Fiji to Brisbane and more Brisbane, July-Sept

The flowers at the Suva markets are something, and nothing better than to be framed by flowers






Duruka, Fiji's asparagus, has won me over, especially since any asparagus that is imported is generally well past its use by date, don't know how I'll manage to live in Brisbane without duruka. Its cooked in coconut milk, with chilli and onion, as is every other vegetable here, but that's the local product. You can buy it ready prepared at the market which is the optimum choice.









The grandkids on the beach at Denarau on our last night in Fiji









Back to Brisbane and a new property, it looks great but that path is a danger when its wet and has to go. The garden is great and will be better when I get rid of all the pest plants, The house has a self contained flat for me, great when I want to pack up and travel and Jan and Dave live upstairs, can recommend their Poinciana Cafe
All was going well, I'd painted my area a shade of white, and then disaster struck, went to have some renovations done and found live termites, still trying to sort out that battle, as they should have been found when the inspection was done.





Had a quick visit to the West End fair, to take my mind off all the problems, and decided I didn't need to use this knitted loo.






Lucky I'm catching up on the year past and will be travelling south in my next blog.

Around Fiji July 2010

A Blue Lagoon cruise was one of the better ways to see lots of little islands in the Yasawas, I wished we had done 7 nights instead of 3, It was great having the family with me, the weather was good and that blue of the water is really something. I have never wanted to be on a big cruise ship but this was different.












All the rest of the family were kayaking so I decided to have a go, even went through the open area in the middle of the boat, it must be at least 50 years since I last used oars.












After the cruise we went the Kings Road to Rakiraki and off to another island, unfortunately Carlo got sick and we had to leave,it was good that we did as the next day four of us were sick. It was easier to recuperate in our bed at home. On the way home most of the road was good until we hit the roadworks, Lucky Chris has a 4WD. I'm pleased I've driven right around Viti Levu.















Can I go anywhere and not stop for a waterfall, had to walk back through the muddy road but it was worth it. This is small for some of the waterfalls here in Fiji
















Every good thing has to come to an end, Laurice and girls had to return to New York and I went back to Brisbane to settle in to our new house.

Back to Brisbane then to Fiji, July 2010

As a Special Birthday treat Laurice, Nina Camille and I came back to Brisbane for a few days, lucky our new house had settled and we had enough space for everyone, then we went to Sydney for Laurice to see some friends and finally were off to Fiji to meet Chris Alex and the boys, We had a couple of nights at the Sofitel at Denarau, walked down to the Hilton to have a swim in their pool and caught the Bula Bus to Denarau for dinner. The bus and the Indian food were experiences not to be missed.















We moved on to the Intercontinental at Natadola beach, it was lovely to see the white sand














At low tide its possible to walk across to an island and that was my favourite activity, exploring around the rock pools and looking at the windswept rock formations, If you look closely into the pool you should see some bright blue fish, there were blue star fish and sea cucumbers galore, Our rooms were right beside the childrens pool and its a great place even for adults.



























The buffet breakfast had so many choices, even for vegetarians. It was great having most of my grandchildren together. The kids and Laurice had surfboard lessons and I found some great shells.





And then we moved on to another exciting Fiji experience,

New York again

I made a surprise visit to New York for Laurices special birthday, the girls and I had planned it and Laurice was expecting a quiet night when I walked in, the night before her birthday. We went out to dinner the next night and Laurice thought that was her birthday, but we had a surprise party on the Saturday night. I was only in New York for 3 weeks so had a lot to pack into a little while. Can't not make time for a visit to Mood the fantastic material shop on 37th and my favourite trim shop, Pacific Trim on 38th, the weekly poetry group and checking out my coffee places and walking 6th Ave and Soho and, and and.









Broadway at the Garment centre was decked out with models wearing some amazing clothes all made to withstand the weather and rather like the street decoration I saw in Chicago a couple of years ago









The normal subway train on the 6 line had taken a new look matching an ad campaign on 6th Avenue near 42nd street, You always need to have your camera ready in New York.







Cant miss having some rice pudding, comes in 24 flavours, at the Rice to Riches shop in Mott Street, People enjoy the rice and the owners get rich, I haven't been there enough times yet to try all the flavours, but keep trying.






Bryant Park at 42nd and 6th have the most interesting toilets in New York, girls line up on one side and boys on the other, never a very long line of boys but always a little wait to enjoy the flowers for the girls and to have a quick appearance check in the mirror.




Watch for my next blog for the next exciting destination