dirt.
Suva has a population of just under 200,000 people so its a reasonably large city with all the usual issues that bring. There is a wide variety of shops that would satisfy most needs but its a commercial centre not a tourist spot so expect a few rough edges. Colo-I-Suva Forest Park is worth at least half a day, there are enough walking tracks and swimming spots to keep you amused for awhile. The park is out of town however so you need to organise transport, we went on a bus but if you have a car you could drive or even take a taxi as its not that far. Check on the security situation before going as there has been issues over the years. You can stay at Raintree Lodge if your in Suva, however we just went for lunch and to see the cultural show. Both our visits to Suva were with Princess Cruises, they seem to provide a good value for money cruise and we prefer them.

The Port of Suva.

Sailing out of Suva Harbour.

Another hard day of cruising comes to an end.