GPS: 17 45.430S 177 23.273E
Well we risked our lives again. We caught a local bus into Nadi. Sue was a little concerned about the loud bang every time the bus sped up or slowed down (faulty universal on drive shaft or shackles on rear springs). The bus could have done with new (or even old) shock absorbers. It would have stopped the body roll and bouncing. The automatic door flew open every time the bus slowed down and closed when speeding up. I can say it went into gear smoothly, at least twice during the trip.
The buses are quite cheap FJ$1.11 per person each way to Nadi, but you do need to have purchased an “ecard” before you get on the bus (not as easy as it sounds in some places?). Bus drivers are not supposed to accept cash although some still do but there are heavy fines if one of the inspectors catch you paying cash. Although the driver seemed to be very friendly with the few locals that had forgotten their bus card as he shook their hands!
Anyway we survived! We got more provisions for the trip and headed back to the boat (we chose a better bus this time although Sue would dispute that as the seat didn’t quite have all the screws it should have had to secure it!)