Flew to outer isle

Press, 24 April 1979, Page 24

Flew to outer isle

A fly ing visit to the island of Ovalau was the highlight of my Fijian holiday. For a modest cost, I was whisked over the crystal waters in a twin engined aircraft to an earthen airstrip in the midst of a lush green jungle. Passengers were taken in a mini-bus to the small town of Levuka, passing through tiny settlements asleep in the sun, the brightly coloured washing of the invisible inhabitants blowing gently in the warm breeze. We were dropped off at the island's only hotel, the wooden Royal Hotel with an unexpected Victorian atmosphere inside, complete with aspidistra plants and cane-pot stands.

A stroll down the main street made me wonder if the island was deserted; r but being siesta time, the I residents were inside | slumbering. A walk up the I mission steps, which are ! bordered by colourful cro- ' ton plants and masses of | beautiful orchids, gave the ; added bonus of a panoramic view of coconut j trees.. the wharf, and the * steeple of a century-old ■ church and a coral reef, j Shops with their quaintly I labelled goods, often with i clothing displayed : amongst bottles of Coke, I made the excursion even I more worth while. ■ —MRS B. J. OAKLEY, 52 Thomas St, ' Ashburton. I