The Western Scent!

The fact that I spent part of my childhood in the western side of Fiji, Lautoka (Sugar City) is probably the only explanation to why I have such a strange fascination towards the second largest city in Fiji. Apart from the fact that most of my competitors reside and operate in these areas, the west is a far outcry from Suva’s busy streets and fast life (Fiji standard of coz). I was sharing this with my new found friend yesterday of how the Western side has this unique scent as compared to the heavily polluted Suva air. As soon as we reach Sigatoka the weather changes and as you’re about to reach Nadi those sugarcane farms and along with that, the scent of the sekoula ( Mayflower, Flame Tree, Royal Poinciana, Peacock Flower, Gulmohar गुलमोहर (Hindi) ) flowers in full bloom .

Upon entering Lautoka city those huge piles of pinewood chips gave off that really strong scent that fills the area, I remember holding my breathe when I was a little girl every time I had to cross that place (which was nearly everyday!) Remember how the western side has this really hot weather that is sometimes too cruel to those nice tar-sealed roads?? Well that is another scent…. the smell of melting tar given off from the road