Suva, the capital of Fiji

Today I visited the capital of Fiji, not so very interesting as I knew already from other tourists, but good to do some shopping, and not at least enjoy the tour to Suva and back. There are so many things happening along the road: the island has one road following the coast, almost like the golden circle on Iceland. Here the southern part is the Queens highway and the northern part is ofcourse the King's highway. Highway is a very ambitious name in this occasion, but it is the road connecting people with eachother. There is lot's of "obstacles" to avoid while driving this road: horses, cows, dogs (with 4 or less legs..), chickens, children playing, slow cars, broken cars, pigs etc.
Glad I'm not driving myself...better being an observer and enjoying everyday life on the island passing by.
In Fiji being unemployed means no income at all and the unemployment rate is high, especially after the political crises 3 years ago, things are getting worse. Many tourists are staying away, especially the Australians, the largest group of tourists over here. Village people manage some way of another, at least they can have gardens and animals and the social security of the extended family. In the towns like Suva, you have nothing. Crime is for some a solution and tourists are interesting objects for them. I was warned and I never wear a handbag or jewelery and I've had no problems at all, but I've seen some weird elements going around. Fake security persons wanting to look in your bag, persons giving you things and demanding too much money for it afterwards and so on.
Coming home at 6 pm I had a wonderful sunset right in front of my bungalow, tomorrow is already my last day here before heading to exciting New Zealand!

Fiji

Yesterday I had the most wonderful day on this trip so far: I booked a so called eco-tour out in the inlands of the island, visiting a real village (not a touristy one)situated one hour from the end of the road. We had to go by boat on the river for about an hour and arrived at the village with about 200 inhabitants. They were self supporting and were selling the rest on the local market every no and then. I was together with our guide and 4 Australians and we spent the day in the village, having lunch with them and looked around in the school, talking with them about life in the villgae and so on. Of course they earn some money with the visits, but they were, like all the people here on the islands, so friendly and gentle.
A nice thing is that you can communicate with the people, English is still the number one language here.The river is used for transport, washing clothes, bathing, drinking water, swimming pool for the kids and so on.
Today a lazy day at the poolside, I even had lunch at the pool. Very tasty (cheap)dishes and especially the vegetables are so fresh and tasty...I even start eating tomatoes:-)
The guests are mostly from Australia and New Zealand, some from the UK and a few Americans and Canadians. I'm the strange duck in the pond:-)
By the way...Australians...I thought that Dutch kids were good swimmers at a young age, but Australian kids can swim before they can walk..have you ever seen a kid with a swimmingnappie and flippers in the pool? Amazing!

Bula!

Bula! is the thing at the moment,for those of you who've never been to Fiji...Bula is the greeting her for hello and goodbye.
Arrived early this morning after 3 days LA, nice town, but 3 days was enough for me: I've seen Hollywood, Santa Monica and the beaches and Downtown LA, and made the conclusion that it was absolutely worth the visit, but I'm not coming back very soon, like I'm absolutely planning to do with New York.
The 10 hours flight to Nadi, the airport at Fiji islands, was rough and bumpy. Even a huge 747 can shake like a Widerøe plane can do up in the high North of Norway. I did sleep a bit though, but it was good coming with both feet on the ground again after 10 hours.
We passed the dateline, so from 8 hours behind Norway, I'm now 11 hours ahead Norwegian time, and I missed November 11, all in 1 flight. A bit jetlag yes, but not too much.
I haven't seen a lot of Fiji islands yet, but 1st impression is that it feels a bit like Curacao, the climate (warm, windy), the friendly relaxed mood of the people, but where Curacao is dry and brown, here it is green everywhere. The papayas are hanging in front of my bungalow, just like coconuts, bananas, sugar canes and so on.
People here look like people from India, but with a Creole mix (some have curly hair and they are tall)and are Hindu, Christian or Muslim or something else, looks like a peaceful religious mix at least. And boy, they are friendly, I'm getting spoilt here at the resort:-)

Los Angeles/Hollywood

After again a smooth flight from New York to LA (with spectacular Grand Canyon views from the air!)I'm now in the world of stars:-) A weird place I must say, with skyhigh contrasts from one neighbourhood to another. Hollywood is cheap entertainment, not very stylish, Beverly Hills is the home of the stars, nicely protected and hidden by fences, enourmous green walls and beautiful gardens,taken care of by the (illigal) Mexican housekeepers and garden workers.
I've never seen so many people who lost their way in life. Many dreams are going up in smoke in the entertainment business.
At the entrances of areas like Beverly Hills, Mexicans are sitting beside the roads selling maps of the area so that you can find the address of your favourite star, who is maybe walking the dog when passing by:-)
Many tours with the same theme are organised: I don't understand that those tours are exciting, because besides green garden walls, there is not much more to see than a rooftop and maybe a parked cabriolet.
I escaped this wanna be environment and took a taxi to the Getty center, an absolutely amazing museum for art and architecture with one of the finest colections I've ever seen. The building on a mountain top is fabulous and so are the gardens, and like many museums in the States..free entrance.
I almost spent the whole day in and outside the museum, absolutely a highlight on this tour so far.

New York and Washington

After another beautiful day in New York strolling around in Central Park and visiting the "top of the rock", the 70th floor of the Rockefeller Center.
An astonishing view over Manhattan, thanks to the chilly, but clear and sunny weather.
Being a solo traveller this trip doesn't mean that I'm by myself all the time. Americans are very open and interesting in making contact. I've had many very nice conversations, sharing opinions with people of all ages and chatting along. I meet many people in what we should call low paid jobs but being so proud of their jobs, being part of the community, that I feel that many people in European countries could learn a lesson here. I meet many people up North living for ages on state benefits, absolutely capable playing a role for their community, but instead sitting at home in their comfortable chairs watching their flatscreens...
Same with being polite...I love the please and thank you every time I visit countries overseas...it absolutely makes a difference and it makes you feel welcome.

Washington yesterday was long and tiring,but worth the visit. I have to come back for the museums, all free and so well done. I visited the National museum for native people and it was fabulous, both the collections and the building itself..and the great Indian food in the restaurant.

Today I will "go with the flow", there will be a huge parade in town celebrating the Yankees winning the world series, THE big thing here. I will see where I can come in town, depending on the crowds.

New York

After a amooth journey from Olso to New York, my tour officially started in New York.
A fantastic and fascinating city where I absolutely have to come back to another time. So many things to explore!
Nice sunny weather and warm for me coming from winter Norway. Today I will see the Lion King show on Broadway, at the Minskoff Theater around the corner where my hotel is. Yesterday I did an extensive sightseeing around Manhattan, tomorrow Washington, having a coffee with Obama:-)

Carolien's world tour

Hi there! Long time no seen...but back on track again at this blog.
I will report from my "world around in 6 weeks" tour, starting this Sunday.
Places I will visit: Oslo-New York-Los Angeles-Fiji Islands-Auckland-Sydney-Bangkok-Oslo.
Am I excited?? YESSSSSSSS!