Isa, fond memories of Sigatoka town where i'd spend my school holidays in the late 70s and early 80s with my Grand parents. My Grandpa who used to work in the Vatukoula mines retired to his village nearby and would drive his "carrier" everyday to the Markets, transporting villagers and their cargo up and down the Sigatoka Valley. This brought tears to my eyes as i remember those youthful days full of joy, laughter and love. I wandered through those streets and along the river bank probably a million times!! Funny how it seemed so big in my memory. Sigatoka town holds so much beautiful memories for me. RIP Papa...... Vinaka Azeem, your Vloggs always make me smile.
Vinaka! 😃😃 I always appreciate your kind comments. I’d like to go back to Sigatoka soon and explore the sand dunes, the valley, do a river cruise, the hill fort, etc. There is so much there. A few days ago the rugby team (Nadroga Stallions) having won a competitive event rode through the town on horses! If only I had known in advance!
Thank you Azeem for uploading this video, my home town Sigatoka, gosh it has changed a lot, that old bridge was one way for traffic, railway track at one end and a footpath for people and we used to walk across to go to school. There is wide patch of land mass by the side of river opposite Tappoos now as it just used to be very narrow river bank, great to see so much improvement come in town, one of the best and most beautiful town in Fiji. Sigatoka is always known as Salad Bowl Of Fiji and will always remain as such.
My pleasure, damayanti. I must admit I have a soft spot for Sigatoka. It straddles the divide between the Central and Western Divisions. Suva isn’t far off and the coast facing Vatulele is spectacular.
Hi Matt! Lovely hearing from you! Yes, I agree. Sigatoka possesses a certain magic that is hard to put one's finger on. I think it may have something to do with that beautiful coastline.
5:58 You are spot on Azeem it was a single carriage way, with train tracks on it. All traffic would wait from either side of the bridge for the FSC Sugarcane Train to cross. It was magnificent to just see the train loaded with sugarcane make that crossing. There were traffic lights on either side to allow traffic and train on the same bridge. It was rather abit scary to cross this bridge given its structure but as kids an adventure on another level...😃
I remember it many moons ago when I was a young lad. I had recently arrived from London with my folks. We would spend weekends in the Sigatoka valley staying with friends. Seeing trains cross the bridge laden with sugar was such a thrill for me.
@@ThePaleBlueDot @The Pale Blue Dot Yadra Vinaka noqu itokani. I haven't visited Sigatoka Valley "Salad Bowl of Fiji" in ages. I will do on my upcoming trip. I can imagine the pump you must get when visiting all these places Azeem, even after lapse of many moons to see it all again infront of you from a different time lens. As you beautifully said, the thrill!! This is such a gracious journey you have embarked on and taking us all with you, an absolutely amazing and compelling service you are giving to our beloved Fiji, very very noble! Vinaka sara vakalevu Azeem. I was speaking to my cousin in Melbourne yesterday and I told him about your vlogs, and he immediately picked up on your name and said " Is he the guy with an accent" 😁. Then I told him a lil about you and your grandfather and all our chit chats here. He goes "yeah I've been watching his youtube vlogs, it's beyond words" PS: Lastnight I watched your vlogs on Tavua and Vatukola, and the exilerating historic battle grounds of Nakorowaiwai. As I'm having my breakfast now, I'm putting on another of your vlogs. 🙏👍😃
@@gr8wh8orca53 A huge Vinaka Vakalevu to you! I get a huge thrill from visiting ancient Fijian villages. I’ve been hampered over the last few months because of the rain. Even within the last few days it’s been raining again just as we’re moving into the dry season. I wanted to go back to Yaqara last week to tell a part of the story of the ancient Kalou-Vu, where a volcanic rock has the last physical representation left in Fiji of a small story of it. Sadly, there was a thunderstorm in the morning so I had to postpone it. I know the reason why ancient Fijians went to live in hillforts and remote mountain villages. It has to do with the Little Ice Age which began in the late 13th century. So when I visit an abandoned Fijian village I try to imagine it in that context. It gives me a real buzz. I need to know as much as possible so when I ask local villages or do a sevusevu I get curious looks from some and questions about my intentions especially when I mention bure kalous. A few people think I’m going to do witchcraft! 😂😂 That always makes me laugh! I tell them I’m merely interested in ancient Fijian history and telling the story of abandoned villages and yavus and bure kalous are all part of that. Then they look relieved! 😂😂 It’s important to understand the past because that’s how you understand the present. And Fiji’s ancient history is some of the most fascinating in the Pacific…It just needs to be told!
@@ThePaleBlueDot @The Pale Blue Dot It's absolutely amazing how all of us are so fascinated by the profound ancient history of Fiji and yet I know so little. Everytime you'd pick up a new piece of the puzzle from the village elders it must make you wonder in awe how does this fit in to that big picture and a whole lot of questions and possible answers, would rush in aye. Azeem, to have such an abundance of knowledge of Fiji and to tap into it is really an incredible experience! 😂 witchcraft "ojhah" 🧙♀️, especially when you don't look like a native fijian 😜. More than anything, I think your knowledge must astound the village elders when you start to have those serious conversations and more than that touch them deeply as we know fijians run deep with emotions. They must be like, here's someone who is not native (sorry, all due respect but has his roots grounded in Fiji) and has lived all of his life abroad but is just mesmerized by our culture, customs, ancient history, and people...Now that is your winner! This is a nation's calling! She needs her story to be told, welldone Azeem. For me as an Indo-Fiji/Fijian who always hungout with Fijians as a child and adult, having the opportunity to learn what I could from them, and having their love makes me realise how much that Pale Blue Dot has given me! 🙏🤗 I'd be very interested to know how all this fascination flourished in you Azeem. Wishing you a safe trip to Yaqara. I'm looking forward to your storytelling and the Naqovadra Range. We'll be in touch, God bless 🙏👍
@@gr8wh8orca53 I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been stopped in the street and told how by people how much they enjoy my RUclips content. The week before last I was stopped five times in Lautoka on one day alone! I do a lot of research and reading about Fiji’s history in books and journals available online and sometimes from the library. It’s important to be fully briefed and to know what I’m talking about before committing myself to a vlog. Thank you for the support! And keep the comments coming! 😃😃👍🏽🙏🏽😎🇫🇯
Wow, once again a very beautiful video.Too bad I didn't explore more when I was there in 2005 but will surely do it next time.Thank you so much Azeem! for reminding my old times there, God bless you and the people of Fiji 🙏
Thank you, Donna. I really appreciate your comments. There is so much here in Fiji and, indeed, across the Pacific. As I expand my channel, I hope to show much more of that extraordinary world. :)
Me being from Sigatoka and looking looking at the old bridge brings back a lot of memories used to cross the bridge 5. Times a week in the 70.s. because our school SMS was on the other side. A single lane bridge with a train track along the side and a pedestrian walking on the other side. Regardless of where you are from Fiji 🇫🇯 we all are proud of our towns and places of birth. Thanks for the for the memories.
Another great video, thanks for sharing Azeem, I'm not so much familiar with Sigatoka town but for sure we had always stopped over for Sigatoka fresh vegetable and shellfish(Kai) whenever we visited Fiji. Everything taste so good from there. Happy vlogging. Thanks Babita
Thank you, Babita. 😃😃 I hope to go back soon to vlog around the market and also visit the famous sand dunes. I’m looking forward to the sand dunes as they look like the Sahara desert. Hope you’re well and thank you for your support. 😎😎
We have driven through Sigatoka town a lot but never explored the town.I wish we had! That Hare Krishna temple and place of residence is huge and beautiful on that elevated piece of land.During my time there,I think the new Sigatoka bridge was in use.That mighty river always fascinated me,the one time we stopped there was to visit a family friend who took us to gather fresh water mussels from the river and it was an very enjoyable day:)Thank you again for showing us the sights and sounds and smiles of Fiji:)
My pleasure, Rory. I have a soft spot for Sigatoka. When we first moved back to Fiji from London, my late father would take us down to Sigatoka for the odd weekend where we would meet up with his cousin, a dentist from Suva, who had a Friday dental surgery there. When he was finished, we would all spend the weekend at the home of a lovely guy called Raju who was my dad's cousin's dental assistant. Raju lived in Sigatoka Valley. Happy days. :)
I will check it out, Ju. I do know about it and I will visit it at some point. There are so many fascinating places all around Fiji rich with history and tradition.
The old bridge was a single lane bridge with a single train track along the side and a pedestrian walkway on the other side. If one met an oncoming larger vehicle in the missle one had to reverse back - the edges of the bridge were only 50 cm high!
Funnily enough, there was a photo in the newspaper a few days ago of an incident where a digger on an army vehicle fell off and lodged itself against a van in the opposite direction carrying bottles. 😃
Nadroga is the kingdom of tui latami a exiled Prince of Tonga and his people with nadrgoa there a Fort there maybe one time you can pay a visit with origin of polynesian lapita pots
Such a great video which makes me remember my short trip to Sigatoka By the way I wonder where your English came from? Because your English is attractive
Thank you! I grew up and lived in London for most of my life although I now have an apartment and residency in Italy. :) PS. Don't forget to subscribe!
I remember the storm that took the old bridge down. They built some structures on either end next to the bridge down on the river bank, where you could wait for the ferries they used when the bridge went down.
@@ThePaleBlueDot Yes. As I recall, Fiji Sugar owned the bridge, and the rails ran down the center. Vehicles would straddle the rails while crossing. Also the students of Sigatoka Methodist would walk across mornings and afternoons. There was/is a similar arrangement (though much smaller) at Lomawai where I was stationed.
@@mikesloothaak679 Thank you for that. All these bits of information are such a vital addition to what life was like in the past. As you can gather from the vlog, memories about the bridge are fast disappearing.
@@bissoon4435 It means literally "live". But in Nahigatoka (Sigatoka) you'd say "Cola". "Ni Sa Bula Vinaka" (or "Mutu Cola Vina" in Nadro) means "live well" with a respectful, formal, connotation. "C" in Fijian is similar to "th" in English, as is explained in the Cuvu video. If you can greet someone with "Cola" or "Cola Vina" in the west of Fiji, they will know you are more informed than a mere tourist on their way to the hotel.
![Sigatoka Town, Fiji [4K]](/img/1.gif)
Isa, fond memories of Sigatoka town where i'd spend my school holidays in the late 70s and early 80s with my Grand parents. My Grandpa who used to work in the Vatukoula mines retired to his village nearby and would drive his "carrier" everyday to the Markets, transporting villagers and their cargo up and down the Sigatoka Valley. This brought tears to my eyes as i remember those youthful days full of joy, laughter and love. I wandered through those streets and along the river bank probably a million times!! Funny how it seemed so big in my memory. Sigatoka town holds so much beautiful memories for me. RIP Papa...... Vinaka Azeem, your Vloggs always make me smile.
Vinaka! 😃😃 I always appreciate your kind comments. I’d like to go back to Sigatoka soon and explore the sand dunes, the valley, do a river cruise, the hill fort, etc. There is so much there. A few days ago the rugby team (Nadroga Stallions) having won a competitive event rode through the town on horses! If only I had known in advance!
Thank you Azeem for uploading this video, my home town Sigatoka, gosh it has changed a lot, that old bridge was one way for traffic, railway track at one end and a footpath for people and we used to walk across to go to school. There is wide patch of land mass by the side of river opposite Tappoos now as it just used to be very narrow river bank, great to see so much improvement come in town, one of the best and most beautiful town in Fiji. Sigatoka is always known as Salad Bowl Of Fiji and will always remain as such.
My pleasure, damayanti. I must admit I have a soft spot for Sigatoka. It straddles the divide between the Central and Western Divisions. Suva isn’t far off and the coast facing Vatulele is spectacular.
Beautiful Mr Azeem, nice shot
Thank you, Sainivalati!
Hello again! There is a certain magic that draws me to Sigatoka, it's one of my favorite spots in all of Fiji. Keep up the amazing work!
Hi Matt! Lovely hearing from you! Yes, I agree. Sigatoka possesses a certain magic that is hard to put one's finger on. I think it may have something to do with that beautiful coastline.
Thanks for showing will be there next month 👍
Have fun!
5:58 You are spot on Azeem it was a single carriage way, with train tracks on it. All traffic would wait from either side of the bridge for the FSC Sugarcane Train to cross. It was magnificent to just see the train loaded with sugarcane make that crossing. There were traffic lights on either side to allow traffic and train on the same bridge. It was rather abit scary to cross this bridge given its structure but as kids an adventure on another level...😃
I remember it many moons ago when I was a young lad. I had recently arrived from London with my folks. We would spend weekends in the Sigatoka valley staying with friends. Seeing trains cross the bridge laden with sugar was such a thrill for me.
@@ThePaleBlueDot @The Pale Blue Dot Yadra Vinaka noqu itokani. I haven't visited Sigatoka Valley "Salad Bowl of Fiji" in ages. I will do on my upcoming trip. I can imagine the pump you must get when visiting all these places Azeem, even after lapse of many moons to see it all again infront of you from a different time lens. As you beautifully said, the thrill!! This is such a gracious journey you have embarked on and taking us all with you, an absolutely amazing and compelling service you are giving to our beloved Fiji, very very noble! Vinaka sara vakalevu Azeem.
I was speaking to my cousin in Melbourne yesterday and I told him about your vlogs, and he immediately picked up on your name and said " Is he the guy with an accent" 😁. Then I told him a lil about you and your grandfather and all our chit chats here. He goes "yeah I've been watching his youtube vlogs, it's beyond words"
PS: Lastnight I watched your vlogs on Tavua and Vatukola, and the exilerating historic battle grounds of Nakorowaiwai.
As I'm having my breakfast now, I'm putting on another of your vlogs. 🙏👍😃
@@gr8wh8orca53 A huge Vinaka Vakalevu to you! I get a huge thrill from visiting ancient Fijian villages. I’ve been hampered over the last few months because of the rain. Even within the last few days it’s been raining again just as we’re moving into the dry season. I wanted to go back to Yaqara last week to tell a part of the story of the ancient Kalou-Vu, where a volcanic rock has the last physical representation left in Fiji of a small story of it. Sadly, there was a thunderstorm in the morning so I had to postpone it. I know the reason why ancient Fijians went to live in hillforts and remote mountain villages. It has to do with the Little Ice Age which began in the late 13th century. So when I visit an abandoned Fijian village I try to imagine it in that context. It gives me a real buzz. I need to know as much as possible so when I ask local villages or do a sevusevu I get curious looks from some and questions about my intentions especially when I mention bure kalous. A few people think I’m going to do witchcraft! 😂😂 That always makes me laugh! I tell them I’m merely interested in ancient Fijian history and telling the story of abandoned villages and yavus and bure kalous are all part of that. Then they look relieved! 😂😂 It’s important to understand the past because that’s how you understand the present. And Fiji’s ancient history is some of the most fascinating in the Pacific…It just needs to be told!
@@ThePaleBlueDot @The Pale Blue Dot It's absolutely amazing how all of us are so fascinated by the profound ancient history of Fiji and yet I know so little. Everytime you'd pick up a new piece of the puzzle from the village elders it must make you wonder in awe how does this fit in to that big picture and a whole lot of questions and possible answers, would rush in aye. Azeem, to have such an abundance of knowledge of Fiji and to tap into it is really an incredible experience!
😂 witchcraft "ojhah" 🧙♀️, especially when you don't look like a native fijian 😜. More than anything, I think your knowledge must astound the village elders when you start to have those serious conversations and more than that touch them deeply as we know fijians run deep with emotions. They must be like, here's someone who is not native (sorry, all due respect but has his roots grounded in Fiji) and has lived all of his life abroad but is just mesmerized by our culture, customs, ancient history, and people...Now that is your winner! This is a nation's calling! She needs her story to be told, welldone Azeem. For me as an Indo-Fiji/Fijian who always hungout with Fijians as a child and adult, having the opportunity to learn what I could from them, and having their love makes me realise how much that Pale Blue Dot has given me! 🙏🤗
I'd be very interested to know how all this fascination flourished in you Azeem.
Wishing you a safe trip to Yaqara. I'm looking forward to your storytelling and the Naqovadra Range. We'll be in touch, God bless 🙏👍
@@gr8wh8orca53 I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been stopped in the street and told how by people how much they enjoy my RUclips content. The week before last I was stopped five times in Lautoka on one day alone! I do a lot of research and reading about Fiji’s history in books and journals available online and sometimes from the library. It’s important to be fully briefed and to know what I’m talking about before committing myself to a vlog. Thank you for the support! And keep the comments coming! 😃😃👍🏽🙏🏽😎🇫🇯
The people of Fiji are so friendly and welcoming! no doubt about that
They certainly are! :)
Wow, once again a very beautiful video.Too bad I didn't explore more when I was there in 2005 but will surely do it next time.Thank you so much Azeem! for reminding my old times there, God bless you and the people of Fiji 🙏
Thank you, Donna. I really appreciate your comments. There is so much here in Fiji and, indeed, across the Pacific. As I expand my channel, I hope to show much more of that extraordinary world. :)
Nice down in Sigatoka .Lovely Prawns in River $6 Kilo 2004
Quick story, John. When I lived in Nadi many moons ago a policeman from Sigatoka was my 'Mr. Fix It' for prawns. I had a regular supply!
I just smiled (happy) all thru out ur vlog, mate. Awesome pix. Thanx 4 sharing. Cheers
Vinaka Es Kay! My pleasure! 😃😃
@@ThePaleBlueDot Vinaka 🙇♀️✌🇫🇯💝
The town with Sand Dunes!! Unique in the middle of a tropical paradise...
Yes, Charu, and I will be visiting it soon so stay tuned! :)
@@ThePaleBlueDot Thanks, looking forward!
Me being from Sigatoka and looking looking at the old bridge brings back a lot of memories used to cross the bridge 5. Times a week in the 70.s. because our school SMS was on the other side. A single lane bridge with a train track along the side and a pedestrian walking on the other side. Regardless of where you are from Fiji 🇫🇯 we all are proud of our towns and places of birth. Thanks for the for the memories.
It must bring back fond memories for you. 😃 Thank you for sharing.
You Are correct, that Town is definitely magnificent. The best Town in Fiji.
The best!
Nope...Navua town beats Sigatoka any day!
@@rajchandra71 Haha! I bet you're from Navua.
@@ThePaleBlueDot How did you guess????...=On the same thought...a show about Navua and it's past glory when you get the chance would be fantastic!
@@rajchandra71 Don’t worry. Navau is firmly within my sights. Lovely place.
Another great video brother. Keep it coming.
Vinaka Mataika!
Another great video, thanks for sharing Azeem, I'm not so much familiar with Sigatoka town but for sure we had always stopped over for Sigatoka fresh vegetable and shellfish(Kai) whenever we visited Fiji. Everything taste so good from there. Happy vlogging. Thanks Babita
Thank you, Babita. 😃😃 I hope to go back soon to vlog around the market and also visit the famous sand dunes. I’m looking forward to the sand dunes as they look like the Sahara desert. Hope you’re well and thank you for your support. 😎😎
We have driven through Sigatoka town a lot but never explored the town.I wish we had! That Hare Krishna temple and place of residence is huge and beautiful on that elevated piece of land.During my time there,I think the new Sigatoka bridge was in use.That mighty river always fascinated me,the one time we stopped there was to visit a family friend who took us to gather fresh water mussels from the river and it was an very enjoyable day:)Thank you again for showing us the sights and sounds and smiles of Fiji:)
My pleasure, Rory. I have a soft spot for Sigatoka. When we first moved back to Fiji from London, my late father would take us down to Sigatoka for the odd weekend where we would meet up with his cousin, a dentist from Suva, who had a Friday dental surgery there. When he was finished, we would all spend the weekend at the home of a lovely guy called Raju who was my dad's cousin's dental assistant. Raju lived in Sigatoka Valley. Happy days. :)
Nice upload... Lawai pottery village will be interesting there's an old village there you would be interested in with the history n stories behind it
I will check it out, Ju. I do know about it and I will visit it at some point. There are so many fascinating places all around Fiji rich with history and tradition.
@@ThePaleBlueDot Thanks so much for your wonderful work Vinaka GB
@@Wayaboy10 Vinaka for watching, Ju! :)
The old bridge was a single lane bridge with a single train track along the side and a pedestrian walkway on the other side. If one met an oncoming larger vehicle in the missle one had to reverse back - the edges of the bridge were only 50 cm high!
Funnily enough, there was a photo in the newspaper a few days ago of an incident where a digger on an army vehicle fell off and lodged itself against a van in the opposite direction carrying bottles. 😃
Thanks 4 showing my sigatoka town iam very happy.
I love how Sigatoka is so close to the beautiful coast.
Beautiful blogs love and blessings from Australia 🇦🇺💗💞💕love my birth paradise
Thank you so much 😊
The old bridge was a one way bridge, and sugar cane train goes over as well.
Yes, I remember it as a boy. 😃
Thank you for sharing this brother
My Beautiful childhood town of Sigatoka, forever FIJI 💜👍
Glad you liked it, Rajesh. 😃😃 More to come on Fiji. Stay tuned.
@@ThePaleBlueDot keep it coming bro✌
I'm originally from Sigatoka but born and Resides In Ba.Sad to see Sigatoka Railway Bridge is now on that condition.
Very true. It’s a slice of history too. 🥹
Thank you Azeem
Thank you for watching, Rehmat. Don't forget to subscribe! 😃😃
Nadroga is the kingdom of tui latami a exiled Prince of Tonga and his people with nadrgoa there a Fort there maybe one time you can pay a visit with origin of polynesian lapita pots
Yes, you're correct. There is quite a lot of Lapita debris in the Sigatoka sand dunes too. The hillfort and dunes are on my radar for a visit. 😃👍🏽✌🏽👌🏽
Uncle i live in sigatoka 😂😂 .. its funny how people respond to your questions 😂😂😂
Wow! I had no idea, Christine! Hope you liked my vlog on Sigatoka!
@@ThePaleBlueDot it was awesome uncle 💛💚
@Kaushal Kumar Gupta yea 😁
@Kaushal Kumar Gupta Thank you, Kaushal!
@Kaushal Kumar Gupta There’s even more I wanted to say but I will leave it to a future vlog. Thanks for watching! 😃😃
Such a great video which makes me remember my short trip to Sigatoka By the way I wonder where your English came from? Because your English is attractive
Thank you! I grew up and lived in London for most of my life although I now have an apartment and residency in Italy. :) PS. Don't forget to subscribe!
Yes it was a single lane bridge. Controlled by the traffic lights at both ends.
Thank you, nab velo. I thought so.
I remember the storm that took the old bridge down. They built some structures on either end next to the bridge down on the river bank, where you could wait for the ferries they used when the bridge went down.
@@mikesloothaak679 Was that in the 1990s. Mike?
@@ThePaleBlueDot Yes. As I recall, Fiji Sugar owned the bridge, and the rails ran down the center. Vehicles would straddle the rails while crossing. Also the students of Sigatoka Methodist would walk across mornings and afternoons. There was/is a similar arrangement (though much smaller) at Lomawai where I was stationed.
@@mikesloothaak679 Thank you for that. All these bits of information are such a vital addition to what life was like in the past. As you can gather from the vlog, memories about the bridge are fast disappearing.
Beautiful
Thank you! :)
Hey that's my wife in green t-shirt the one who was having lunch 😘😘😘
Now she’s famous! 😂😂✌🏽👌🏽👍🏽
Yeah she is anyway thanks for taking a video of her in your channel
And to think I was born there ! No one believes me🙈🤣
Why don’t they believe you? 😃
@@ThePaleBlueDot cause I look Latin and came to the states when I was a little girl! So totally American 🇺🇸
@@aprildiaz7076 Wow! I have cousins over there and they often get mistaken for Latino too. :)
Thanks for such great content.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TRUSTWORTHY REALTORS THAT CAN HELP ME IN PURCHASING LAND FOR A STARTING A CATTLE FARM OR RANCH.
Land in Fiji
Thank you! 😃😃 Reliable and trustworthy real estate agents are rare here. I can ask around. Email me the details.
Grandpa worked in the csr sugar mill
The old CSR legacy needs to be explored.
Bula！😀
Bula Kevin!
@@ThePaleBlueDot whats the meaning of bula?
@@bissoon4435 It means "hello!" in a very friendly way. :)
@@bissoon4435 It means literally "live". But in Nahigatoka (Sigatoka) you'd say "Cola". "Ni Sa Bula Vinaka" (or "Mutu Cola Vina" in Nadro) means "live well" with a respectful, formal, connotation. "C" in Fijian is similar to "th" in English, as is explained in the Cuvu video. If you can greet someone with "Cola" or "Cola Vina" in the west of Fiji, they will know you are more informed than a mere tourist on their way to the hotel.
Memeroies
Yes, indeed.
Will be great if you do a video on Kavanagasau and Yalava area also. Great video
Thank you. 😃🫶🏽