Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's
In the weekends we had a large variety of ways to fill the time in. There was a small island called Nukalou, about twenty to thirty minutes away by barge.
This was so popular that sometimes it took two barges to get everybody over to the island.
This was unusual as most of the barges we used didn’t have the cabin, less chance of hitting a propeller when working around the aircraft.
We had good friendly company to help us spend the time.
And a good coral sand beach with a jetty so we could get ashore irrespective of the tide.
And a nice beach for water sports.
Then after the swim you have to wash the salt off. The water is rain water and stored below ground making it quite cool compared to the air temperature.
Then if you were thirsty, a quick climb could get you a coconut.
As you can see the fresh coconuts are waterproof. They float between the islands, wash up onto a shore, germinate and start a new plantation, naturally.
After putting on some sandals/sandshoes a walk over the coral reef was always interesting, finding all sorts of life.
Sometimes we would find a yellow and black banded sea snake. These weren’t poisonous in their breeding season, but we didn’t know when that was, so we left them alone.
A slow stroll around the sea shore will take you to where you find how the locals caught their fish.
The little blobs just above the water are an arc of stones set on the beach bottom. At high tide they are well covered and the fish swim in. At low tide the area is a sandy beach.
The locals go for a walk, decide which fish they will invite for tea, and leave the rest. There will be a new selection next low tide.
They also hollow out tree trunks. This one is intended to be paddle powered to the mainland.
Some, not much bigger have a big outboard motor attached to the back, and used to travel from Island to Island, usually well over the horizon.
Usually a couple of weeks after they had set out and not returned, we would get a frantic phone call that they had gone missing.
We would fly a Sunderland in a search pattern for a couple of days, depending where the Navigator thought the wind and tide might have taken the canoe.
Then we would get another phone call, don’t worry about them, they changed their minds and went the opposite direction.
Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's - part 1
Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's - part 2
Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's - part 3
Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's - part 4
Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's - part 5
Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's - part 6
Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's - part 7
Adventures in Fiji in the 1959 to 60's - part 8
This post has been ranked within the top 80 most undervalued posts in the first half of May 13. We estimate that this post is undervalued by $8.62 as compared to a scenario in which every voter had an equal say.
See the full rankings and details in The Daily Tribune: May 13 - Part I. You can also read about some of our methodology, data analysis and technical details in our initial post.
If you are the author and would prefer not to receive these comments, simply reply "Stop" to this comment.
Thanks for your comment, it is heartening to read.
Cool old vibe coming from the photos :) I spend two weeks in Fiji when I was a little kid, but I barely remember anything. The only thing I remember is that we had to dip a fish in blue paint and then paint with the fish, that was still alive, on a t-shirt. Cruel! I would never do that again. I hate blue.
The good old days, when we were handsom and the girls were willing.
Haha yes :)
That sounds like a man who has been there.