Would you like to trade coffee for a speeding ticket?

On Friday morning at 4am, we left Suva for the last time in 2006. I must say it was rather relieving to be driving out of the city given all the current political tension. One of our students, Pita, kindly volunteered to drive us all the way to Nadi and bring the van back on the same day. However, Taubale was the driver to Nadi, and at about 5:00am shortly after we had stopped at a service station to purchase kona coffee, we were pulled over by the police for speeding, and the police officer showed the radar detector at 13km’s over the speed limit, and pulled Taubale out of the car and directed him to walk over to his car parked on the other side of the street. With our eyes straining to stay open, we watched and prayed as Taubale stuck hi head in the police car window and explained that he was late for his flight and in a rush to get to the airport. Surprisingly they said “ok well just give us our breakfast, and we’ll let you off”. Next thing you know we’re watching Taubale run across the road with the biggest grin on his face you’ll ever see. He got his kona coffee and ran back and gave it to the Police Officer saying “sorry I was drunk on this stuff”. It was the funniest let off we’ve ever seen.

After going through 7 Army check points, we made it to Nadi, and after dropping Taubale off we checked into the hotel were we are relaxing for two days before flying out on the 10th of December. Josh was stoked as we ended up having breakfast with Matt Gitteu from the Wallabies rugby team, and then later in the afternoon we spotted Joe Rokacoko, an all black, from our sun lounge, who are both staying here at present. We’re blessed to be here and we’re pretty happy with the “coup special” they gave us with over 60% off the normal rate. Apparently all Fijian hotels are due to drop their normal rates by at least 40% over the next week, right through to April. If you want a nice holiday, this is the place to be.

Well next time I speak to you we’ll be in New Zealand.