Garden of the Sleeping Giant

We settled into our new digs nicely opting for a beachfront ocean view room rather than the villa - more glass and a better view plus the wifi reception is better up here. Made our way down to the pool and that was it for the rest of the day.  Had a very good quiet dinner in the resort restaurant watching the rugby tournament and listening to the local serenading.  USA lost to Fiji in the tournament but so far they are still in the running.

It is very overcast and muggy today so we thought it was time for a road trip.  In a nearby valley is the Garden of the Sleeping Giant.  Built by Raymond Burr in 1977 to house his private collection of orchards, it holds Fiji's many varieties of orchids, flowers, and trees.  Driving past sugar cane fields, mango trees, farms, and villages, we arrived just in time to take a stroll before closing.  Today being Sunday, we were surprised they would be open at all.  The nature trail is just beautiful but it was extremely hot and muggy.  We were more than ready to jump into the pool when we returned.  Hung around the pool for a bit talking to the only other couple there.  They are from England traveling around the world.  They are a bit concerned about the British Airways strike, as they are booked from Vancouver to Heathrow on BA.  We wished them luck.  Had lunch at the pool and plan to stay in again for dinner.

Big doings at the restaurant tonight.  The Sunday night band showed up and so did the folks from First Landing Resort plus the rugby finals were on the telly.  We watched USA lose to Australia and then Fiji lose to New Zealand.  The crowd broke up after that.  Dinner wasn't so good.  I think it is time to go home. 

May go to Lautoka tomorrow if the sun is not out.