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| Cars and trucks can easily fit inside the ferry. Prices vary by weight as shown here at the ferry company’s website |
In yesterday’s post, I’d placed a caption under an ocean view photo that sleeping accommodations weren’t available on the ferry that travels overnight from Vanua Levu to Viti Levu.
I was wrong in my assumption that there were no cabins available after hearing from locals about passengers sitting up all night for the overnight crossing. Usually, we’ll have investigated such facts and reported accordingly. We apologize for the error.
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| The ferry travels from Savusavu to Viti Levu once a day. It leaves in the afternoon, arriving at 5 am. |
This was nagging at me as being inaccurate. This morning, I researched online, now able to do so with a good connection, to discover there are cabins available on the local ferry departing from Savusavu as shown below with the information available at the ferry company’s website.
From what I can determine, these prices may not have been updated since 2011. Please call or check further for updated pricing:
| SUVA- NATOVI – SAVUSAVU RATES | ||||||
| PASSENGERS | VEHILCES | |||||
| Suva/Natovi/SSV | VEHILCE | Suva/Natovi/SSV | RETURN | |||
| CABINS | SENIBUA 1 | $256.00 (Ret-$512) | TYPE | 1 WAY | ||
| SENIBUA 2 | $256.00 | 40 Footer | $1,800.00 | $2,400.00 | ||
| SENIBUA 3 | $256.00 | 20 Footer | $1200.00 | $1,600.00 | ||
| SLEEPER | $86.00 (Ret – $172) | 12 Wheeler | $825.00 | $1100.00 | ||
| 10 Wheeler | $825.00 | $1100.00 | ||||
| 9 Ton | $675.00 | $900.00 | ||||
| 7 Ton | $650.00 | $850.00 | ||||
| 5 Ton | $525.00 | $700.00 | ||||
| 4 Ton | $525.00 | $700.00 | ||||
| 3 Ton | $490.00 | $650.00 | ||||
| ECONOMY CLASS | ADULTS | $55.00 (Ret-$110) | 2 Ton | $360.00 | $480.00 | |
| 19 – 25 yrs | STUDENTS – UNIVERSITY | $45.00(Ret – $90) | 1 Ton | $365.00 | $350.00 | |
| 14-18 yrs | STUDENTS-SECONDARY | $35.00(Ret – $70) | Under 1 Ton | $265.00 | $350.00 | |
| 6 – 13 yrs | STUDENTS-PRIMARY | $30.00 (Ret – $60) | ||||
| 3-5 YRS | TODDLERS | $15.00 (Ret- $30) | ||||
| 2 yrs and Below | Infants | FREE | ||||
Most likely, locals prefer not to bear the added expense of reserving a cabin when they’ve become used to the overnight crossing in order to visit family on the main island. The above prices are for a one-way crossing.
As shown, the cost of transporting a car can be pricey, although many locals don’t own cars, instead, using public transportation when visiting most of the villages on this island.
When we travel to Tasmania in 2016/2017, we may decide to take the ferry from Australia with or without a rental car, depending on which proves to make more sense at the time. We have plenty of time to decide.
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| Many boats are moored in the harbor, some for rent for tourist’s experiences. |
For now, we’re thinking down the road. We’ve located a possible rental to fill the last gap in our schedule while we’re in Sydney and will share details within a few weeks. We’re still checking out a few others possibilities and hope to make a decision soon, sharing details here.
In the past, we’ve found we prefer to be booked for a period of two years. At this point, we’re discussing possibilities once we leave the US in the summer of 2017. For most, this seems a long way off. With our way of life, booking well in advance is a necessary element to ensure there are good options available to us.
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| Sailing is a popular activity in the Fijian Islands. |
We’ve definitely decided on South America as our next foray into the unknown. With an endless array of options, we’ve been drawn to the massive continent for some time. After South America we could begin repeat visits to various continents but, we’re determined to explore Asia and its vast and varied options.
Upcoming next year, we’ll have a glimpse of Southeast Asia when we tour the Mekong River, a cruise we’ve already purchased and paid in full for with a two-for-one rate. Then, of course, we’re booked in Phuket, Thailand in 2016, another country in Southeast Asia.
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| One of the ferry boats servicing the islands. |
Way down the road, we hope to find our way back to Europe and Africa with so much more calling to us. The world is a huge place. There’ll never be a point we’ll be able to say, “We’ve seen it all.”
We face the reality that in years to come, health issues may have a bearing on this degree of travel and simply, may be too taxing for advancing age. We often mention our first cruise outside the US on January 3, 2013, when at dinner in the main dining room we met a lovely couple, well into their 90’s, continuing to travel the world. They were both still full of life and enthusiasm.
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| Captain Cook cruise ship that tours the Fiji Islands, based out of the main island of Viti Levu. |
The older couple inspired us, giving us hope that with diligent efforts for continuing good health, careful planning, and a positive state of mind, we could possibly continue on for years to come.
We remain grateful and, hopeful, as we treasure each moment, rain or shine, each and every day. Yep, it’s raining again today. But, we don’t mind at all. The nearby baby goat is making its usual plea for attention; the nearby cow is mooing, a multitude of roosters are crowing and the birds are singing. We don’t mind at all.
Photo from one year ago today, October 14, 2014:
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| With a bad cough and cold one year ago, I decided not to go to Pearl Harbor with Tom. I’d toured it many years ago, long before I met Tom. He ended having a great experience on his own taking, his time reading every printed word without me tagging along. For more, his excellent photos of Pearl Harbor, please click here. |