Yesterday I returned from Fiji after staying there for a week with my sister Cheryl Payne and her husband Simon. Highlights included visits to Rakiraki,  Vuda Point and Natadola, attending a meeting of the Rotary Club of Nadi, Diwali celebrations,  four school visits, a visit to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant and generally being shown around Fiji by “locals”. Cheryl and Simon  have lived in Namaka  close to Nadi Airport for almost two years so my husband Greg and I were fortunate to have their wealth of  local knowledge to help make our stay truly memorable. The Tropical vegetation  and the flowers  such as the Hibiscus  and Frangipani are beautiful. I look forward to trying to draw and paint these with our students.