day 66 Aug 29 Mackay

Predictably we wake very, very early and in the drizzle it is decided that we should drive to Mackay to have breakfast instead of attempting to cook in the wet. We park in the lagoon carpark and eat - the pool is not yet open which means we have to walk across the road to the shopping mall to use the facilities as al fresco wees are out of the question! The rain has stopped and we are the first people splashing around in the (quite chilly) water!  Our plan while we are in the area is to head inland and into the National Park at Eungella in the hope of seeing the elusive platypus - but given the weather and the fact that there are several creek crossings and potential "off road" sections which we are not really allowed to attempt in our van, it is decide that we should abandon this plan and continue on.
Our next camp is at St Laurence and we head off in the afternoon to find it. It is off the main highway and as we enjoy the views David suddenly gives a shout "Oh my goodness, I think I just ran over a snake!" We pull a u turn and are amazed to see a 6ft snake lying across the road, very obviously not runover, and very obviously still alive, catching the last few rays of sun and heat radiating from the tarmac. A quick photo session from the safety of the van and on to the campsite. It is here we meet an Australian family with 4 children (Poppy 3, Sandy 7, Rosie and Hazel) on a 3 month road trip through Australia starting in Victoria, up through the centre, through Northern Territories and down the East Coast. The girls are thrilled to be around other children and rapidly make new friends. It is heartening to hear their enthusiastic chatter recounting some of the experiences we have had so far and comparing camping notes!

And then came the rain, bucket loads of it!

Kula Eco Park and Sigatoka

Our room at Vakaviti, Coral Coast, Fiji

Today the rain disappeared and the wind dropped. By 10 am there was almost a cloudless, clear, blue sky and the temperature was rising. An early morning explore of the beach across the road from Vakaviti reminded us of the Fiji we were expecting. White horses crashing on the reef and an almost still lagoon with patches of turquoise water – we will definitely need our reef shoes though as it is a very corally beach. Later we were visited by Lai Lai (almost 3) and Ma. Lai Lai or Lily lives next door with her brothers Alfie (9) and Olly (7) and their parents - Brits relocated 8 years ago from Croydon, running 4 dive shops along the Coral Coast- Ma looks after the children while Alice and Alex are working and has done so for the last 8 years. Even in Fiji! Tomorrow she is going to bring fresh coconuts.

We strolled up the beach, spotting this beautiful heron and visited the Kula Eco Park which exhibits native Fijian wildlife. As with any attraction it came at a high price and we are almost certain that prices change depending on whether one looks like a local or a tourist! Tiegan really enjoyed handling the native banded and crested iguanas and the Fijian boa. 


Rowan took some convincing but succumbed eventually! We also see native birds, the Fijian Lory and the Red breasted Kadavu The temperature was perfect as we wandered through the park and climbed to the treetop walkway to look at the forest canopy.  A truly wonderful place.

 

Another trip into Sigatoka was needed as we have used up our daily allowance on visiting the park so need to eat in tonight! Shopping is still very much a multi shop experience - bread and fresh pizza from the Hot Bread shop, fruit and vegetables from the market and beer from the liquor store and sold in brown paper bags!









 We brave the local minivan service $1F per adult, 
children can sit on laps so as to pack in extra passengers, and we are driven at break neck speed the 10 minute journey back to Vakaviti visiting every pothole and bump along the way.