Nadi 11:11pm 22°C Calm

Vuda Point.

Happy Birthday to Ralph, keeping the kiwi contingent alive and well in Turkey town. The big three three has come. Hope you had a good one man. I saluted a cool Fiji Gold in your honour. Cheers fella.

Nadi 10:00pm 22°C Cool

Today saw The Flying Fijians take on Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup in Lautoka. The game saw the lead change once with Japan taking a storming early advantage in the first half leading 15 - 6. The pep talk in the Fiji shed saw the boys muster the courage and energy to go over the line four times in the second half and take a commanding 30 - 15 win at full time. To take in the achievement, we thought it necessary to celebrate with a few jugs at the local sports club and enjoy the afternoon on the sprawling lawn under the warm and diluting light of the sun. Well done to the Fiji boys and all the best to the Fiji Seven's team as they try to keep the Cup over in London and Scotland.

Nadi 7:26pm 25°C Clear

Fiji Islands 5:12pm 28°C Sunny

The days have become dry, the skies are blue and cloudless, the nights are cool, clear and refreshing. The sun has invigorated me somewhat. Long gone are the dreary grey days with persistent precipitants always on the verge. The wet season has gone and now we sink deep into the moisture lessness. Fabulicious!

Nadi 9:27pm 23°C Clear

An early afternoon trek into the jungle, saw a bunch of us in search of yet another elusive waterfall. Thanks to Sebastian and Demetre doing the hard yards first, scouting this one by air and by ground. A pleasant stream opening out onto a 150m cliff face, with the water ejecting itself downwards to the valley below. A spectacular site, with the Highlands sprawling out beyond the precipice. Magic!

And, huge hugs to my Mum. Happy Mother's Day!

Nadi 6:25pm 27°C Clear

Having one of those moments after a long day of toiling with work. The busyness tightens you up and all you need is to sit in a room to unwind the tort spring in your head. I've found the solution. Make your way to your favourite music source provider, look up the new Groove Armada album 'Loveboy Rock', insert aforementioned composition into your preferred tone generating device, sling your audiophile, warm, bass enhanced earphones over your head, fast forward to track number 13 and press play. Ohhhhhhhhhh, slump down into an unexpected slouch, and ooze the tension out through your toes as they tap to the slow and melodic rhythm that exhales from the coils over your ears.

Well it works for me. I'm not one to promote music as it's a very personal thing and often one persons suggestion is another persons uncomfort. This album has captured me and it finds me in any mood. I thank those who bring such warmth to my lobes.

Best wishes to Megan who flies out today on her first visit to the European shores. Take care and look after yourself boo.

Nadi 6:57pm 27°C Dark but warm!

Washing away the grit for another day.

Nadi 4:34pm 31°C Cloudy

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