December 11, 2025
LEVUKA was our last port in FIJI and it is a town that seems frozen in time back to its whaling history of 1900's. Beach Street is the main drag with boardwalks connecting wooden one & two story structures, that even have the old horse tie post out front,(nowadays - park your car) but still, the place feels very old and stuck. The merchandise in the shops is very basic and limited. We all had Fiji dollars to use up - they are changing their printed money in January - so we can't keep to use next time around. So most of us hit the liquor and grocery stores, but even there, it was challenging to find items. Christmas merchandise is pretty non existence. Candy is from Easter and Halloween!
This was a tender port and the most iconic building in town is the clock tower, at Sacred Heart Church, across from their Independence monument.
Tourism is their biggest industry, but shockingly we were only the 4th ship they have had in Port all year. Australia, New Zealand and USA visitors are the top three visitors. There is a tuna packaging facility right next to the dock and they package for Bumble Bee.
Above is Ben's mom, Pauletta who is 99 (and turning 100 in a few months) our current oldest resident and she is holding Viv's grand daughter, who is visiting and just turned one year old. Pauletta said she just jumped into her arms when she saw her on the tender - so sweet! Love this moment! Sunset as we sail away from beautiful Fiji!
