Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- 197103 [2016/03/08 13:07] – tyreless
+++ 197103 [2016/03/08 15:19] – tyreless
@@ Line 165: / Line 165: @@
 Barbara Bruce - Membership Secretary.
-I missed out on putting my section to the February maga! I thought
+I missed out on putting my section to the February mag.! I thought I had put it in, but I hadn't. But I've worked out a bit of a system now so I shouldn't forget again.
-I had 'put it in, bu I hadn't. But I've worked out a bit of a system
-now so I shoulan't forget again.
 Anyway, you didn't miss much because there weren't any new members in February to spread gossip about (otherwise ' might have noticed).
-March Committee M.eeting yields a different story, insofar as we had
-an application for membership from Michawl Smithers. I won't tell you all about Efchawl, but since he told Committee he might lead a few walks
+March Committee Meeting yields a different story, insofar as we had an application for membership from Michael Smithers. I won't tell you all about Michael, but since he told Committee he might lead a few walks you may, in due course, find out for yourselves anyway. I will merely tell you that he is a young Civil Engineer working for a firm located in North Sydney and that he has spent approximately 18 months in Hobart prior to migrating to Scotland and seeing a bit of Europe. He also has a pack exactly the same as mine - only his weighs more when it's full.
-you may, in duo course, find out for yourselves anyway. I will merely toll you that he is a young Civil Engineer working for a firm located in North Sydney ana that ho has spent approximately 18 months in Hobart prior to mi3rating to Scotland and seeing a bit of Europe. He also has a pack exactly the same as mine  only his weighs more when it's full .
-* * * * * * *
+----
 Welcome to the now Prospectives who joined in February and March:
-February: Robyn Barr, Max Christmann, Paul Harmata, Wendy Hobson, Kerry
-Ruston, Jenny Salzmann, Zenda Spry, Marjorie Stanton, Andrew Long, Nick
+__February__: Robyn Barr, Max Christmann, Paul Harmata, Wendy Hobson, Kerry Ruston, Jenny Salzmann, Zenda Spry, Marjorie Stanton, Andrew Long, Nick Marshall, John O'Rourke, Greg. Wilson, Robert Banks, Michael Breen, Robyn Cummings, Peter Donnelly and Ron Howie.
-Marshall, Johm O'Rourke, Greg. Wilson, Robert Banks, Michael Breen, Robyn Cummings, Peter Donnelly and Ron Howie.
-March: Cedric Leathbridge, Robin Plumb, Jane Parish, Colin Rodgers, Louise Rowen and Wayne Small.
+__March__: Cedric Leathbridge, Robin Plumb, Jane Parish, Colin Rodgers, Louise Rowen and Wayne Small.
-* * * * * * *
-There 73 a whopping great list of Prospectives who kept us in Membership hop ing, about October, and who are now duo to apply for full membership or request an extension.
+----
-Robyn Anderson, Christine Brown, Anne Cowlishaw, Felicity Dixon,
-John and Peter Edwards, John Ellis, Jean Emerson, Lita Byers, Gaye Ford: ham, Jim Gardner, Kay Grover, Pam Gwyther, Jane Kobitz, Jeloel Mackenz1e9 Ella Neef, David Peacock, Angie Rosenrauch, Kay Schubkegel, Paul Sharp; Barbara Warnott, Richard Watkins, Johm Fieboldt.
+There's a whopping great list of Prospectives who kept us in Membership hopping, about October, and who are now due to apply for full membership or request an extension.
-If any members wee any of the abovomentioned Prospectives  and think of it  please draw their attention to the expiration of their Prospective Membership.
-********************
+Robyn Anderson, Christine Brown, Anne Cowlishaw, Felicity Dixon, John and Peter Edwards, John Ellis, Jean Emerson, Lita Byers, Gaye Fordham, Jim Gardner, Kay Grover, Pam Gwyther, Jane Kobitz, Jeloel Mackenzie, Ella Neef, David Peacock, Angie Rosenrauch, Kay Schubkegel, Paul Sharp, Barbara Warnott, Richard Watkins, John Fieboldt.
-March, 1971.	THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER	Page g
-*******************************Les Daviason******************************
+If any members see any of the abovomentioned Prospectives - and think of it - please draw their attention to the expiration of their Prospective Membership.
-At last the big day arrived. Mary, Barry and I boarded the Boeing
-on the 8th August last at 10a.m. ready for our flight to Viti Levu, Fiji looking forward to our 14 days holiday with the intention of walking from the Nausori Highlands on the west coast to Suva on the southeast
+----
-	coast.
-Sydney had a temperature of 560 when we took off and after four hours of picturesque flying we touched dawn at Nadi Airport. When we stepped out of the aircraft it was like stepping into a hot house, it was 80 Off came pullovers, long pants, and shirt sleeves werd rolled up to combat the heat.
+=====Holiday In Fiji.=====
-After we were cleared_ by Customs we walked out of the Airport scratching our heads as to which way to go to Nausori Highlands via Nadi township. D:La Owen Marks say turn left and catch a bus or did he say turn right? Did Frank Tacker say turn right or was it left? Did Dot Noble say walk or aid she say catch a bus?
-Completely confused we asked a Fijian the way to Nausori Highlands via Nadi tomaship. He looked at us and then at our gigantic packs and told us that we would never get to Nausori with such loads. It was clear he didn't want anything to do with idiots anyhow. After several more enquiries we boarded a bus for Nadi township. We alighted at a native village called Namotomoto.
+By Les Davidson.
-At last we got some clues. The Fijians told us that Nausori Highlands was about 20 miles distant and seeing it was late in the day they suggested we stay with t'-em overnight and set out for Nausori next morning.
-These hospitable people spread out grass mats under the palm trees and served us with coffee and biscuits. 7e all agreed it was the best coffee and biscuits we had ever tasted. That night they took us into a bure (native hut) and we had an enjoyable evening discussing our rasped-
+At last the big day arrived. Mary, Barry and I boarded the Boeing 707 on the 8th August last at 10a.m. ready for our flight to Viti Levu, Fiji looking forward to our 14 days holiday with the intention of walking from the Nausori Highlands on the west coast to Suva on the south-east coast.
-. tive countries.
-Next morning after a mighty breakfast we said goodbye and set off by cab for Nausori. 7Te cliOtbed for hundreds of feet into the Nausori Highlands. The scenery was really something, dense rain forests and row after row of grass covered hills (Viti Levu was once volcanic). The cab
+Sydney had a temperature of 56° when we took off and after four hours of picturesque flying we touched dawn at Nadi Airport. When we stepped out of the aircraft it was like stepping into a hot house, it was 80°. Off came pullovers, long pants, and shirt sleeves were rolled up to combat the heat.
-dropped us off at the Nausori Village and we asked the natives the way to the next village explaining to tom our intention of walking cross
-country to Suva.
+After we were cleared by Customs we walked out of the Airport scratching our heads as to which way to go to Nausori Highlands via Nadi township. Did Owen Marks say turn left and catch a bus or did he say turn right? Did Frank Tacker say turn right or was it left? Did Dot Noble say walk or did she say catch a bus?
-Page 10.	THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER	March, 1971.
-Alas  the best laid plans of mice and men  they informed us most emphatically that walking across country to Suva was decidedly dangerous, that a guide was essential, that Mount Victoria Range was 4000 feet high
+Completely confused we asked a Fijian the way to Nausori Highlands via Nadi township. He looked at us and then at our gigantic packs and told us that we would never get to Nausori with such loads. It was clear he didn't want anything to do with idiots anyhow. After several more enquiries we boarded a bus for Nadi township. We alighted at a native village called Namotomoto.
-and if you did not know the passes over the Range you would get hopelessly lost. They told us about a party of walkers from a youth organi-
-zation who got lost trying to cross the range and helicopters were called
+At last we got some clues. The Fijians told us that Nausori Highlands was about 20 miles distant and seeing it was late in the day they suggested we stay with them overnight and set out for Nausori next morning.
-in to locate and rescue them.
-We looked at each other in dismay  hadn't we pored over maps for
+These hospitable people spread out grass mats under the palm trees and served us with coffee and biscuits. We all agreed it was the best coffee and biscuits we had ever tasted. That night they took us into a bure (native hut) and we had an enjoyable evening discussing our respective countries.
-months previously planning our walk and allowing ourselves a certain mileage per day  what next?
-Seeing we had letters and photos to give to people at the village of
+Next morning after a mighty breakfast we said goodbye and set off by cab for Nausori. We climbed for hundreds of feet into the Nausori Highlands. The scenery was really something, dense rain forests and row after row of grass covered hills (Viti Levu was once volcanic). The cab dropped us off at the Nausori Village and we asked the natives the way to the next village explaining to them our intention of walking cross country to Suva.
-Nasauthoko we asked them how to get there. They gave us directions and after buying tinned fish and bread at their store we set off.
-Following their directions we walked along a road for about two miles and turned right on to a horse track which was about 3' wide and cut its
+Alas - the best laid plans of mice and men - they informed us most emphatically that walking across country to Suva was decidedly dangerous, that a guide was essential, that Mount Victoria Range was 4000 feet high and if you did not know the passes over the Range you would get hopelessly lost. They told us about a party of walkers from a youth organization who got lost trying to cross the range and helicopters were called in to locate and rescue them.
-way through grass about 8' high. After walking along this track for about
-three miles we decided it was lunch time. The problem was where do we
+We looked at each other in dismay - hadn't we pored over maps for months previously planning our walk and allowing ourselves a certain mileage per day - what next?
-eat and where do we get water. We were still surrounded by grass 8' high.
-In the distance to the right we could hoar a waterfall. We left the track and walked toward the waterfall belting our way through the tall grass which gave way to thick jungle. The waterfall was evasive  hearing
+Seeing we had letters and photos to give to people at the village of Nasauthoko we asked them how to get there. They gave us directions and after buying tinned fish and bread at their store we set off.
-was not seeing. The temperature was still in the 80's. I decided to leave the others and press on towards the waterfall. After pushing my way through the thick jungle for about 300 yards I realised that further efforts were futile so made my way back to the others guided by their loud calls.
-Getting back to the track again we walked a further mile and came to a most welcome stream where 70 boiled the billy and had a lunch which consisted of tinned fish and dry bread. The butter we had bought in Nadi was rancid, henceforth we didn't carry any butter.
+Following their directions we walked along a road for about two miles and turned right on to a horse track which was about 3' wide and cut its way through grass about 8' high. After walking along this track for about three miles we decided it was lunch time. The problem was where do we eat and where do we get water. We were still surrounded by grass 8' high.
-After lunch we climbed about 500 feet and found ourselves on a-rain forest plateau We went along this plateau for about a mile before starting a 1.000 foot descent. Banana palms grew in abundance in the rain forest, unfortunately the fruit was green, and it was here that we saw Fijian oranges for the first time. They were twice the size of a grape fruit and very thick skinned. We did not fancy eating them.
-Half way down the mountain we had an excellent panoramic view of a native village situated on the banks of a river about three miles distant. Reaching the bottom the rain forest gave way to grasslands and we walked along a horse track to tho native village arriving there aboat 4pm.
+In the distance to the right we could hear a waterfall. We left the track and walked toward the waterfall belting our way through the tall grass which gave way to thick jungle. The waterfall was evasive - hearing was not seeing. The temperature was still in the 80's. I decided to leave the others and press on towards the waterfall. After pushing my way through the thick jungle for about 300 yards I realised that further efforts were futile so made my way back to the others guided by their loud calls.
-March, 1971.	THE _SYDNEY BUSHWALKER	Page 11.
+Getting back to the track again we walked a further mile and came to a most welcome stream where we boiled the billy and had a lunch which consisted of tinned fish and dry bread. The butter we had bought in Nadi was rancid, henceforth we didn't carry any butter.
+After lunch we climbed about 500 feet and found ourselves on a rain forest plateau. We went along this plateau for about a mile before starting a 1000 foot descent. Banana palms grew in abundance in the rain forest, unfortunately the fruit was green, and it was here that we saw Fijian oranges for the first time. They were twice the size of a grape fruit and very thick skinned. We did not fancy eating them.
+Half way down the mountain we had an excellent panoramic view of a native village situated on the banks of a river about three miles distant. Reaching the bottom the rain forest gave way to grasslands and we walked along a horse track to the native village arriving there about 4pm.
 Fijian children with frizzy hair and gleaming white teeth welcomed us. One of the boys took us to the village chief who made us welcome and insisted we stay the night in the village. He told us that a bure was available however we decided to sleep in our tents.
-This village is called Wauosa. It is about a quarter of a mile in diameter surrounded by a wire fence to stop the live stock from wandering. Here there were about 30 buTes and as this was the first village we had seen off the beaten track we had an opportunity to see the villagers' way of life. The men were tall and had magnificent physiques. The women were tall also and carried more weitht than their menfolk. Men's dress was shorts or sulus (coloured cloth wrapped around their waist). The women's dress was a cottom frock with a sulu worn underneath. Unfortunately mini skirts were non-existent. The Fijians are a religious people, 85% Methodist, and the women are modest. Their dress seems unsuitable for such a hot climate.
+This village is called Wauosa. It is about a quarter of a mile in diameter surrounded by a wire fence to stop the live stock from wandering. Here there were about 30 bures and as this was the first village we had seen off the beaten track we had an opportunity to see the villagers' way of life. The men were tall and had magnificent physiques. The women were tall also and carried more weight than their menfolk. Men's dress was shorts or sulus (coloured cloth wrapped around their waist). The women's dress was a cotton frock with a sulu worn underneath. Unfortunately mini skirts were non-existent. The Fijians are a religious people, 85% Methodist, and the women are modest. Their dress seems unsuitable for such a hot climate.
 The main industry in the villages is farming. Their needs are simple and their expenses few. Their farms supply them with fruit and vegetables, the rivers abound with fish and prawns. Every village has fowls and pigs roaming around, they keep goats and cows for milk and meat and their existence is a very happy one.
-They invited us to eat with them that night. The meal was fish and casava. Casava is a vegetable which, when growing, looks like sugar cane. It is cut into pieces about 4" long and boiled - it tastes sweet potato but is very dry and rich.I.We found we couldn't eat much of it, however the Fijians have it with every meal.
-Fijians have no talbes and chairs or knives and forks. A cloth is spread on the bure floor and everybody sits down with legs crossed and eats with their fingers. We found this eating position most uncomfortable after five minutes but we had no alternative than to eat in this fashion.
+They invited us to eat with them that night. The meal was fish and casava. Casava is a vegetable which, when growing, looks like sugar cane. It is cut into pieces about 4" long and boiled - it tastes sweet potato but is very dry and rich. We found we couldn't eat much of it, however the Fijians have it with every meal.
-That evening they entertained us with a kava ceremony. Kava is a drink made from the roots of a pepper plant. It is ground and mixed
-. with water and is served from a bowl called a tonoa and is handed around in a half coconut shell called a bib o everybody drinking in turn, it has a shocking taste. It is manners to drink it down in one gulp.
+Fijians have no tables and chairs or knives and forks. A cloth is spread on the bure floor and everybody sits down with legs crossed and eats with their fingers. We found this eating position most uncomfortable after five minutes but we had no alternative than to eat in this fashion.
-. Ills ceremony went on for several hours - just as well the stuff wasn't intoxicating because we would have all been rotten drunk. We went to bed about midnight after we had chased pigs out of our tents.
+That evening they entertained us with a kava ceremony. Kava is a drink made from the roots of a pepper plant. It is ground and mixed with water and is served from a bowl called a tonoa and is handed around in a half coconut shell called a bibo everybody drinking in turn, it has a shocking taste. It is manners to drink it down in one gulp. This ceremony went on for several hours - just as well the stuff wasn't intoxicating because we would have all been rotten drunk. We went to bed about midnight after we had chased pigs out of our tents.
 In the morning Barry discovered some of his brass tent pegs had been taken and wooden ones substituted. We concluded someone in the village was a scrap metal merchant.
-After breakfast of more casava and black tea drunk from a bowl by way of a spoon, we sot off for Nasauthoko. The village Chief insisted in sending two of his nine sons with us to show us the way. B afore leaving
-Page 12.	TI IE SYDNEY BUSHWALIER	March, 1971.
-he told one of his sons to carry Mary's handbag (pack) as it looked--- heavy for her. According to the Chief the distance was lir miles  an Australian bush mile is always about 2 miles in my estimation, but Fijian miles are easily four miles Australian because we walked seven miles before we reached Nasaulthoko.
-The walk w7s very rewarding because we walked through some of the most A
+After breakfast of more casava and black tea drunk from a bowl by way of a spoon, we set off for Nasauthoko. The village Chief insisted in sending two of his nine sons with us to show us the way. Before leaving he told one of his sons to carry Mary's handbag (pack) as it looked too heavy for her. According to the Chief the distance was 1 1/2 miles - an Australian bush mile is always about 2 miles in my estimation, but Fijian miles are easily four miles Australian because we walked seven miles before we reached Nasaulthoko.
-fertile farmland that I have ever seen. This land is on the banks of a
-river and the Fijian farms stretched for miles. The assortment of fruits and vegetable was grown, their size was unbelievable compared with ours. The Fijian passion fruit was ripe, the fruit is bright yellow and is easily the size of a mango and it has a much more delectable flavour than ours. We ate about a dozen each and the Fijian boys pushed dozens more into our packs.
+The walk was very rewarding because we walked through some of the most fertile farmland that I have ever seen. This land is on the banks of a river and the Fijian farms stretched for miles. The assortment of fruits and vegetable was grown, their size was unbelievable compared with ours. The Fijian passion fruit was ripe, the fruit is bright yellow and is easily the size of a mango and it has a much more delectable flavour than ours. We ate about a dozen each and the Fijian boys pushed dozens more into our packs.
-The we were thirsty the bous climbed coconut palms and gave us coconut juice to drink. Te reached Nasauthoko about lp.m. and, as is the custom, we waited at the village limits while the Fijian boy escorts brought the Village Chief along to meet us.
-His welcome was "Bula" which means hullo and welcome and took Marys pack from her and took us to his bure ana invited us to sleep there for the night. He sat us under a tree near his bure and produced large jugs
+When we were thirsty the boys climbed coconut palms and gave us coconut juice to drink. Te reached Nasauthoko about l p.m. and, as is the custom, we waited at the village limits while the Fijian boy escorts brought the Village Chief along to meet us.
-of passion fruit juice and milk. The villagers crowded around us and asked us about ourselves.
+His welcome was "Bula" which means hullo and welcome and took Mary's pack from her and took us to his bure and invited us to sleep there for the night. He sat us under a tree near his bure and produced large jugs of passion fruit juice and milk. The villagers crowded around us and asked us about ourselves.
 Frank Tawker had visited this village previously and gave us a letter of introduction and photographs he had taken of the villagers. We gave these to the people and they disappeared within seconds, they were excited and delighted with the photographs.
-The three of us decided to cool off in the river which ran along the boundary of the village so excusing ourselves we took a swim. After about a quarter of an hour in the water Mary said she had had enough and would go bacl: to the bure and have a rest. Seeing *nobody in sight Barry and I decided to have a swim as nature intended so we left our swim trunks on a rock on the river bank and dived back in again. No sooner had we hit the water than about 20 native women came dawn to the
-river to wash, their clothers. The place they chose was right near
+The three of us decided to cool off in the river which ran along the boundary of the village so excusing ourselves we took a swim. After about a quarter of an hour in the water Mary said she had had enough and would go back to the bure and have a rest. Seeing nobody in sight Barry and I decided to have a swim as nature intended so we left our swim trunks on a rock on the river bank and dived back in again. No sooner had we hit the water than about 20 native women came dawn to the river to wash their clothes. The place they chose was right near the deep hole we were in. The hole was surrounded by flat rocks about a foot above water level, there we were trapped with nothing on and surrounded by women. Luckily the water was about 12 feet deep. We were certain the women each had a month's washing to do because they stayed there doing their chores for about two hours.
-the deep hole we were in. The hole was surrounded by flat rocks about a foot above water level, there we were trapped with nothing on and
-surrounded by women. Luckily the water was about 12 feet deep. We
+After a half hour we began to get cold but we dare not leave the water so we trod water and shivered. We watched every article of clothing get washed and were they slow washers! When we finally got out it took us an hour to thaw out.
-were certain the women each had a month's washing to do because they stayed there doing their chores for about two hours.
-After a half hour we began to get cold but we dare not leave the
+Getting back to the village we decided to erect our tents near the Chief's bure because we did not like to be of any bother to the villagers. No sooner were the tents up than the Chief asked us to take them down because wild horses came into the village during the night and he was afraid the horses would get entangled in the tent ropes and either carry the tents away or trip and fall on us. We agreed that this was good advice so down came the tents.
-water so we trod water and shivered. We watched every article of cloth-
-ing get washed and were they slow washers! When we finally got out it took us an hour to thaw out.
+That afternoon the Fijians rode into the hills and speared a wild pig for our dinner that night. We were told that wild pigs abound in the hills outside of the village. Barry and I watched them take out the pig's innards,a performance that Mary was not allowed to see because it wasn't a "nice sight" for women folk. When the pig was slit open the village dogs fought like hell to get first bite at the innards. The dogs got a swift kick from the disembowellers for their unruly behaviour.
-March, 1971.	THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER	Page 13.
-Getting back to the village we decided to erect our tents near the Chief's bure because we aid not like to be of any bother to the villagers. No sooner were the tents up than the Chief asked us to take them down because wild horses came into the village during the night and he was afraid the horses would get entangled in the tent ropes and either carry the tents away or trip and fall on us. We agreed that this was good advice so down came the tents.
+The choicest sections of the pig were put into a giant iron pot and boiled for our meal that night. We sat down to our pig stew and casava about 9 p.m. that night. There were about 20 Fijians in the bure with us sharing the meal. We ate in the usual Fijian way with legs crossed etc. no knives and forks. After the meal we went to sleep on the bure floor in Fijian fashion.
-That afternoon the Fijians rode into the hills and speared a wild
-pig for our dinner that night. We were told that wild pigs abound in the
- hills outside of the village. Barry and I watched them take out the pig's innards,a performance that Mary was not allowed to see because it wasn't a "nice sight" for women folk. when the pig was slit open the village dogs fought like hell to get first bite at the innards. The dogs got a swift kick from the disembowellers for their unruly behaviour.
-The coicest sections of the pig were put into a giant iron pot and boiled for our meal that night. We sat down to our pig stew and casava about 9p.m. that night. There were about 20 Fijians in the buxe with
-us sharing the meal. We ate in the usual Fijian way with legs crossed etc. no knives and forks. After the meal we went to sleep on the buxe floor in Fijian fashion,
 We were up early next morning and after a meal of more casava and tea from a bowl we said goodbye to everybody. The children were very fascinating. We felt like putting some of them in our packs and taking them with us.
-The Chief walked with us to the track which led to the road to Sigatoka where we intended stopping overnight. The Chief told us we had. about 1i- miles to walk to the village where we would pick up the bus to Sigatoka  these wore more F ijian miles as we walked about eight miles to the bus stop. It was on this walk that we decided that walking in Fiji was definitely "out" for us. The temperature was in the 80.s and the going was hard  up hill and down dale with perspiration pouring off us. We reached Keiyasi about midday and caught the bus to Sigatoka.
-The bus trip to Sigatoka took about two hours. Travelling by native bus in Fiji is very cheap  it works out a little over 1 cent a mile, 100 miles costing $1.18. Reaching Sigatoka about 2 p.m. we had a look around the town. Sigatoka is situated on the Sigatoka River which is on the south coast.
+The Chief walked with us to the track which led to the road to Sigatoka where we intended stopping overnight. The Chief told us we had about 1 1/2 miles to walk to the village where we would pick up the bus to Sigatoka - these wore more Fijian miles as we walked about eight miles to the bus stop. It was on this walk that we decided that walking in Fiji was definitely "out" for us. The temperature was in the 80's and the going was hard - up hill and down dale with perspiration pouring off us. We reached Keiyasi about midday and caught the bus to Sigatoka.
+The bus trip to Sigatoka took about two hours. Travelling by native bus in Fiji is very cheap - it works out a little over 1 cent a mile, 100 miles costing $1.18. Reaching Sigatoka about 2 p.m. we had a look around the town. Sigatoka is situated on the Sigatoka River which is on the south coast.
 The next thing was where do we camp for the night. We spied a native village across the river so we made for it. This village is called Lase Lase and it was easily the biggest village we had yet encountered.
-Page 14.	THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER	March, 1971.
-....r..1.1...Mm14141
+We asked for the head man of the village - he was a man about 6'4 who was dressed in European clothes and spoke perfect English. We told him about our Fijian travels to date and invited us to share his bungalow instead of staying in a bure. He took us to a room about 30' x 30' and told us we could use it for our overnight stay. There were beds in the room and each bed had four or five grass mats in place of a mattress.
-We asked for the head man Lof the village  he was a man about 614 who was dressed in European clothes and spoke perfect English. We told him about our Fijian travels to date and invited us to share his bungalow instead of staying in a bure. He took us to a room about 30' x30' and tola us we could use it for our overnight stay. There were beds in the room and each bed had four or five grass mats in place of a mattress.
-This village owned a huge sugar cane plantation as it's source of income., The farm was adjacent to the village. The Chief showed us over the canqtields and explained all of its workings to us. When we got back to the bungalow the table was already set with cooked meta, eggs tropical vegetables and fruit, milk and home made bread all of which was his own produce. After a gigantic meal we talkea until about llpm and then retired to our comfortable beds.
+This village owned a huge sugar cane plantation as it's source of income. The farm was adjacent to the village. The Chief showed us over the cane fields and explained all of its workings to us. When we got back to the bungalow the table was already set with cooked meat, eggs, tropical vegetables and fruit, milk and home made bread all of which was his own produce. After a gigantic meal we talked until about llpm and then retired to our comfortable beds.
 Our breakfast next morning consisted of more farm produce and after more sight seeing we said goodbye.
-The Fijian hospitality was so overwhelming that it was becoming embarrassing. No where would tliey accept money for anything. We decided henceforth to fond for ourselves and not indulge upon the Fijian's good naturedness.
+The Fijian hospitality was so overwhelming that it was becoming embarrassing. No where would they accept money for anything. We decided henceforth to fend for ourselves and not indulge upon the Fijian's good naturedness.
 We caught a bus at Sigatoka at 9a.m. The bus was going to Suva, a distance of about 90 miles. We informed the conductor that we would get off at the first good camping spot we came across. This was our first real experience of native bus travel in Fiji. The road from Sigatoka to Suva is not sealed and the buses have no glass windows, instead they have clear plastic blinds which are always rolled up for ventilation. Great clouds of dust engulfed the bus both inside and outside. We soon wised up that a hat and sun glasses were necessary to keep the thick dust out of our hair and eyes. Unfortunately our hats and sun glasses were in our packs in the luggage section of the bus.
-We travelled along this road en route to Suva for about 50 miles looking for a suitable camping sight, every few miles along the road were Fijian and Indian villages with rain forests between. The bus stopped at a halfway store/eating house for fifteen minutes. Here we met two
-New Zealand women who told us about a suitable camp site adjacent to a
+We travelled along this road en route to Suva for about 50 miles looking for a suitable camping site, every few miles along the road were Fijian and Indian villages with rain forests between. The bus stopped at a halfway store/eating house for fifteen minutes. Here we met two New Zealand women who told us about a suitable camp site adjacent to a holiday resort called "Tropic Sands" at Deuba, which was about 8 miles distant. Alighting at this camping spot we paid the bus driver what we owed him. This place was all that the New Zealand women claimed - it was a stretch of beach miles long with coconut palms growing right to the sand. Nearby was a Seventh Day Adventist Holiday Camp, the people staying there allowed us to use their facilities so we pitched our tents and spent a day swimming and enjoying the tropical scenery.
-holiday resort called "Tropic Sands" at DeUba, which was about 8 miles distant. Alighting at this camping spot we paid the bus driver what we owed him. This place was all that the Now Zealand women claimed it
-was a stretch of beach miles long with coconut palms growing right to the
+At 1 p.m. the next day we caught the bus bound for Suva. The Fijian buses pick up and drop passengers anywhere - we found this practice very handy. We arrived in Suva at about 3 p.m. Frank Ashdown had given us the address of a guest house where he had stayed and with a Suva street map we soon found the house and introduced ourselves. Fortunately there were bed and breakfast vacancies so we stayed until Saturday morning. It was very nice to have some mod cons at last.
-sand. Nearby was a Seventh Day Adventist Hbliday Camp, the people staying
-there allowed us to use their facilities so we pitched our tents and spent a day swimming and enjoying the tropical scenery.
+During our stay in Suva we visited the museum, parks, historical buildings and looked in at the hundreds of duty free shops. We had several meals in Indian restaurants - their food is made of a curry base and was it hot! Again we wised up smartly - the first thing we asked for in an Indian restaurant was a large jug of water to douse the mouthfuls of red hot curry.
-March, 1971.	TEE SYDNEY BUSHWAIKER	Page 15.
-At 1 pin. the next day we caught the bus bound for Suva. The Fijian buses pick up and drop passengers anywhere  we found this practice very handy. We arrived in Suva at about 3 p.m. Frank Ashdown had given us the address of a guest house where he had stayed and with a Suva street map we soon found the house and introduced ourselves. Fortunately there were bed and breakfast vacancies so we stayed until Saturday morning. It was very nice to have some mod cons at last.
+We found the Suva markets amusing - the natives, both Fijian and Indian, spread their wares on the footpaths and lay down alongside often falling asleep. Everything imaginable can be bought here - fruit, vegetables, fish, poultry, pigs, clothing, jewellery, grass mats, hats, foodstuffs, you name it, they have it. There were fruits and vegetables we had never seen before.
-During our stay in Suva we visited the museum, parks, historical buildings and looked in at the hundreds of duty free shops. 7e had several meals in Indian restaurants  their food is made of a curry base and was it hots Again we wised up smartly  the first thing we asked for in an Indian restaurant was a large jug of water to douse the mouthfuls of red. hot curry.
-We found the Suva markets amusing  the natives, both Fijian and Indian, spread their wares on the footpaths and lay dawn alongside often falling asleep. Everything imaginable can be bought here  fruit, vegetables, fish, poultry, pigs, clothing, jewellery, grass mats, hats, foodstuffs, you name it, they have it. There were fruits and vegetables we had never seen before.
+On Friday afternoon we visited friends of Mary's who live on the outskirts of Suva. These people are horticulturists and grow exotic flowers and shrubs in their nursery which spreads over three acres. There are dozens of aviaries and fish ponds in their beautiful gardens. The aviaries house every type of parrot and the fish ponds are well stocked with all kinds of fresh water fish. We had dinner with them that evening on the verandah of their palatial home with a scene of coconut palms and the setting sun.
-On Friday afternoon we visited friends of Mary's who live on the outskirts of Suva. These people are horticulturists and grow exotic flowers and shrubs in their nursery which spreads over three acres. There are dozens of aviaries and fish ponds in their beautiful gardens.
-The aviaries house every type of parrot and the fish ponds are well stocked with all kinds of fresh water fish. We had dinner with them that evening on the verandah of their palatial home with a scene of coconut palms and the setting sun.
+We left Suva by bus at 8 a.m. next morning bound for Rakiraki which is on the north coast. Rakiraki had been recommended to us as a good camping spot, however, we still had the intention of stopping off at any camping spot en route to Rakiraki. The road from Suva to Rakiraki passes through what is called the wet side of the island. Seeing we would be travelling for about a hundred miles we put our packs in the luggage compartment at the rear of the bus and got ourselves a back seat to enable us to look down at our packs periodically.
-We left Suva by bus at 8 a.m. next morning bound for Rakiraki which
-is on the north coast. Rakiraki had been recommended to us as a good camping spot, however, we still had the intention of stopping off at any camping spot en route to Rakiraki. The road from Suva to Rakiraki passes through what is called the wet side of the island. Seeing we would be travelling for about a hundred miles we put our packs in the luggage compartment at the rear of the bus and got ourselves a back seat to enable us to look down at our packs periodically.
+At Suva the Fijians and Indians had loaded the luggage compartment with all their goods and chattels bought at the Suva markets. Glancing at our packs the sight that met our eyes was amusing - on my pack there was a pig fast asleep, Barry's pack had three fowls perched on it, and Mary's was out of sight buried beneath huge bunches of bananas, taro roots, water melons etc.
-At Suva the Fijians and Indians had loaded the luggage compartment with all their goods and chattels bought at the Suva markets. Glancing at our packs the sight that met our eyes was amusing  on my pack there was a pig fast asleep, Barry's pack had three fowls perched on it, and Mary's was out
-of sight buried_ beneath huge bunches of bananas, taro roots, water melons etc.
+The bus trip was pleasant - to the left there were Fijian and Indian villages situated on the banks of the many rivers. We saw many Fijian women washing clothes in the rivers (this brought back memories). The rivers were only knee deep, rocky, and fairly fast flowing. What we did notice vividly was the ratio of Indian schools to Fijian schools. Indian schools outnumbered Fijian schools 6 to 1. The Indians are the business people of Viti Levu - they are referred to as "the Jews of the Pacific". They outnumber the Fijians 54% to 46%.
-The bus trip was pleasant  to the loft there were Fijian and Indian villages situated on the banks of the many rivers. We saw many Fijian
-women washing clothes in the rivers (this brought back memories). The rivers were only knee deep, rocky, and fairly fast flowing. What we did notice vividly was the ratio of Indian schools to Fijian schools. Indian schools
+We didn't see any appealing camp sites on the trip to Rakiraki. The majority of the land was sugar cane fields, miles and miles of them. We did not fancy pitching our tents in the middle of the cane fields. The land close to the sea was mostly mangrove swamps - most unsuitable for camping. An unusual sight was to see mongoose darting across the roadway. Our first sight of them left us bewildered until we found out what they were. They were introduced to kill snakes which thrive in the cane fields.
-Page 16.	THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER	March, 1971.
-outnumbered. Fijian schools 6 to 1. The Indians are the business people of Viti Levu  they are referred to as "the Jews of the Pacific". They outnumber the Fijians 54% to 46%.
+We arrived at Rakiraki about 1 p.m. and this place was the worst dump we had ever seen. We stepped out of the bus and it was like stepping into the American wild west. It was hot, dry and dusty, predominantly Indian and the shops looked at least 200 years old. The food was 90% Indian, therefore we bought half a pound of biscuits for our lunch which worked out at four biscuits apiece, and we jumped into the bus as quickly as possible. We asked the conductor to put us off at the next best camping place. I am sure he had never heard of the word "camping" before because he put us off about 40 miles further along at a place called Ba.
-We didn't see any appealing camp sites on the trip to Rakiraki. The majority of the land was sugar cane fields, miles and miles of them. We did not fancy pitching our tents in the middle of the cane fields. The land close to the sea was mostly mangrove swamps  most unsuitable for camping. An unusual sight was to see mongoose darting across the roadway. Our first sight of them left us bewildered until we found out what they were. They were introduced to kill snakes which thrive in the cane fields.
-We arrived at Rakiraki about 1 p.m. and this place was the worst dump we had over seen. We stepped out of the bus and it was like stepping into the American wild west. It was hot, dry and dusty, predominantly Indian and the shops looked at least 200 years old. The food was 90% Indian, therefore we bought half a pound of biscuits for our lunch which worked out at four biscuits apiece, and we jumped into the bus as quickly as possible. We asked the conductor to put us off at the next best camping place. I am sure he had never heard of the word "camping" before because he put us off about 40 miles further along at a place called Ba.
+This was another dump, slightly better than Rakiraki but that's all. We put our tents up by the side of a muddy river - the Yarra had nothing on this river because it definitely flowed upside down. We did not fancy staying the night here but we had no alternative. This to was also mainly Indian so we bought a tin of fish, a loaf of bread and a bottle of milk each and sat in the heat partaking of our 'appetising' meal. That night we walked along the main street window shopping and then went back to our tents where the giant mosquitoes nearly carried us away.
-This was another dump, slightly better than Rakiraki but that's all. We put our tents up by the side of a muddy river  the Yarra had nothing on this river becauae it definitely flowed upside down. We did not fancy staying the night here but we had no alternative. This to was also mainly Indian so WO bought a tin of fish, a loaf of bread and a bottle of milk each and sat in the heat partaking of our 'appetising' meal. That night we walked along the main street window shopping and then went back to our tents where the giant mosquitoes nearly carried us away.
-Next morning, after no breakfast, we caught the native bus to Lautoka about 25 miles away. Ernie and Betty Farquhar's son, Ken, lives in Lautoka ana we had his phone number so we phoned as soon as we arrived and within minutes Ken's wife, Beryl, picked us up in their car and took us to their home where they let us erect our tents in their huge back yard. They showed us every kindness and on Sunday night Ken, who is a Chemist Supervisor employed by the South Pacific Sugar Mills, showed us over the sugar mill which is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The inspection was very interesting.
+Next morning, after no breakfast, we caught the native bus to Lautoka about 25 miles away. Ernie and Betty Farquhar's son, Ken, lives in Lautoka and we had his phone number so we phoned as soon as we arrived and within minutes Ken's wife, Beryl, picked us up in their car and took us to their home where they let us erect our tents in their huge back yard. They showed us every kindness and on Sunday night Ken, who is a Chemist Supervisor employed by the South Pacific Sugar Mills, showed us over the sugar mill which is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The inspection was very interesting.
-Beryl and Ken told us that no stay in Fiji would be complete without a holiday on a tropical island so they arranged accommodation on Etai Island. This island is about 12 miles off the mainland. After about 1 hours travel on a big launch we arrived there and this island proved to be a real paradise. Etai is about a quarter of a mile in diameter and takes six minutes to walk around. Coconut palms and tropical vegetation grow in abundance and there were about 24 bures well furnished. The meals were smorgasbord, so you could eat until you dropped. This was quite a change from tinned fish, dry bread, and four
-biscuits apiece.
+Beryl and Ken told us that no stay in Fiji would be complete without a holiday on a tropical island so they arranged accommodation on Etai Island. This island is about 12 miles off the mainland. After about 1 1/2 hours travel on a big launch we arrived there and this island proved to be a real paradise. Etai is about a quarter of a mile in diameter and takes six minutes to walk around. Coconut palms and tropical vegetation grow in abundance and there were about 24 bures well furnished. The meals were smorgasbord, so you could eat until you dropped. This was quite a change from tinned fish, dry bread, and four biscuits apiece.
-March, 1971.	TEE SYDNEY BUSHWALICR	Page 17.
-Te had five days in this Paradise. There was a glass bottom boat
+We had five days in this Paradise. There was a glass bottom boat in which to view the coral and beautifully coloured fish. We spent all day long in the water snorkling. The sea was a bright blue such as we had never seen before, with the water temperature at 76°. There was a bar on the island where canned Australian beer could be bought for 30 cents a can, and it was delightful to sit under the palms drinking chilled cans of beer. Every night there was dancing to a Fijian band. The five days sped by and on Friday we left for Lautoka.
-in which to view the coral and beautifully coloured fish. We spent all
-day long in the water snorkling. The sea was a bright blue such as we
+Seeing this was our last night in Fiji we decided to enjoy the comforts of a guest house. The guest house proprietor set us up in a room and no sooner wore we settled than he suggested we change rooms because our present one was noisy. Settling ourselves in the second room we decided on an early night. The proprietor must have had a strange idea of "no noise" as the noise that night was incredible. To start with the train carrying sugar cane to the mill ran down the street past the guest house and the sound of its screeching sirens every half hour was deafening - we were sure the train ran through our bedroom. A group of Fijians had a singsong outside our window and this lasted for about 4 hours. There was an Indian Mosque right opposite and the Indians started chanting, by way of a public address system, at about 1 a.m. going right through until daybreak. What a night! We got fully one hour's sleep all night. If that was a quiet room how would the other one have been.
-had never seen before, with the water temperature at 76 . There was a bar on the island where canned Australian beer could be bought for 30 cents a can, and it was delightful to sit under the palms drinking
-chilled cans of beer. Every night there was dancing to a Fijian band. The five days sped. by and on Friday we left for Lautoka.
+We spent Saturday morning doing our duty free shopping, and we really enjoyed bargaining with the Indian shopkeepers. We left Lautoka for Nadi at about 2 p.m. and on arrival at the airport we were told there was a four hour delay. With the temperature in the 80's we left Nadi at 7 p.m. in shorts and shirts, arriving at Mascot where the temperature
-Seeing this was our last night in Fiji we decided to enjoy the
+was 60°, with a chilly wind blowing.
-comforts of a guest house. The guest house proprietor set us up in a room
-and no sooner wore we settled than he suggested we change rooms because our present one was noisy. Settling ourselves in the second room we
-decided on an early night. The proprietor must have haa a strange idea
-of "no noise" as the noise that night was incredible. To start with the train carrying sugar cane to the mill ran down the street past the guest house and the sound of its screeching sirens every half hour was deafening  we were sure the train ran through our bedroom. A group of Fijians had a singsong outside our window and this lasted for about 4 hours. There
-was an Indian ijbsque right opposite and the Indians started chanting, by way of a public address system, at about 1 a.m, going right through until daybreak. That a night! We got fully one hour's sleep all night. If that was a quiet room how would the other one have been.
-We spent Saturday corning doing our duty free shopping, and we really enjoyed bargaining with the Indian shopkeepers. We left Lautoka for Nadi at about 2 p.m. and on arrival at the airport we were told there was a four hour delay. With the temperature in the 80's we left Nadi at 7 p.m0 in shorts and shirts, arriving at Mascot where the temperature
-was 60, with a chilly wind blowing.
 ********.****
 nW EDITOR