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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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Wow..! Classic indeed.
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