Exploring on the Explorer. Lautoka, Fiji to Broome, Australia

[highplanesdrifters]

LOOKING FOR THE OASIS

 

We transited through The AirPit also known as LAX. Nine hour layover. Grabbed a decent room at the nearby Hyatt and prepared ourselves for what was billed as Horror at TSA.  Fiji Air does not participate in TSA precheck. Clear was there, but not open. We endured the indignities of removing shoes and multiple pieces of clothing surrounded by screaming rugrats.  Oh the horror. But all was not lost, a new line opened up and we slipped through quickly.  

 

OASIS 

Fiji check-in was empty. Ahh, the delightful Fijians are even as happy, kind, and welcoming in LAX as they are in Fiji.  

 

We were tipped off to a hidden Rooftop Terrace in the Star Alliance Lounge by our check-in agent. Complete with firepits and waterfall.  Oh my, who knew I could enjoy waiting 3 hours in an airport. Gentle coastal breezes wafted in with a hint of the travelers aphrodisiac smell, jet fuel.

 

Fiji Air delivered an excellent product.  The wonderful sincre Fijians made us all comphy for the 11 hour flight. I even slept for 6 of them. 

 

Cheers mates.

 

We would be happy go this restaurant for breakfast. 

 

 

Sunrise welcomed us to Fiji. Sea level moist air.  Ahhhh!

 

Empty Immigration, double ahhhh!

 

Now we face the big question. It's 6:30 am. How long will we have to wait for our room?

 

Sofitel Denarau Island

 

 

Oh right, Sofitel is French, duh. While we wait,  pastries and coffee spot on. And some fresh blend tropical fruit thing which was inhaled immediately. And yes, we did get another Pain au Chocolat.

 

Stay tuned for the answers to the "Will our room be ready mystery".

[mysty]

12 minutes ago, highplanesdrifters said:

LOOKING FOR THE OASIS

 

We transited through The AirPit also known as LAX. Nine hour layover. Grabbed a decent room at the nearby Hyatt and prepared ourselves for what was billed as Horror at TSA.  Fiji Air does not participate in TSA precheck. Clear was there, but not open. We endured the indignities of removing shoes and multiple pieces of clothing surrounded by screaming rugrats.  Oh the horror. But all was not lost, a new line opened up and we slipped through quickly.  

 

OASIS 

Fiji check-in was empty. Ahh, the delightful Fijians are even as happy, kind, and welcoming in LAX as they are in Fiji.  

 

We were tipped off to a hidden Rooftop Terrace in the Star Alliance Lounge by our check-in agent. Complete with firepits and waterfall.  Oh my, who knew I could enjoy waiting 3 hours in an airport. Gentle coastal breezes wafted in with a hint of the travelers aphrodisiac smell, jet fuel.

 

Fiji Air delivered an excellent product.  The wonderful sincre Fijians made us all comphy for the 11 hour flight. I even slept for 6 of them. 

 

Cheers mates.

 

We would be happy go this restaurant for breakfast. 

 

 

Sunrise welcomed us to Fiji. Sea level moist air.  Ahhhh!

 

Empty Immigration, double ahhhh!

 

Now we face the big question. It's 6:30 am. How long will we have to wait for our room?

 

Sofitel Denarau Island

 

 

Oh right, Sofitel is French, duh. While we wait,  pastries and coffee spot on. And some fresh blend tropical fruit thing which was inhaled immediately. And yes, we did get another Pain au Chocolat.

 

Stay tuned for the answers to the "Will our room be ready mystery".

 

Off to an awesome start High!  Have a magnificent time!  I'm going to savour your adventure vicariously! 🥰

[highplanesdrifters]

17 hours ago, mysty said:

 

Off to an awesome start High!  Have a magnificent time!  I'm going to savour your adventure vicariously! 🥰

Thanks M.  Wish you were here! Today I will be searching for the famous Blue Turtle Gin.  Only found in Fiji.

[mysty]

2 minutes ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Thanks M.  Wish you were here! Today I will be searching for the famous Blue Turtle Gin.  Only found in Fiji.

 

And thank you for the heads up on Blue Turtle Gin.  It's now on my list of things to check out!  Good luck with your search! 🥰

[jpalbny]

Glad that your adventure is off to a (mostly) great start! I hope it only gets better from here. Enjoy Explorer, our first introduction to SS back in 2009 and still a favorite.

[Daveywavey70]

Wishing you amazing adventures hpd. May the road rise to meet you. 

[Stumblefoot]

Cool!  One of the last few remaining voyages on the Explorer.

[Port Power]

7 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Thanks M.  Wish you were here! Today I will be searching for the famous Blue Turtle Gin.  Only found in Fiji.

I’ve just read about this gin.  Sounds delicious.  If you read this before you go shopping, would you buy a spare for me please?  (As long as I can repay you in AUD.) Fiji is somewhere I won’t be going to again, even in transit.  I’ve never heard of Blue Turtle Gin before and definitely never seen it for sale anywhere.

 

But Fiji Air certainly sounds good.  Enjoy the first leg of your expedition.

[rojaan19]

We have sailed 7 times on the Explorer -  first back in 2010,  our favorite SS ship.

[highplanesdrifters]

On 4/24/2023 at 11:28 PM, Port Power said:

I’ve just read about this gin.  Sounds delicious.  If you read this before you go shopping, would you buy a spare for me please?  (As long as I can repay you in AUD.) Fiji is somewhere I won’t be going to again, even in transit.  I’ve never heard of Blue Turtle Gin before and definitely never seen it for sale anywhere.

 

But Fiji Air certainly sounds good.  Enjoy the first leg of your expedition.

I've got your back.😉  we are taking a taxi to the ship and the driver knows we are on a Blue Turtle Gin mission.  It is delicious.

[highplanesdrifters]

Thank you everyone for your well wishes. You have kept me sated in-between our little adventures.  I hope I can return the favor.

[highplanesdrifters]

Where is our next Oasis?

 

Great news! We were in our room before 9 a.m. The Sofitel is your typical beach resort with two sections, Family Friendly and Adults Only. 

 

Family Friendly offered up what looked like a decent Kids club. Lots of screaming and crying. Joy from grandparents coaxing the young ones to jump into the pool without water wings for the first time, and screams from those who had just lost a toy to a rival. Happy for them, but not my idea of a jet lag recovery zone.

 

 

 

The Adults Only side was chock full of Holiday Makers, Corporate Incentive Trippers, and chair hoggers looking to make the most of their short time away from their computer screens. I do not begrudge them their mission. But also not what I had in mind for transition to the ship.

 

 

 There must be somewhere for us to hide!

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

OASIS FOUND!

 

We booked our stay in the Adults Only section.  After exploring the area we found these mostly empty delightful beach cabanas and made our camp.

 

 

 

During the day staff would randomly arrive with cold water, refreshing drinks, and little snacks. There was a nap taken the likes of which I have never experienced before. A most pleasant Twilight Anesthesia is the only way I can come close to describing it.

 

 

A VERY HAPPY HOUR....ish.

We transitioned to the pool around 4:45 to order up Blue Turtle Gin and Tonics. This shot was take in the morning, hence the lack of Holiday Makers crowded around the pool bar.

 

To our surprise Complementary Happy Hour went from 5-6. Delicious concoctions and appetizers were plentiful and delicious.

 

 

We have thrown our lot in the the Holiday Makers and have forgotten what a computer screen is.

 

Your moment of Zen.

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

OK, so we had two moments of Zen.

[jpalbny]

2 for 1 Zen is even better! And "Twilight Anesthesia" sounds like something that you should patent as a cure for jet lag.

 

Off to make dinner but already looking forward to the next installment.

[highplanesdrifters]

21 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

2 for 1 Zen is even better! And "Twilight Anesthesia" sounds like something that you should patent as a cure for jet lag.

 

Off to make dinner but already looking forward to the next installment.

Is there a Doctor in the house to help administer Twilight Anesthesia?🤣

[highplanesdrifters]

Before I forget....Shout out to those on Seabourn Sojurn.  Glad you are all safe. @Sharkb8 Hope this includes you.

[Stumblefoot]

2 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Shout out to those on Seabourn Sojurn.  Glad you are all safe.

What happened to cause a concern for their safety?

[lincslady]

The photo of the two  loungers on the loungers is a winner.  Perfect capture of a moment to remember.

 

Lola

[highplanesdrifters]

3 hours ago, Stumblefoot said:

What happened to cause a concern for their safety?

 

[highplanesdrifters]

We travel for so many reasons. One is to learn about other cultures and meet interesting people.

 

Meet Fineau, our driver to the Port of Lautoka.  She has 7 brothers and sisters. There were 47 children at their Easter celebration.   She owned 3 cows by the time she was 21. She now has a house, successfull taxi business, 13 acres with 33 cows and too many pigs to count.  Her goal is to go live in Americe for 6 years. On her last day she wants to go to New York, the city that never sleeps. She was delightful.

 

 

 

 

And most, importantly she helped us find this!

 

 

 

[FauxNom]

This is lots of fun to follow, especially as I will be joining the Explorer in Cairns! Thanks for the reports.

[highplanesdrifters]

SLIGHT DELAY OF GAME

If this is TMI, just move on.  Travel God's did a U turn on me.  I've been in quarantine.  NOT Covid, whew! Three negative tests. Doc is chalking it up to some Acute Gastro catch all. Aparently quite common on cruise ships. Fever shot over 102, wouldn't leave. Delirium, wild dreams. Had visions of a Medjet pick up in Venautau.

 

Out of quarantine and on the mend. Your regularly scheduled programming will resume shortly.

[Stickman1990]

2 minutes ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Fever shot over 102, wouldn't leave. Delirium, wild dreams.

Good to hear you’re recovering 

 

Suspect you over dosed on Blue Turtle Gin 😉😂

[highplanesdrifters]

5 minutes ago, Stickman1990 said:

Good to hear you’re recovering 

 

Suspect you over dosed on Blue Turtle Gin 😉😂

Lol, one of my delirium thoughts was wondering if I could take my Blue Turtle Gin on Medjet.