Monday 21 October 2019 - The Garden of the Sleeping Giant and The Mud Pools

An early breakfast on our verandah before heading out to the front of the resort to wait for Eto, a cousin of John's to drive us to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant and the Mud Pools.  The Sleeping Giant is the reclining giant shaped mountain that watches (well, maybe not if he's sleeping) over this area.

The garden has so many amazing orchids in every possible colour and style - just amazing.

Towards the base of the mountain, there are walks through the rainforest which was nice and cool on this very warm day.  We were amazed at the number of cane toads in the lake (we think we have a problem in Australia!!) that crowded towards us jumping from one lily pond to the next.  Surely people don't feed them.

After a drink at the kiosk (complimentary), we hopped back in Eto's lovely airconditioning vehicle and travelled on to the mud pools where we covered each other in mud and dried off in the sunshine while shopping at the obligatory souvenir stalls.  Actually, we didn’t mind at all as we have been trying to find reasonably priced trinkets for grandees and these (although presumably coming from China) were quite nicely made and very reasonably priced.

Once the mud was dry we washed off in a slightly suss muddy pond before heading to pond number 2 then 3 then 4, each one becoming cleaner.  It was quite an experience but I'm not sure if it did much for the complexion.

Back to the resort for a restful afternoon and dinner at the Beach Shack (again - and very pleasant it was)

The Garden of the Sleeping Giant 

The Garden of the Sleeping Giant sits at the foothills of the Nausori Highlands about 10 minutes drive north of Nadi. The attractive landscaped gardens specialize in Fiji's native plants as well as housing an impressive collection of orchids, some native. A jungle walk takes visitors past a large lily pond and through native forest. 

Originally designed 1977 to house Raymond Burr's (star of Perry Mason and Ironside) private collection of tropical orchids, the gardens have developed into a popular attraction after years of flourishing. Raymond Burr loved these orchids just as much as he loved Fiji.

The gardens showcase more than two thousand different kinds of orchids, covering 20 hectares. For an entry fee of just $18, you can wander through the lush and fertile plantation to your heart's content. 

Sabeto Mud Pools

At Sabeto, hot spring water combines with volcanic ash to form a mud bath pool. Mud baths have existed for thousands of years and found in spas around the world including Fiji. The mud bath treatment is used as a way to relieve arthritis. To take full advantage of the therapeutic value of the mud pools you first coat yourself in mud then stand in the sun until it drys. Wash off in the first natural hot spring pool then walk over to the next clear water pool for another cleansing.