Louise reading the Fiji times (pictured above). You learn much about a country from reading the local paper - like Fiji imports 200 million dollars worth of fruits and vegetables a year (the paper laments that this produce could be grown in Fiji), second hand cars are very expensive in Fiji (that must be why the taxis are so old), and cane cutters only earn forty dollars a week. In the afternoon Louise got a Henna tattoo on her wrist, at the Resort for $40. The artist was an effeminate Indian man wearing eye makeup, with plucked eyebrows who spoke with a lisping accent.
Louise asked, “Is this your full time job?”
“No, I’m fitter and a machinist.”
Ominous thick grey clouds appeared, like a grey blanket had been pulled over the normally blue sky. The temperature dropped, the palm tree leaves tossed in the wind, and here and there staff scurried about, whist the guests were nowhere to be seen, the adult pool for once deserted.
There is a Fijian version of Australian Idol called MIC (Make it Count). Louise was delighted that the top five were playing at the Hard Rock Café, Port Denarau where we were having dinner tonight. A self confessed reality TV junky, Louise is addicted to the program, well, there really not that much to choose from. -it's on the only Fijian TV channel, appropriately called Fiji TV. "It's on every night at 6pm" Louise said excitedly.
A young man from Lau who belted out George Michael's "faith" - was Louise's and the crowd favourite, although I imagine it had to be more for his looks than his attempts at dancing or singing. Louise said "Any person who sings George Michael is straight away my favourite".
We ate our cheeseburgers, which actually were not bad, to the songs of the contestants. The service was the best we have had in Fiji, and we have generally found on our travels that American companies do hold a high standard. The staff from the Hard Rock even got in the action and gave a performance of the Village People's 'YMCA'. And the best of all the bill was only $55 – a bargain in Fiji.
As we strolled back to the hotel, Louise said "It was my best night in Fiji".
