A road trip to the Nadarivatu Highlands and Monasavu Dam; some of the highest parts of Fiji.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote “Its the not the Destination, It's the journey.” I know the phrase has become a bit of a cliche nowadays but it does repeating especially when you're in Fiji and obstacle after obstacle is invariably thrown in your way. Let me explain. Accompanied by friends, I was supposed to be visiting Monasavu Dam in the valley of the Central Highlands of Fiji. Years ago you could wander as freely as you liked - this being Fiji, after all. Not these days. Spoiler alert. We got to Monasavu Dam not only to be told we couldn't get a close look at it but also that taking photos and videos wasn't allowed. It was a security risk. Really? Apparently, a directive had come down from on high. Like I said, this is Fiji. It's hardly on a major international political fault-line. Despite that, we got to visit the sublime Nadarivatu Highlands, meet some fascinating people, experience some extraordinary microclimates, catch a glimpse of the turquoise waters of Nanuku River which feeds the dam, and see inside an eerily deserted colonial-era villa with chimneys! Oh, and I got to hear the "bark" of the Barking Dove (also known as the Barking Imperial Pigeon) which is endemic to Fiji. I would have relished the journey just for the Barking Dove. It was a glorious day and the company of Mike and Molly was equally glorious.

[@Angelo-fz6sv]

I was an Australian volunteer in Ba in 1979-80. Visited Nadarivatu a couple of times and stayed in the guest house there. It was a wonderful cool place to visit and get away from the heat. I had a motorbike at the time and an American Peace Corps friend and I rode motorbikes through central Fiji from north to south. The Monasavu dam was under construction at that time and there was no road for some of the trip. We had to rely on friendly locals putting our motorbikes on the back of a truck and carrying them across a river at one stage. Nevertheless we made it all the way to Suva. It was quite the adventure. It's a great piece of nostalgia to see this video. Thank you.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

So glad you enjoyed it. Fiji was a very different place at that time. You must have so many more wonderful stories. 🫶🏽😃👍🏽🙌🏽

[@lukeqeleca2395]

I once served in one of the remote nursing station of Nadarivatu, its a very challenging experience and has taught me a lot of life lessons that is to live in content with whatever little things you have...your Vlog has bring back some of those good old memories I have of Nadarivatu...Really appreciate it Sir...much love.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Well said, Luke. Thank you for that wonderful story.

[@northernshark1579]

Totally agree, Luke, I remember coming from Suva to stay there, only to realize that the TV signal was so bad up there..lol..I had no chance but to look to nature for entertainment.Had my first tv detox up there haha

[@maxnjennetmaloca9147]

That old colonial house was for DO and I remembered growing up there as my dad used to work for forestry department for 10 years in nadarivatu. Used to be a beautiful compound where we played hide and seek and cowboys!thank you for your beautiful video takes me back to my childhood memories.vinaka

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Oh wow! Vinaka! Thanks for sharing. You grew up in such beautiful surroundings. The views in either direction are epic.

[@kujinai123]

Thanks for the video my dad used to work for the Forestry Department in the 70s we still have pictures of that guests house at home with us we used to spend most of time out there when i was a baby i show the video to my mum she was too happy to see it she's 83 year old now and still remember the place vinaka vakalevu.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

That is such a wonderful story, Maikeli. Vinaka. There were so many fond memories generated by this vlog. I intend to go back to have a look at the other dam plus small things I may have missed like the stone bowl at the place where the Sigatoka River starts.

[@apisaimoce1330]

Thanks for documenting your trip to Nadarivatu and Monasavu .... You were talking to my big bro (maroon gas car) and my old man (silver pick-up truck) by the waterfall at the foot of the mountain before you ascend to Nadarivatu ....

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Vinaka, Apisai! Do you have a mobile number for either one of them? My friend Mike and I would like to camp on Mount Tomanivi one of these days or walk down the hill to Nanuku River.

[@oripabiumateiwai5645]

Isa thank you so much for this documentary it's been 25years since I've been at Nadarivatu with my mom and dad and 2 siblings. Great memories ❤❤❤God Bless you

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thank you! I want to go back there. 😃😎🇫🇯 So much to see. 😃

[@verastastny1974]

Thank you for a wonderful video showing the beauty, lushness and interesting weather patterns which create the two different sides of Fiji. It must have been amazing experiencing that immense cloud " barrier /wall" being immersed in it!!! Beautiful music as well and nice meeting the friendly, warm people of Fiji. 😊 Keep sharing and thanks.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

It was fascinating, Vera. To finally see with my own eyes the much-talked-about cloud bank that hovers along the mountain peaks dividing two micro-climates was special for me. 😃😃

[@LuLu-fd9bo]

Ohh wow thank you for this lovely lovely video. We take for granted how beautiful our country is until we see it from a far. The Views 100% Amazing! Definitely a place to visit when we come home. Love how to stop to point out the littlest things about nature from trees to mists and washing by the road side❤️ Vinaka xx

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Couldn't agree more, LuLu! There is ao much unexplored beauty here. Thank you for those lovely comments.

[@salaseinidicake589]

isa bula vinaka and thank you for the wonderful video, my father was serving at Nadarivatu Govnt station as the district officer from 2016 till april 2022, we stayed in that old colonial house. had a lot of memories and my younger siblings literally grew up inside that house. we always go up to Nadarivatu every weekend. so many memories. thank you s much

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Vinaka, Salaseini. Thank you for that lovely glimpse into the past. 😃👍🏽✌🏽👌🏽😎

[@sanicagilaba342]

Beautiful scenery.I'm from the south of Fiji and your videos have made my day👊

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

So glad you enjoyed them. 😃👍🏽🇫🇯

[@philsimmsy6975]

View at 47.12 is awesome !Remember a primary school trip to Nadarivatu in the mid to late 60s, we camped overnight in a small basic hut by the unpaved roadside somewhere, assuming it was owned by the CSR where my dad worked. I vaguely remember lots of fog, misty mornings and the cold, sadly was my only experience of the beautiful highlands, maybe one day Ill return!

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

You're right. The views are quite extraordinary. I was surprised how good the road was going up into the Nadarivatu Highlands. Some parts (especially on sharper inclines) were paved. We went up in a 4-wheel drive. There were ordinary cars up there too.

[@nirensharma993]

Azeem , incredible, I am sitting at home and watching it, ( Sydney)every bit of memory came back as I was in the team doing feasibility study of monasavu dam,initial mapping with PETER RODDA , GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF FIJI. WATER FALL FOND MEMORY OF ❤️, SINGING JIM REEVES ,ABBA AND ELVES,AND KISHOR MOHD RAFI ECT 🙏 & Fiji bitter.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Wow! You certainly have some wonderful memories of the place. It’s a shame I couldn’t film the dam itself. I’m hoping to go back out there next year to camp on the shores of it. 😃

[@joelitemo6984]

That old colonial home used to house the District Officer Nadarivatu in the 80's..enjoyed watching your vlog,takes me back to my childhood memories😍

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

So nice of you, Joeli. Vinaka. There are lots of places like this in Fiji with old colonial memories. Levuka is one. I'll be going there for a series of vlogs.

[@joelitemo6984]

@@ThePaleBlueDot can't wait for that episode Vinaka

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@joelitemo6984 Vinaka, Joeli.

[@risiateb]

Thank you for this. Quite insightful even for those of us who are from and live in Fiji - but have yet to explore the country. Good job.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

My pleasure, Reece! And thank you for the compliment!

[@Officialaxelsword]

It's sad for them to stop us from taking pictures.I grew up in the area before I migrated overseas.We used to go catch Tilapia fish there

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Absolutely right. The paranoia about taking photos stunned me. This is Fiji, after all, not North Korea.

[@Officialaxelsword]

@@ThePaleBlueDot it's getting out of hand back in my days there were no phone camera’s.I mean this time we want to keep memories of the place we used to go, with our mates reminiscing the good olden days but we can't.Its plain stupid...

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@Officialaxelsword 100% agree with you. One of the landowners did tell me we were welcome to camp on the shores of the river on which the dam sits but away from the dam itself.

[@northernshark1579]

@@ThePaleBlueDot , I think the reason they stopped you was because during the 2000 coup, the dam was an one of the major takeover by George Speights allies.

[@birendsinghfxuzethhczeulik1257]

Remember going with my dad who was carrying fuel all the way from Suva to the pumping station..got photos of it..he had grog with the villagers..tricky going up in the rains. Dad's no more and i am in Sydney..thanks for your efforts 👍

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

No problem. 😃👍🏽 Must have brought back some fond memories for you.

[@millygavidi9222]

Thank you Mr Khan for the vlog..very Educational and interesting to see that difference in vegetation type between the East and West.Wowwww just Wowww.Its just amazing to see the other parts of Fiji and it's Geographical Location.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

My pleasure, Milly. Glad you liked it. 😃

[@campingandoffroading9094]

I recently enjoyed watching your videos and others, in this video particular the end, u were showing 1 bungalow, where u found a fire pit etc, my father used to go and repair .He was working in EGM,Vatukoula, and he was a carpenter . The only thing I am not sure about when it was built , but my great grand father came as indentures labour ,was saying he was cooked for white people ,and he used to say,he worked in , कोठी , meaning bungalow. Thanxs .

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Glad you enjoyed it. 👌🏽🙌🏽🫶🏽😃 The bungalow is a bit run down now but it could easily be done up and made habitable. I would love to live there.

[@dianadeller7579]

They are all so friendly! That’s Fiji for you!!! Miss 🏠 home ❤️❤️

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Yes, always so friendly! 😃👍🏽👌🏽✌🏽

[@sercirokovatuniulelekitoga7931]

Isaa vinaka for the video. I remember this place, the road ,.we went there way back in the 80s..its where my dad passed while working for Barclays Company doing underground construction for the dam 1982.isaa brings back memories..isaa

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thank you for sharing. 😃

[@watsisbuttndo829]

The pride of the locals shows through in just how tidy their villages are. Beautiful. The buearacracy not allowing you to take photos or go near is odd though, its just a dam, what's to hide?

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

The villages were beautiful. The madness in not allowing us to take photos/videos of the dam or get any closer than standing a long way off is inexplicable. You can visit the Hoover Dam in the US without any issues. This isn’t the first time I’ve encountered silly bureaucracy in this country.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

The villages were beautiful. The madness in not allowing us to take photos/videos of the dam or get any closer than standing a long way off is inexplicable. You can visit the Hoover Dam in the US without any issues. This isn’t the first time I’ve encountered silly bureaucracy in this country.

[@tanielaturaga1860]

@@ThePaleBlueDot what are other silly bureaucracy have you encountered in Fiji?

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@tanielaturaga1860 There's so much. Now apparently a permit is needed to take drone videos/photos in Suva!

[@John-ww3ji]

Lovely! God bless our beloved beautiful Nation Fiji Islands. Keep safe for we are Sojourners in this world.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thank you! We are indeed sojourners in this beautiful world. 😃👍🏽✌🏽🙏🏽👌🏽

[@taimamaqa6705]

I live up the hill where the turn off to where Fiji water is, I don't go home much but last time I drove past your friends place I wonder who is this guy that has turned this dry bare land to this magical place. Little did I know fella works for a dive company in Denarau if I'm correct, I used to manage a day sail tour there a few years back. Great content... Superb Job 👍

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

100% correct, Tai. He's been a good friend since he first arrived in Fiji years ago. He's done some amazing things with the land he's on.

[@babitanarayan2497]

First of all thank you for sharing such an incredible video. I love everything about this video, from your friend Mike's beautiful house, your and your friend's road trip to Nadarivatu, Highlighand and Dam and most of all interesting weather up there and fireplace in one of the abandon bungalow. Fireplace inside the houses in Fiji bit sound like hmmm. I can imagine how beautiful is up there. Thank you again for sharing Azeem

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

It was such an amazing day out, Babita. And to see the weather change so dramatically as we reached the peaks around Monasavu was especially interesting. To know it was sunny and dry in the West but overcast and rainy in Suva and we were passing through that dramatic microclimate was an incredible experience.

[@northernshark1579]

That old colonial house was built by Ratu Sukuna’s European friends as it was his favorite retreat, as he dealt a lot with landowners in that province. Fijitime article “Lost In the Mist of Time” (15/2/15)

[@deborahnaivaluwaqa2985]

Nadarivatu is colder than some countries overseas....which is why all homes up there need fireplaces!!

[@claudmatty8440]

Some stunning views

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Those views were just amazing. 🤩 I’ll be going back out there to camp along the shores of the river feeding Monasavu dam to make another vlog.

[@rorynesta7766]

Another great video that brought back so many memories.When they mentioned the barking dove,it immediately occurred to me that it was the Peale's pigeon.I remember reading about it in class 7 and that there was a hunting season for them.Never been to Monsavu but my dad has,as part of the FEA (Fiji Electricity Authority)

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thanks, Rory. I'm looking to go back there as soon as feasible to see the other dam much talked about that I overlooked. In a future vlog, perhaps next year, I will aim to camp on the shores of the river (resembling a lake) which feed the dam. There is a path down to it.

[@northernshark1579]

@@ThePaleBlueDot , can you check the pool right under Mt Lomalagi, behind the school? It’s named after Ratu Sukuna.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@northernshark1579 Thank you. I had no idea. I’ll be going back there next year and I’ll check it out.

[@northernshark1579]

@@ThePaleBlueDot , while I was there, it had an table for picnic and a changing room. The pathway too had cement pave going to the pool.

[@pecelirovucago7149]

Hi, thanks for your trip up to Nadarivatu as it brought fond memories of camping in the mountains to construct the transmission 11,000 voltage line from Vatukoula to Koro o and South Ridge towers. I am over 80 years now and can’t remember the name of the Fiji telephone company. That was in 1968, and later the M/Dam. FEA was a small company, but it grows with time to bring electricity to every household! I think I am the only surviving member of that team, not sure. Hope to meet you someday!

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Wow! Thank you, Peceli, for that highly evocative memory. I believe the Fiji telephone company was once known as PNT (Post and Telecommunications) although I’m not 100% sure. Would love to meet with you one day. 😃👍🏽✌🏽👌🏽👍🏾

[@John-ww3ji]

Dazzling on approach and landing indeed.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

It is indeed. Beautiful place.

[@whooshkaboomie]

I would love to purchase that old Colonial home on that hill, restore it to it's Glory days and retire there happily. The fire places will be put to good use on those cold Nadarivatu nights.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

The view from there to the coast in one direction is simply breathtaking. In the other, you have the spirit path. Mount Tomanivi isn't too far away. Personally, I would buy the house to oversee an estate growing grapes in the area for a winery!

[@fijilanguagetutor]

I heard stories from my dad that the old colonialists built houses in the highlands where they would escape to during the hot humid summers… thanks for proving the story true🌺😀… I can picture dainty white ladies and English gentlemen sipping wine in the evening in that white colonial house with the fireplace glowing warmly in the chilly Nadarivatu nights

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@fijilanguagetutor Very evocative! Don’t forget toasting muffins over a log fireplace. Although there is a lot I’d do to change the house, I’d love to live there. 😃

[@northernshark1579]

@@ThePaleBlueDot , I live in California, and one of my life long dream is to buy and renovate that house and convert it into an winery. Looks like someone has bet me to it 😉😂👍

[@leibale2098]

Hiked up mt Tomanivi last year ,was such a challenge but loved it at the end, the views are breathtaking ..and whole trip aswell. Nice video and enjoyed your storytelling sir 👏👏

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Now that's a trip I really want to do: to climb and camp overnight at Tomanivi. Watch the sun go down and come up. I'm spacing myself plus waiting for some camping equipment that I should get my hands on by the end of the year.

[@prophet1782]

20:58 Mr Khan you showing this to Fiji is Volumes/Phenomenon. Fiji { main Island Viti Levu} since history knows the dry western side and wet southern side. And the Mt Range in between that blocks the rain clouds coming from the South. Here you showed it Physically. It is indeed Volumes . I Salute you Sir. Thank you so much. !! You deserve every praise.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thank you ever so much! Seeing that long bank of clouds was one of the highlights of the trip. 😃👍🏽👌🏽✌🏽

[@northernshark1579]

Stk, That Old Colonial house was actually built for Ratu Sukuna, as it was one of his favorite retreats. There’s an pool there behind the school named after him, it’s natural streams looks similar to Coloi-Suva.My uncle was a DO their around the year 1999-2002, and to best describe it’s former beauty, it be like the scene from The Lord of the Rings of the Elvish Kingdom, Riverdall. It was that beautiful.I would remember coming into the front gate, there were pine tress scattered with tall grass on both sides as you were driving in.I came there a week before Christmas with my uncle and his family.I still remember on Christmas Day, me and my cousins had our presents under the Christmas tree that was placed right next to that first chimney you saw, that was the sitting room.Man, it was really an joyful Christmas, I was tasked to serve kava to my uncle, and I had my back on that chimney as it was freezing.That house had five rooms, and the place you saw the second chimney, that was my uncles room.That house also has an bathtub, I was shocked when I first saw it, and two toilets. One food storage room and equipment room, both which were facing towards the front. On that same side, at the very end on the right wing of the house, is the kitchen.Actually, the house looked like those old hotels in Levuka, and the whole yard had those nice bushes you can trim surrounding the compound, it was nothing what I’m seeing now it’s open, back than there used to be pine tress a whole lot of them blocking the view 37:45-40:26 on that side and around the back, at the back 49:35, I don’t know if you saw an rocky trail going down towards the road, close to the school’s entrance, it leads to an small house building, that was my uncle’s office.Boy, I can go on talking about it’s former glory,but at the same time, Im sadden to see how it has turned out.I hope the government can restore it and preserve it like an landmark, as it has unique designs and historical significant

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Many thanks, “northern shark” for that extensive reply. I can see in my mind’s eye that world you experienced even down to feeling chilled with the cold evenings before the fire in the fireplace was lit. The whole place has a really magical charm and I hope to go back next year to explore more of its fascinating allure. 😃

[@northernshark1579]

@@ThePaleBlueDot , if you want some photos, give me your Facebook name.

[@rajreddy1220]

Wow another fantastic video Mr khan beautifully presented and narrated what a wonderful part of Fiji a must too visit Thank you ❤👍👍👍

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Vinaka Raj. I'll more than likely go back as soon as I'm able to hike to the top of Mount Tomanivi, record the sunrise, birdsong and take more detailed drone shots of the river on which Monasavu sits.

[@rajreddy1220]

Can't wait for that video the drone shot from the mountain overlooking the water will be absolutely amazing out of this world

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@rajreddy1220 Thank you, Raj. I wanted to take my drone out right over the Nanuku river but I was nervous. I’ll be more adventurous next time. 😃😃

[@Bdamuni]

Thanks mate enjoyed that especially the aerial footage of Nanuku River..keep it up buddy🙂

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

I know. Amazing, right?

[@jaleqicatabua]

Thank you for the lovely video. Awesome.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

So nice of you, Jo! Vinaka!

[@user-du1gf5fe7y]

Thank you for sharing this video bring back memories of my childhood at my Koro Nadala Nadarivatu ❤

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

My pleasure! 😃 Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did going out there. I had a wonderful time.

[@meridozzrokotuiveikau5036]

So great that you have manage to set foot on some of the well known places in Fiji that even Fijian haven't been to. So sad that you did not manage to take the phot of the dam but you should have ask the 2 gentlemen that you met from the Waikubukubu waterfall, they are my uncle and granfather and we are the proud landowners of the Monasavu dam. they could take you right to the dam to see it at least, but anyway thankyou for showing Fiji how the ride up to Monasavu dam is like.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Vinaka! I regretted not getting their phone numbers. I'd like to go back there and, having done the "sevusevu" with the landowners, camp on the shores of the Nanuku River which feeds the Monasavu dam but away from the dam itself. If you have the phone number of ether gentleman please could you inbox me. Vinaka.

[@paulkoilolo4918]

Those African Tulip trees were said that the First Fijians carried with them after leaving Lake Tanganyika searching for new land in the Pacific .Its recorded in some Fijian oral history

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thank you, Paul. There are certainly some fascinating local oral stories about the African Tulip.

[@prophet1782]

Paul Koilolo... WOW ! Interesting. Re the African tulip. 13:20 Rainbow Eucalyptus.

[@avikashnadan]

Any idea when that was. Around which year I mean?

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@avikashnadan Late June.

[@avikashnadan]

@@ThePaleBlueDot at least 3500 years ago

[@cozzyinternet4706]

Beautiful!! cheers for sharing!!

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Glad you enjoyed it. 😃😃

[@katiec7391]

Great video with amazing views. Miss Fiji already!

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

There is so much potential in this country, Kate. I only wish it could be better tapped. 😃

[@user-sx6gd8zc6y]

Azeem beautiful Musical Accompaniment

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thank you! 🙏🏽 😃

[@ananaiamoreni2376]

Just ..imagine how it was built those years.....a skillful colonial designed .. building in the mid rain forest Highland of Nadarivatu...when I drove by I took a glimpse...on my way back I was asking myself...."'the natural geographical layout of Nadarivatu Highland ..why it was built and for what purpose??? but anyway my friend it's nice to see those tropical rain forest again where you can expect the natural full-time air conditioning atmosphere.. vinavalevu

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Bula Ananaia. I’ve found out that the house was used as a family home by the family of Sir Hugh Ragg, a hotelier in Fiji, when the weather on the plains was hot during the cyclone season. Those lush forests were indeed beautiful. So too was Monasavu from up top looking down. But the highlight was seeing that bank of cloud that told me it was raining in Suva though dry in the West.

[@ananaiamoreni2376]

Oh.....yes my friend now I've got the answer ...I visited the area way back 1990 /2000 those questions were lingering my mind ...came across your respective clip..it's like being there yesterday and finally got the answer thanks my friend.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@ananaiamoreni2376, there is so much history out here that’s waiting to be rediscovered. Both ancient and modern. Absolutely fascinating.

[@ananaiamoreni2376]

yes..that's great .....it's educational also ..looking at such a clips .... like me i was back from there but got the answer today yes by coming across your clips... hoping for more clips such as this.vnk

[@inokesoko9848]

Thankyou. found it very interesting seeing it from someone èlses eyes. also info on plants and animals. vinaka vKalevu

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Glad you liked it, Inoke. Lots more to come. 😃👍🏽✌🏽

[@libravenus1966]

Love your videos Sir💙🇫🇯

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

So glad! Lots more to come! 👍🏽✌🏽👌🏽😎

[@kayer3374]

Beautiful❤️🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thank you so much 😀

[@maikatupua8228]

Isikeli the nursery man was very sincere!!

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

He's such a nice guy.

[@joanatawase2897]

Lovely bro.👍✌

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thank you so much 😀

[@salotemausio7510]

Fantastic video! A shame you couldn't film the dam itself but we've been over-compensated with the rest of the footage.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

That's very thoughtful of you to say so. Thank you, Salote.

[@manasatawalesu391]

Enjoyed your videos.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Awesome, vinaka and thank you, Manasa! 😃👍🏽👌🏽✌🏽

[@geewah9736]

Thanks for another great clip! Could have taken some Scotch for the cooler weather up there. While we drank grog in Ba, our gase-ni-volli (teacher) friend told us they drank a dram or two of good ole Johnny Walker when he taught at the school up ni the highlands...

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

I would love to take a bottle of JW and camp out there overnight. What a treat that would be! Listening to birdsong while downing a shot of Scotch! :)

[@yungming2046]

awesome love from uk

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thank you! Cheers! 😃😃😃

[@VK-ky1ll]

At 12:27 there's a piece of history you missed along there. it's where the Sigatoka river starts.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Wow! Thank you for that bit of info! I do remember reading something along those lines but I didn’t know where to look. 😃🇫🇯😎👍🏽🙌🏼

[@VK-ky1ll]

@@ThePaleBlueDot if you play this video until you reach 12:27, you'll be able to see that place. There's two stones there and the stones are fenced around.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@VK-ky1ll When I go back to Nadarivatu (which I'll do probably next year) I'll keep a lookout for it.

[@gr8wh8orca53]

Where would you be without Mike 😂. Vinaka Vakalevu for this breathtaking journey. Monasavu Dam see you next time :)

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Mike is a star!!

[@gr8wh8orca53]

@@ThePaleBlueDot He is ay? Keeps the trip alive even when things don't go according to plan. You guys gel well, which makes any trip memorable 👍👌

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@gr8wh8orca53 He’s a good mate from way back. Terrific guy.

[@gr8wh8orca53]

You can tell he's fun to be around 😂. I wish you both an everlasting friendship, strong with compassion. Reminds me of Frodo & Bilbo. Take care my friend, we'll catchup on you two's next adventure 🙏👍😀

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@gr8wh8orca53 Hilarious!😂😂 I’ll have to tell Mike that we’ve been compared to Frodo and Bilbo!!

[@claudmatty8440]

Your driver is always eating lol

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Mike is always eating! Lol. 😂 😂

[@prophet1782]

39:09 It is cold {very cool} even in the daytime. The creek waters are icy cold.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Next time I go there i'll take a dip.

[@hamishkhan7820]

Nice Vid

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thank you! 😃

[@wv4812]

Your video at 12.27mins...the fence area with a bench inside and a few rocks is the source of the Sigatoka river...

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thanks, "WV". Yes, I didn't realise at the time but it was pointed out to me later. 😃👍🏽✌🏽👌🏽

[@prophet1782]

WOW !! That's significant.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@prophet1782 very considering how wide and long the Sigatoka river is.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@prophet1782 very considering how wide and long the Sigatoka river is.

[@antoniononu6072]

the mountain wh6ere all th6e clouds rested isnt th6at th6e h6ig5h6est mountain in Fiji? Mount Victoria?

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Yes. It used to be called Mount Victoria. Now it's called Mount Tomanivi.

[@apisainagata4967]

Great video....if only you visited the other Dam (Power 4 Dam).

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Vinaka Apisai. I'm a little confused. How many dams are there?

[@apisainagata4967]

@@ThePaleBlueDot the second dam was the one that the fijian guy mentioned. The road that turns right when you leave Nadarivatu for Monasavu.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@apisainagata4967 Ah, ok. I thought so. How does it compare to Monasavu? Is it smaller?

[@noqitahila7270]

iiiisaa first water fall near Nawaikubukubu village

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

The villages up there are so picturesque. 😃😎

[@texmataika9945]

I saw you at the University Inter tertiary games last week...I didn't know you were a famous youtuber

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Bula Tex! Yes, I was there. Did I say hello?

[@texmataika9945]

@@ThePaleBlueDot no sir! I apologise, i didn't say hello either. I saw you filming and I didn't want to disturb you. I just thought you were a tourist who happened to come and watch the games.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@texmataika9945 remind me next time. 😃🙌🏽🙏🏽👍🏽

[@kpp4492]

That lodge would make an incredible project. Whose was it?

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

I think it once belonged to Sir Hugh Ragg, a hotelier in Fiji. Not 100% sure. If I had the opportunity, I’d do it up, live in it, and also put it on AirBnB.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Just found out that it is indeed the lodge that once belonged to Sir Hugh Ragg.

[@davidpeckham8275]

Oh noooo...you drove right past the stone bowl.. Nadarivatu literally means stone bowl..the stone bowl is said to be the head of the Sigatoka River.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Would you believe it was at the back of my mind? I''d heard so much about it...but missed it! 😩

[@davidpeckham8275]

Beautiful footage!!! Love it

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@davidpeckham8275 Thank you!

[@fjphoto23]

They don't want pictures of the dam because they always telling us that the water level is low and that is why there are power cuts.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

You know, in the olden days you could walk on it. It’s obviously a sore point for them and I think you could be right.

[@fjphoto23]

@@ThePaleBlueDot During the 2000 civilian coup, some of the locals occupied the dam and its power station Wailoa. Monasavu is a critical national asset; any problem with the dam and power station, about 80% of Fiji will be out of electricity.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Very true. The river on which it sits is effectively a lake with artificial islands, It would make an excellent vlog.@@fjphoto23

[@myopicthunder]

Wonder why you weren't allowed to film the dam, rumour is there's a crack in it and it leaks so water levels aren't what it's supposed to be, or was it in one of the penstocks (pipe to the turbine) I've forgotten the details. I guess it's in an overall sorry state.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

I suspect you're right. This government is paranoid about most things, Will, and showing up a ramshackle dam is something they would most certainly not want the world to see.

[@maciuchrissakealevu2054]

Hello. Is there anyways to get in contact and talk about more history of Both Viti Levu and Vanua Levu

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Sure. Write it down here. I would love to read it.

[@VKFJ679]

Wow

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

😃👍🏽✌🏽

[@VKFJ679]

@@ThePaleBlueDot oh

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@VKFJ679 :)

[@oneness1_]

Makes one wonder why the prohibition on taking pics/video?. What is really happening?

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Very good question, “Manatee”. I think it has something to do with this paranoid FijiFirst government.

[@PraveenSingh-ln3go]

How deep is the dam

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Not sure. I'll find out later this year when I do a vlog from the river.

[@user-ft8vg5go2v]

1 meter...give or take a 100

[@VKFJ679]

Bro do you have a play button ??

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Do you mean on the KZbin video?

[@VKFJ679]

@@ThePaleBlueDot no the plaque

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@VKFJ679, which plaque?

[@VKFJ679]

@@ThePaleBlueDot The play button . From KZbin

[@crazyartistvinitfiji4168]

i thought ill see the Monasavu Dam......unfortunately!

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Me too! 😂😂 I’ll be going back in a future vlog to camp around the river on which the dam sits. That will be epic!

[@cozzyinternet4706]

Eucalyptus tree @ 13:20

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Introduced into Fiji by Australians.

[@cozzyinternet4706]

@@ThePaleBlueDot either that, or Fijians returned from Australia with the seeds.....😄😄

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@cozzyinternet4706 Yes, very possible! 😃😃

[@prophet1782]

14:17 Rainbow Eucalyptus. Notice the vertical Rainbow like Colours on the stem .{15:46}

[@Ronald-qj5nx]

Nadarivatu was originally a Government Station which was closed then in 1943 and taken over by the Fiji Forestry Department where they experimented with a number of various species of trees to test how well they would grow in Fiji, hence the presence of the various trees like a few different types of eucalyptus trees, mahogany, kauri, various pine, etc. The most prevalent theory on the introduction of the African Tulip is that it was introduced in the 1930's as a ornamental tree (no doubt it does look very nice when in bloom) in one of the urban areas.

[@christopherrobert6953]

You from fiji, which side. Come to my house,

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Where do you live?

[@christopherrobert6953]

@@ThePaleBlueDot, Suva, come home

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@christopherrobert6953 no worries. When I come to Suva I’ll let you know. Vinaka. 😃

[@christopherrobert6953]

@@ThePaleBlueDot, Ok 👍

[@sanjeepsingh5159]

N where is the Dam. Only can c bushes... Omg

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Wasn't allowed to see it. Very sad.

[@ajitrahut]

Bula fiji

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Bula!

[@freetour6134]

Show me some nadarivatu ganja,,,u know what I mean 😏 🤪

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Too funny! 😂😂😂😂

[@Simon-v6y]

Free tour you don't want New police station be built there with drones do you? 🤣😁

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@Simon-v6y I hope not. 😀