Fiji Redux: The Farm

As usual, Nana & Nani's farm along the Sigatoka River was home away from home. The photo above was taken from my bedroom window at dawn's first light the morning after arriving.

Even before meeting Errol Fifer and agreeing to help him market Fiji to independent travelers & backpackers, I'd wanted this trip to replicate a local's experience. That meant forgoing the rented 4x4 of last year's trip and taking taxis, buses & rides from strangers to get around. Leaving the Nadi Bay Resort for Sigatoka required a taxi to the Nadi bus depot, an hour-long bus ride to Sigatoka and then a 15-minute taxi along atrocious Valley Road to the farm. This pattern of transport was to be repeated throughout my month in the Fiji Islands.

My 'jija' Sidhaarth moves bullocks along Valley Road to a new paddock.
A most amazing man: My 82-year-old Nana behind a plough in will-weakening tropical heat & humidity.
A 40-year-old tractor is used to turn fields overgrown with grass & weeds. Otherwise, all farm work is done via animal & human toil.
Ajay mama, Ramesh mama and I planted over 2,000 tomato seedlings on land near the river late one afternoon. These rain clouds turned the field into row after row of chocolate icing.
View of the Sigatoka River after the rain passed.
Our wet & muddy work was rewarded with this sunset.