South Pacific Journey. Silversea, Silver Cloud. 4th May 2025 - Sea Day. 5th May 2025 Leleuvia Island, Fiji. 6th May 2025 Lautoka, Fiji - End of Cruise
Sea Day – Enroute to Fiji
4th May 2025
As the cruise came to a close, we had our final sea day – a bit of time to unwind before arriving in Fiji. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. Unexpected storms had rolled in, causing the ship to rock and sway, making for a rather rough ride. For most, this would have been a nightmare, but for me, sea sick medication firmly in place- it was the perfect excuse to enjoy a poolside day with a good book in hand.
In the evening, we had the Captain's Farewell and Crew Parade. It was a lovely way to end the cruise, with a real sense of camaraderie as we all gathered to say goodbye to the incredible crew who worked so hard and made the journey so special.
Arriving in Fiji
In the evening, we had the Captain's Farewell and Crew Parade. It was a lovely way to end the cruise, with a real sense of camaraderie as we all gathered to say goodbye to the incredible crew who worked so hard and made the journey so special.
Arriving in Fiji
5th May 2025
Waking up to the sight of Fiji on the horizon.
But before we could officially dock, we had to stop at Levuka on Ovalau Island for customs clearance. For those disembarking tomorrow, the process was a bit more involved – we had to line up for a full inspection from the Fijian customs officers. A long wait, then a thorough face-to-face inspection.
By 10:00, we anchored off Leleuvia Island Resort, and despite the warm weather, it was a bit overcast. The Zodiacs were on a constant shuttle back and forth to the island, and we were grouped into times for snorkelling at a designated area. To be honest, not many seemed interested in snorkelling, so the rules were a bit relaxed, and we spent the whole time exploring the coral.
By 10:00, we anchored off Leleuvia Island Resort, and despite the warm weather, it was a bit overcast. The Zodiacs were on a constant shuttle back and forth to the island, and we were grouped into times for snorkelling at a designated area. To be honest, not many seemed interested in snorkelling, so the rules were a bit relaxed, and we spent the whole time exploring the coral.
The underwater world was a pleasant surprise – the soft corals were stunning, almost otherworldly in their delicate beauty.
We snorkelled until the last Zodiac of the day was about to depart, and by 17:00, it was time to head back to the ship.
In the evening, the Expedition team held a farewell presentation. It was a lovely touch, and the highlight was the announcement of the winner of the photo competition – I should have taken this task seriously as the entries were rather unremarkable!
In the evening, the Expedition team held a farewell presentation. It was a lovely touch, and the highlight was the announcement of the winner of the photo competition – I should have taken this task seriously as the entries were rather unremarkable!
Afterward, we gathered for our final meal at The Restaurant, the ship's main dining room, and started packing our bags for the next leg of our adventure.
Lautoka, Fiji – The First Impressions
Lautoka, Fiji – The First Impressions
6th May 2025
The morning saw us docked at Lautoka, Fiji, an industrial harbour on the island of Fiji. It was a stark contrast to the idyllic images I had of tropical paradise, with warehouses and docks lining the waterfront.
The morning saw us docked at Lautoka, Fiji, an industrial harbour on the island of Fiji. It was a stark contrast to the idyllic images I had of tropical paradise, with warehouses and docks lining the waterfront.
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| Silversea, Silver Cloud |
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| Silversea, Silver Cloud |
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| Silversea, Silver Cloud |
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| Silversea, Silver Cloud |
We caught a local taxi to the airport – not to fly out, but to pick up our rental car from Eurocar.
This was where my first real impressions of Fiji took a bit of a turn. The landscape seemed a far cry from the lush, postcard-perfect beaches I had envisioned. Instead, we passed sugar cane fields, small shops owned by the local Indian community, and a series of temporary structures serving as housing. It reminded me a lot of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – a bustling, sometimes chaotic vibe - and I had travelled half way around the world to see something I was very familiar with!
It wasn’t the picturesque island paradise I had dreamed of, but there was something undeniably real and very familiar about it.
It wasn’t the picturesque island paradise I had dreamed of, but there was something undeniably real and very familiar about it.
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