I've just had an amazing few days... Everything in Fiji starts with family and friends, so firstly I should introduce a few people: John and Marilyn are the owners of the Levuka Homestay where I am staying. They are also well known in the area, and are good friends with the rest of the 'cast'. George has just bought a second-hand Canadian Ferry, now called Lomaiviti Princess, and is going to provide a service around Fiji. Mun (George's Cousin) is working on...

On a bit of a whim, I decided to travel out to Levuka, the old Fijian capital. It is a very quiet, colonial town on the coast of the Ovalau Island. I've half an idea to spin anticlockwise around the islands, finishing back at the more tourist'y Nadi for my flight out in October. Rather than flying to Levuka, I decided to go by bus and ferry. Such journeys are routine for the locals, but a bit of adventure for the first timer. Where does the bus go from? The bus ...

Spent the night on Koro Island.

Arrived in Levuka to a beautiful room for a weeks stay.

That was a fairly major journey... Starting after lunch on Thursday in San Diego, there was a 2 hour drive to Los Angeles airport (LAX), trying to get the car there on fumes alone. When I'd finished, I had completed 4,800 miles in my USA road trip. Although I doubt that I will ever buy a Ford "Escape", my little red SUV did me fine. I checked and apparently it is going to be sold rather than returned or re-rented. "One careful lady owner" might not apply. A...