Back in 2006 I returned to Fiji for the first time since 1974. That first trip was more for family holiday purposes, but this one had the primary aim of covering the surviving sugar railways of Viti Levu.
This blog is meant to be more aimed at non-transport topics, however, if you are interested in things rail and bus, feel free to mosey on over to my main Semi-Retired Foamer blog for more of such photos in coming weeks.

Plenty of places like to refer to themselves as paradise, but Fiji can truly claim the title.

Anyway, in between the sporadic passing of trains, we passed our time photographing other examples of Fiji life. Please enjoy....or not.

Lautoka Hotel Photo Removed By Blogger.
Don't Ask Me Why.

Lautoka Hotel, on Naviti Street in Lautoka, was our accommodation of choice. Good price, but very noisy on Friday and Saturday nights (at least it was in 2006).
Lautoka Hotel official website.

Back in 2006, the old buses were quite the tourist attraction in themselves.
We were lucky to be allowed permission to check out the depot of 'Naicker & Sons' to the south of Nadi.
Not sure of the situation in 2020, but beck then it was more than enough to cause unnatural stirrings for the classic bus fan.

OK, one train I guess.
Divers eye view from Lautoka Mill's Clyde locomotive #13.

Whole stick cane is still the norm in Fiji.

Another classic bus passes by Nadi airport.

Yeah, yeah, it is another train.

This old steamer, built by Hudswell Clarke in 1914, was on display outside Lautoka for many years. However, it was purchased and shipped to the United Kingdom where it now operates on the Statfold Barn Railway.

A rarity in 2006, and quite possibly still, was the cane harvester.
The tramway experimented, quite unsuccessfully, with rail mounted cane bins like those used in Australia. I believe they were non too keen to stay on the rails.

An awesome looking AL-516 passes our hire-car near Nadi.

To finish off this first set of shots.
Nothing quite says classic than a bus with a bonnet on the front. A few of these beasts were noted around Ba, but were gone only a few years later, as was our dream to hire one to take us around the whole island.

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Fiji Sugar Corporation SIG

Fiji Transportation SIG

Coronavirus Panic Buying Insanity.

It seems that no matter where you live in Australia, or overseas, the most pointless activity in our miserable little lives, is the act of going to the supermarket to obtain some bog roll (toilet roll for our overseas readers).
Not only is dunny roll (toilet paper for our overseas readers) absent from the shelves, baked beans, which is sort of related to date roll (toilet paper for our overseas readers) is gone, as is long life milk, tissues, pasta, pasta sauces, rice, bottled water, meat and, most disastrous of all, Coke (the drink).
What the Meerkat gonad has gotten into people?
 God, if you believe in such, what sort of savages will we turn into if this continues to get worse?
Customers have taken to using knives and shopping trolleys as weapons, in an effort to get their hands on some prize quality loo paper (toilet paper for our overseas readers), police needing to use tasers on people desperate to keep their rear cheeks clean.
For crying out loud, people need to be more like a good quality poo ticket (toilet paper etc etc), and get a grip.
Anyway, like our trip here to Woolworths Matraville, this post is probably quite pointless.
 However, photographing the endless empty shelves is now Sydney's biggest tourist attraction, and it would be POINTLESS taking all these and not inflicting them upon any poor cobber (person for our overseas readers) who have the misfortune of stumbling across this posting in the future.

Meat is a bit empty.

Pork and Lamb is a bit depressing. 

Certainly need lots of chips for the Coronavirus.

Long life milk be a wasteland.

Crispbread desolation. 

People are really off their noodle.

Half priced air.
Get in to Woolies before the imbeciles start hoarding that.

Something I have long thought strange about the Matraville Woolworths is their keeping of the eggs in the fridges. I can't for the life of me recall any 

other store doing this.
Maybe the management thing they are made of chocolate.
Oh, wait a sec, those are on the normal shelves.

Feel sorry for the poor petals looking for flour.

Even the backup dunny rolls are no more.

We are facing a thunderbox (toilet for our overseas readers) crisis of epic proportions.

Hmmm manchester.
In interesting alternative to our loo issues, and recyclable as well.

Oh heck, all those half price air specials are nearly gone.
I saw that woman fill up her trolley with it.

Nearly Done!

Sorry for wasting some 10 minutes of your 

life reading this.

However, before you go and do something more productive. I often find people outside Australia sometimes look at me blankly while I am speaking.
I mean, go into a Caloocan 'Mercury Drug' store and ask for a packet of dunny paper.
"What is that sir".

In order to help everyone who has to endure conversation with one of those people from 'Down Under', I thoroughly recommend 'KoalaNet' or the 

'Australia Day Aussie Slang Dictionary'.

Don't mention it, am always here to help you overseas blokes, sheilas, assorted wackers and other blow ins. 

Image from:

BAILEY'S GARAGE - GUNNING NSW

AUSTRALIA

Now for a little change from the usual coverage on this site.
Bailey's Garage, in the small town of Gunning (just off the highway between Goulburn and Yass), is one of those iconic places that never fails to grab my attention.
Opened by Frank Bailey in the 1920's, it is one of those rare businesses that will get to celebrate it's 100th birthday.

What initially grabbed my attention, many years/visits ago, was the Holden murals down the side of the building. Afterall, I was brought up a Holden fan, and taught to never acknowledge a FORD.
Bailey's Garage, which was later sold to the Southwell family, but retaining the name, was once the local area's Holden dealer. They did this quite well, with one year seeing them clock up 156 Holden sales.
Alas, like my interest in the Holden product (I now drive a Camry), the manufacturer departed the town.
Today their main business is fuel, oil and mechanical repairs. Lets hope it is still there in the 2120s.
Not that I will be around to know......

Bailey's Garage - Facebook Page

Article - Canberra Times

Article - Goulburn Post

Article - ABC News

Courtesy: Brian Rico Collection

QUEZON MEMORIAL CIRCLE
QMC is a large park situated in the middle of the world's biggest, and most crazy, roundabout (personal opinion, there is probably worse).
It's location made it quite convenient for a number of family gatherings. Of course, while they all sat and chatted, I would be walking around with a camera, aiming it at everything.
This year is the park's 42nd birthday, having first been created in 1978.
A lot more interesting information on QMC 
can be found here.

Can't possibly start a QMC post without a look at some of the beautiful jeepneys that are often parked there.
The future of the 'King Of The Road' is shaky at best, so the twelve years since this photo has been spent heavily concentrating of photographing as many as possible.
It was much more easier back in 2007. Today their is a rampant paranoia amongst the drivers whenever they see a camera around :-(
Still, I am a very determined photographer.

What becomes of old jeepney tyres?
My son decides to inspect.

Once seen with a camera, everyone wants their photo taken. 

Have still yet to visit this museum.
I really need to get my act together.

Scotty getting spoilt.

Bolinday and Brock on the see-saw.

PHILIPPINES - Magsaya
Because The Philippines Is Meant To Be Fun.

Quezon Memorial Shrine Gazette.

Quezon Memorial Shrine
Memorial Shrine Online

Frustration is trying to find your glasses without your glasses.