Cruise Liner's

Travel Briefs

Views Differ On

Stability

Does the Japanese-owned cruise ship Oriental Queen roll?

A special correspondent in PlM’s February issue, who took an Islands cruise in her, reported that she did roll, “like the Burns

Philp ship Bulolo”.

According to one or two correspondents who have got in touch with us there appears to be disagreement on this point. Some travellers insist that the rolling aboard the Oriental Queen is cer tainly no worse and probably a lot better than in any ship that is un stabilized. The view of the agents, F. H. Stephens, was: “You can say anything you want about the Oriental Queen except accuse her of rolling. She’s not a roller.”

Those interested enough to settle the question for themselves are in vited to try a cruise. Tickets are available at your nearest friendly travel agent! ☆ ☆ ☆ Oscar Wright, until recently skipper of the luxury cruiser Stardust, which makes trips for tourists between Lautoka and the nearby Mamanuca Islands, has started a new tourist venture in Fiji.

He has launched a 20 ft craft in Lautoka to fish for the big stuff off the north-west coast of Viti Levu.

His craft, Kingfisher I, has a 70 hp Zephyr marine engine, and two swivel chairs with gimbals and Penn reels. Bamboo outriggers have been mounted to carry lines and bait well clear of the craft’s wake.

The equipment on board includes masks, snorkels, fins, handlines, an icebox and a small toilet. ☆ ☆ ☆ Mr. Dave Riemy, an experienced hotelier, has been appointed manager of Burns Philp’s, new, six-suite Garden Island Hotel at Taveuni, Fiji, which was due to open in late February. Mr. Riemy has owned and managed several hotels, in Fiji.

Mr. Fred Carter who was originally

engaged for the Taveuni post, has since become catering manager at the Beachcomber Hotel at Deuba, Fiji. This hotel is closed at present for modifications. ☆ ☆ ☆ The air link between New Zealand and New Caledonia, which has been maintained by TEAL with chartered BOAC Comets at the request of the French Government since the TEAL service to Tahiti was terminated just over a year ago, is due to be reviewed on March 31. But the New Zealand Herald forcasts that it will continue throughout 1965. .☆ ☆ ☆ The Reef Lodge Hotel at Koro toga, Fiji, which was handicapped in its first year by limited accom

modation, is to be extended to pro vide 65 to 70 beds.

There will be eight more lanai suites and a luxury bure to accom modate six.

A saltwater swimming pool is also to be built next to the freshwater pool.

Another innovation at the hotel is a diesel-powered launch, which the guests may use on fishing ex peditions. ☆ The number of travellers staying in Fiji last year was 30.42 per cent, more than in 1963. This followed a 30 per cent, increase in each of the two preceding years. Total arrivals were 40,843 compared with 31,725 in 1963. In addition there were 114,715 through passengers com pared with 109.902 the previous year.

Tongan Princess Miotvs llotv

The young lady riding on the surf board is Princess Pilolevu, of Tonga, and she’s coming in on a wave at ’Eueiki, a small island about three miles off the eastern tip of Tongatapu, Tonga’s main island. ’Eueiki has a surf run of 100-150 yards.

Tongas Premier, Prince Tungi, and members of the kingdom’s new Hotel Management Committee are enthusiastic about the tourist possibilities of the surf at ’Eueiki. Prince Tungi has compared it with Hawaii’s Waikiki. However, other people say there’s too much jagged coral about.

Photo: Courtesy of Tonga Government Printer.