suva municipal market

i wandered through the suva municipal markets on my own...no children to distract me.  it was bliss.  i am always drawn to a fresh food market wherever we travel.  i would prefer wandering through a market than being on a tour anyday. 

the suva market didn't disappoint.  i recognised most of the fruit & vegetables for sale however have not cooked with many of them.  the fijians use many root crops including taro, cassava & sweet potatoes. they tend to cook these traditionally either boiled or roasted in an underground oven of hot stones.  some vendors just sold one veg like okra or edible fern...whilst others sold many veg & fruit + some vendors were busy chopping up ingredients like breadfruit or garlic for customers to buy for their curries.

i bought some bananas...big claim but i am putting it down as one of the best bananas i have eaten.  like a lady finger but richer, creamier & huge!  delicious.

i stopped to watch several ladies sitting cross legged making traditional fijian mats using dried pandanus leaves.  the mats can take up to a week to weave & then they decorate the mats with bright coloured wool...weaving in & out.  i bought one with the hope that i could get it home through customs...and i did!  it now takes up a large wall in our house...full of colour & memories of our family holiday.