Our two weeks in Suva have been spent dealing the importation of our Container, visiting with family, as well as squeezing in a bit of site seeing.
We thought that allowing a week to clear our container would be ample time but this is Fiji and what we think is reasonable will always need to be at least doubled. Last week the container was opened and inspected by a Biosecurity officer and a Customs officer. In order to do so we had to unload the container and then reload it again. Thank goodness we had 4 additional young men to help. Even with their help it took about 6 hours and no surprise it did not all fit back into the container. This week we’ve been waiting for the final paperwork so that the container can be released. Lots of trips down to our customs broker and to the Fiji Revenue and Customs office has allowed for lots of opportunities for site seeing.
This week we were invited to the wedding of Arthur’s niece Josephine’s oldest daughter Siteri. The wedding was held in Dravo village not far from Suva and was a traditional Fijian wedding with lots of family, lots of bright colours, lots of long speeches, and lots of good food.
Yesterday was both Fiji’s national day but also Arthur’s brother-in-law Tomasi’s 66th birthday. Family came from all over Fiji including Mere and children from Ba, Ili and cousins from Vanua Levu, and local relatives from Suva. Food was cooked in a lovo (earth oven) and was plentiful. The evening was spent around the yagona bowl with talanoa (talking) and lagasere (singing).
Today I’m repacking my bags in preparation for leaving for Nadi tomorrow. We’ll spend one night overnight in Nadi before I leave to head back to Canada for 6 weeks. The time has truly flown by.
