Colourful,
pp. 52-54 · Read in the full issue
independent Fiji
When independence arrives on October 10, there'll be celebrations in Fiji excelling anything since the Queen's coronation in 1953. The precise details of the celebrations are still being worked out but there will be plenty of dancing, and many yaqona ceremonies.
Independence won't hinder tourism, in fact it is expected to give it added impetus. Planners say that tourists will be even more interested in visiting a Fiji which will have full dominion status within the British Commonwealth, with its own Governor-General and Prime Minister—and ambassadors abroad. The picture on the left shows young Fijians vigorously displaying what they would do to their enemies, if they had any. Above, yaqona precedes any im portant event in Fiji. With elaborate ceremonial, the drink (pounded root, and water) is presented in coconut half-shells. Both pictures are by Rob Wright.
Noumea, 1870
New Caledonia is French, from the signs in its shop windows to the wine in its open-air cafes. Exactly 100 years separate these two pic tures of Noumea; the one above, of the Rue de I'Alma, a main shopping street of Noumea, was taken in 1870. The French had annexed New Caledonia just 17 years earlier and even by that time there was a French flavour about it. Left, Noumea today could be any modern harbour-side city from a distance, but walk down the streets and there's no mistake that here is part of France.