No congregating by the washrooms by order of Department of Homeland Security. Huh?


Big Brother asks you kindly to refrain from having a life on board the plane. In fact, if you really have to visit the WC and other people have the same urge…. You may be asked to take your seat. Homeland security states that you must not congregate anywhere on the plane….even outside the washrooms. Before boarding the plane we had a full body search and a not so private pat down.  Don't know if this will now be standard procedure for all planes entering the USA or if this was heightened security because of the (new) crisis in Libia. Whatever the answer we were the only plane leaving Nadi that went through the indignity.


So, with that, we have left the island(s).


I am writing this in a motel room in San Diego. Not a great room but it is clean, in a good location and, with the fan on, you can’t hear the highway. We have traveled a very long way from Mana Island, Fiji.


Yes, it is still a road trip, but the road has changed back to the one most traveled. I’ve always prided myself on taking the road less traveled but what can I say. Here we are back in the USA.


Our last few days in Fiji were quite idyllic. We spent the last couple of nights on Denareau Island which isn't really Fiji. I suppose it is the developer's dream of paradise. Certainly the resorts are luxureous catering to all our perceived 'needs'. As you sit next to the adult pool you can see two more pools, waterfalls, bridges, water slide for the kids, swim up bar and even the ocean. If you get bored here there is no end to the fun you can book. Yesterday we visited the shopping mall at the pier to purchase some gifts. Wandering around the tourist shops I couldn't help but think of Tupou, the woman from our village homestay. She travels almost an hour by bus to buy essentials (each week) including food. At the pier you are surrounded by non-essentials hastily tossed in shopping baskets kindly thrust upon yo by the staff. Oh, to be fair, they weren't really pushy, just eager for a sale.
If Fiji were closer to home I would love to bring my whole family here for a holiday. It is, for the most part, safe and beautiful.
If you travel to Fiji don't limit your experience to the resorts. Our homestay was pretty basic but living pretty much as the villagers do provides a great way to meet the people. If you can't take the time to stay in a village than at least do a day trip...it is a good option.

Back in the USA....
When we arrived in LA my little Prius started up and we headed south to San Diego. Didn't know what to expect and were pleasantly surprised. Found a place to stay across the street from Old Town which meant we could easily hop on the trolly to downtown. Took a day tour on our first day....kind of a hop off hop on tour. We walked all through the GasLight district down to the waterfront, past the convention center to the USS Midway which took us over three hours to go through. It is a decommissioned aircraft carrier now a floating museum. Most of the people who are explaining the different areas of the craft are retired navy. Great way to get out of the house for those guys...reliving the past and explaining the future (tough job). The other bonus is that we got a great view of the sailing races in the harbour. The teams that compete for the America's cup were racing (in smaller boats). The competition was fierce and exciting. They came so close to the pier and close to each other...actually a couple of tem collided while we were watching. They can turn on a dime. Took some great video! The next day, after wandering through Balboa Park, we walked down to the waterfront again to tour the Maritime Museum. Along with a couple of submarines (don't know how people can live in those little spaces) we toured two old sailing ships (one built in Nova Scotia and the other used in a couple of movies ) and took a tour of the harbour.
We ate (too much) great Mexican food by the time we left San Diego three days later. Found wonderful seafood at the waterfront, toured the huge Balboa Park, walked the soles off our runners and just had a good time. Felt good to get out and walk in the spring air. On our way out of town we drove through Coronado Island one more time to get some pictures of the old hotel and the beautiful beach, then drove down the peninsula to the Mexican border. Hung a left and hugged the boarder all the way to Yuma.
I can't imagine how tough it would have been for the early homesteaders to make in these rock covered hills. Somehow pockets of humanity managed to make a go of it. You pass the odd town with a few ranches but it doesn't get prosperous until you reach El Centro. Here they have diverted the Colorado river (in canals that proudly proclaim 'All American') to irrigate the fields. Poor little river is not much more than a trickle by the time it gets to Mexico.
There is nothing to see here but sand dunes, dune buggies, irrigated vegetable fields and a huge casino. Oh, I forgot to mention all the RVs camping in the sand. No trees, no water, no electricity just sand, more sand and a little scrub brush. In the distance you can see the huge fence that is the new wall protecting the USA from Mexico (and visa versa). And overhead you can see the helicopters keeping watch for escapees. All along the road there are border patrols and even the odd road block where they check the cars for illegals. Wonder when it will get to that on the Canadian border??
So, in Yuma where we are now there is a classic car show. Every old guy with a muscle shirt is in town for the event (hard to find a room and even harder to get some sleep!).
We are not in Kansas any more Toto. I look out at my little Prius nestled snugly in her parking spot next to all these muscle cars with flames and an acute lack of mufflers. All I have to do to turn my little car on is push the right buttons. These guys were pushing my buttons all night with their noisy comings and goings and I was anything but turned on!
From Yuma we made our way across more flat sandy desert through Case Grande to Tuscon for the night. Drove around Tuscon to see the old town and get a flavour of the place.
Tomorrow we will be in Buckeye Arizona for our two week stay with friends. Not sure when we will have internet again.
Will update again when I have the chance.  I've got the urge to go out and try to buy me some of those dangling fluffy dice for my rear view mirror.... think pink would be cute? Hmmmmm!