Fiji - Cyclone Gene

January 29 and 30, 2008

This is the view from our hotel room at the Sheraton Resort on Denarau Island, Nadi, Fiji where we are enjoying a lovely vacation. This afternoon we found out that a Cyclone is coming our way.



This is the pool area the day before the storm.



As the sun sets the sand begins to blow down the beach, and the palm trees begin to get whipped about in the wind.



Although the sunset is quite pretty, the upcoming storm will prove to be quite ugly.



The winds were gusting up to 130 Km per hour during the night and we could hear the roar outside of our ground floor hotel room. Some hotel guests, including some of our group, were completely flooded out of their rooms. The hotel once informed of the flooding, found alternate rooms for the guests.



The damage around our room was limited to the palm trees. Note in this picture below that the lounge chairs have been lashed to the palm trees by the hotel maintenance staff, in preparation for the storm.



Closer to the main buildings larger trees gave way due to the saturated soil and wind.



Flooding extended into the lower areas of the complex.



The pool, where we had enjoyed our morning acqucise classes has now flooded, and the water is nearing the main lobby.



As the storm rages on, the clean-up has already started.

News Paper Reports of Cyclone Gene

Cyclone Gene wreaks havoc

January 30, 2008 - 11:51AM

Authorities in Fiji have begun restoring power and water after Cyclone Gene struck the country yesterday, killing as many as seven people.

Sea and air transport was also restored across Fiji today, allowing tourists trapped by the storm to begin leaving.

Cyclone Gene created havoc across Fiji and caused widespread blackouts and flooding after it hit and strengthened to a category two storm.

Fiji's emergency services were yesterday called into action after homes were destroyed by the cyclone, and water and power shortages affected much of the country.

Mesake Mataitoga from Fiji's Disaster Management Office said power and water were now working in many areas affected by the cyclone, although it was unlikely services would be fully restored for some days yet.

Gene was downgraded to a category one storm today, and was on track to hit the Vanuatu island of Tanna tomorrow at 11am.

Mr Mataitoga said the death toll in Fiji could be as high as seven, although it was still unknown whether these were all directly related to the cyclone.

Among the dead were a 13-year-old girl who drowned while swimming in rough seas and a 16-year-old girl who died from an unknown illness, after her parents could not take her to hospital because of flooded roads.

An 81-year-old-man also died after his house caught fire, thought to be a result of a kerosene lantern blowing over in the strong winds.

Two men were electrocuted to death, possibly from powerlines that fell in the strong winds.
A fisherman was found dead in a boat, while a two-month-old baby is thought to have died while being evacuated from the storm.

Tourists at popular getaways in the Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands were today able to begin leaving the islands, said Lance Millar from the Nanuya Island Resort.

An Air Fiji spokeswoman confirmed domestic flights in Fiji, with the exception of those out of Koro Airport, were again operational.

International flights out of Nadi are also believed to be running on schedule.
Alipate Waqaicelua from the Fiji Meteorological Service said this morning Gene was about 490 kilometres east of Tanna Island, in Vanuatu.

He said although the cyclone had reduced in intensity, it could again strengthen before hitting land.
Source: AAP

Tourists stranded in Fiji as Cyclone Gene strikes
Article from: AAP
January 29, 2008 11:28am
TOURISTS in the popular Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups in Fiji have been stranded by tropical cyclone Gene, which killed two men when it hit last night.

Gene, a category two storm, formed just north of Fiji's second largest island Vanua Levu yesterday.

Overnight the storm strengthened from category one and struck the main tourist centre of Nadi about midnight (11pm Melbourne time), causing flash flooding and flattening homes.

Two electricity workers were killed when hit by falling power lines near Lautoka, north of Nadi.

The storm then tracked west and buffeted tourist resorts in the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups, as well as Vatulele Island, where there is a luxury resort.

Today those islands were warned to brace for gusts of up to 140km/h.

Abi Puisasa from the Beachcomber Island Resort, in the, said guests were unable to leave because rough seas made a trip to Fiji's largest island Viti Levu dangerous.

She said guests at the hotel were kept in a special dormitory last night to ensure they were safe as Cyclone Gene struck the region.

Fiji - A Great day on Beachcomber Island

January 27, 2008

The weather is warm and humid, the sky and the water are brilliant blues as we set out to spend the day on Beachcomber Island. Our transportation through the Mamanuca Island chain just off Nadi, Fiji is the Vasawa Flyer II, a "Big Yellow Taxi" of the aquatic kind.













We are amazed at the numerous small islands we see along the way, some just barely popping their heads out of the ocean. It is an idyllic scene and just what one would imagine a south pacific island paradise would look like.
















On some of the islands there are a few trees and buildings and on others there is just sand. On a sand bar similar to this one below we saw some people being dropped off - presumably for a day of Robinson Carusoe.



After about 45 minutes on the ferry, we transfer to small tenders then finally land at our beach. Beachcomber Island, which is a popular resort for young people, has such facilities as a restaurant, The Sand Bar with live music, aquatic rentals, a boutique and dorm type accommodation. According to some of the people staying on the island, the party really starts after the day use tourists leave.



We spent our time snorkling, and observing the fish feeding just off shore and just relaxing with a few refreshments. I had a really good time and spent most of my time in the warm water snorkeling from the beach. I saw way more tropical fish species and beautiful coral here than I did on the Great Barrier Reef. My snorkeling companion and one of the guys, who went snorkeling out of a boat a bit off shore said that they saw a small reef shark. I'm glad I didn't!

The fish below were photographed from inside a glass bottom boat.



These striped guys were near the surface hoping to get some of the goodies that the boat driver was feeding them.



Parasailing seemed to be a popular activity, but none of our group participated opting to spend the time in the water, or in the shade. A leisurely walk around Beachcomber island took a mere 15 minutes. It was similar to size as Bounty Island shown in the photograph below.



As we watch the parasailing some of our group has gathered on the beach waiting for the overdue ride back to the hotel. I guess they schedule was on "island time"



Finally our day is over and we head back out to the "Big Yellow Taxi" for our return trip through the islands to the harbour at Port Denarau. A great day, I would like to return to Fiji to spend more time snorkeling and spending time in the water!

Queenstown NZ - Paraglide

January 10, 2008

I never in a million years thought that I would jump off a mountain - even if there was a experienced pilot handling the ropes. But this is one of the most exciting adventures I have had in my 60th year - so far!

The take-off EH!

Originally my room mate and I were going to paraglide off the hill above Queenstown known as Skyline Peak, but the winds this January morning were a little too active in town. It was actually a good thing it was windy in town becasue after our morning of jet boating we were getting braver and both thought that we should have opted for Coronet Peak instead of the tamer intown site.

We were driven out to Coronet Peak the ski hill located in the Remarkable mountain range about 25 minutes out of Queenstown. I was amazed at how calm I was at the takeoff and just followed the directions of my pilot - and walked off the cliff! We caught some good thermals and actually climbed to the summit of the mountain, where we had a good view of the whole area on the backside. I was wearing shorts and my legs were freezing at these altitudes, but as cold as I was it was a fantastic sensation to fly, and climb, and turn with the power of the wind.


This is the "survivor" picture.

The ride was fun and we had a uneventful safe landing on 2, or should I say 4 feet

Shotover Jet - Queenstown New Zealand

January 10, 2008

After a short bus ride out of Queenstown we came to the picturesque canyons of the Shotover River. The first thing we did after we got our plastic cover-ups was to review the safety rules and the hand signals the driver would give to let us know when he was about to execute a spin.












The thrill seekers are suited up and ready for the adventure.














And awaaaay we go - down the Shotover River and through the canyons for 7 km. in about 7 seconds. Skimming the surface of the water and just barely missing the vertical rock cliff. Excitement!












The jet boat, equipped with a heated hand rail, is moving so fast over the cold water that my face is frozen in a permanant smile. On the first big 360, or was it 420 - I got a big dump of cold water down the back of my neck. No matter this was a thrilling ride.