Friday saw us jump in the Hilux and head to for the Kings Highway. The alternative method of getting from Nadi to Suva. The long way. Heading through Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, stopping to take in the sights of the coral rich coast of the north. The sun reflecting the distinctive aqua colours from the white sandy ocean floor. Rounding the northern tip at Rakiraki, the road dips down into the jungle after briefly skirting the left bank of Viti Levu Bay. The tar seal quickly turns to mud and potholes. Villages springing up around almost every corner, some tucked deep into the lush over growth. The hills are steep and the rivers run full. The weather was sympathetic and refrained from pelting us with liquid bomblets. The jungle stunning and green. Emerging in the south to land that resembled a lot of New Zealand. Farm fencing, animals and lush grass covering the paddocks. This was dairy country. The smells confirmed it!

Soon we hit civilisation again in the northern reaches of Nausori. Something of a cross between a typical suburb of a typical city with typical city like attributes and the shanty towns of third world countries. Tin roofed shacks with tin walls, no doors or windows, the mud staining the lower edge of the foundations from the commonly consistent rain. The faces tell a story of contentment, like mostly all I've seen in Fiji. The dark faces lightened by big toothy grins and young opened palms waving frantically with the gesture of hello and welcome.

Hitting Suva, for the first time being here, I feel like I could be in almost any capital. The hustle and bustle, the towering buildings cramping gridlocked roads, the smell of coffee and cafes, the belching soot from buses and trucks. The atmosphere not as friendly, people in a purposeful rush and in their own little world. A 'city' all be it a little smaller. I liked it, couldn't live there, but I liked it. Worth another visit some other day.

Suva 3:19pm 27°C Cloudy