Fijian Tales - Of Wailoaloa Sunsets and Meeting Other Filipinos (Nadi)

Four hours was enough sleep for me. I felt recharged like it was a new day. It was 4 PM. I was going to recover within hours from my impending sore throat which, for me, was usually a prodrome for the flu. From my 3rd floor balcony, Wailoaloa Bay looked serene. 

The gentlest of breeze blew from the west while I took a walk on the beach. I'd sit on the sand and just gaze contentedly at the expanse of the Melanesian ocean. This needed to be taken in. There wasn't a dramatic changing of hues from the sky but the scenery was calming.

Kumustahan with Filipinos

Then I met 2 Filipinos taking a walk. I noticed they were eyeing me on their stroll. On their way back, I nodded and smiled which started the conversation. Teddy and Marlon work as aircondition specialists at an ongoing construction for a hotel and mall nearby. They told me they were recently at upscale Laucala in Taveuni where cottages cost US$6,000 a night for the cheapest rooms, contracted out for their services. They were flown to the resort and back to install airconditioners. 

The resort's owner is the Austrian big boss of Red Bull. Oprah Winfrey stays there whenever she's in Fiji. Actor Richard Gutierrez stayed there too. 

They also told me about the scarcity of chicken in Nadi, and Fiji in general. Fish is their staple source of meat due to the vast supply provided by the Pacific Ocean. In Fiji, it is fish and vegetables; root crops particularly like the kava, spinach, sweet potatoes, etc. 

Before Teddy and Marlon went back to "camp", they recommended Korean-run Grace Road Kitchen for their affordable and delicious meals. Grace Road is located inland, near the highway, about 4 blocks from Wasa wasa Road. I took note.

I waited for the last rays of the sun as they gradually faded. The sea turned from dark blue to black. Dusk in the bay is usually heralded by golden sunsets. It may not have gloriously immaculate fine white sands, but its sunsets are as majestic as they get.

Common room of Tropic of Capricorn Beach Resort. There's a pool (billiards) room too.

Wailoaloa is a coastal property in the airport city of Nadi. This map courtesy of Beautiful Holidays Fiji.

#fiji   #nadi   #southpacific   #vitilevu

Sunset Walk Along Subic Bay's Boardwalk (Zambales)

Sunsets in Subic are golden. The sheen and hue of the sun infect like a virulent strain of joy. I have been here several times, but this is the first time I wasn't in any rush. The beach promenade, aptly called boardwalk by the freeport zone, is gorgeous and nothing too fancy. In this area, near Mansion Garden Hotel, there's less commerce, which I prefer. 

From the hotel, it's a 3 to 4 blocks of stroll to this spectacular sunset viewpoint, passing through tree-lined Malawaan Park. Huge ships are found docked nearby. There's a tourist-friendly "Subic Bay" letter display near the breakwater. There are statues and hand-casts of politicians. I saw Meat Plus Cafe. The Reef Hotel and Residences have their highly rated Pirates Bistro. There are a couple of Duty-Free Shops beside Mansion Garden Hotel, and a Mini Stop beside the hotel. There's also a 7-11 nearby. 

In this strip of the boardwalk, people are more laidback compared to the more commercial area about a kilometer or two from here. I could just sit and watch the sun disappear into the mountain horizon. It's moments like these that are more precious than a checklist of sites to see. However, seeing some establishments closed shop, like the once-popular Legenda Hotel, makes me wistful. Like this beautiful day, there are ends to things that are transient.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Malawaan Park

Pirates Bistro (above and below)

Since this is duty-free zone, Vietnamese Coffee is available.

Meat Plus Cafe

Mansion Garden Hotel

My Mommy's House of Kare Kare

#subicbay   #boardwalk   #stroll   #zambales