Coral Coast Tops Captain’s List
Aviation runs in the blood, says Captain Tom Cama, who continues to serve the industry 50 years on.
The executive manager air safety, at Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji, eagerly maintains his interest in all things flying.
A memorable highlight of his career was Flying Trislander aircraft on Air Pacific’s domestic network in the 1980s included flights from Nausori airport to Matei, Taveuni and back.
Usually three routes were available when flying to and from Matei airport depending on the weather:
through the Somosomo strait,
over Mt Uluiqalau and Lake Tagimoucia on clear, early mornings, and
along the eastern coast of Taveuni.
“All three routes offer stunning views and unforgettable experiences,” Captain Cama said.
As high-flying as his career may be, the Mualevu villager keeps his feet grounded in Christian ministry.
In fact, his work and first priority is in Christian ministry, he said. As son of the late Malakai Cama an early teacher at Queen Victoria School in Nanukuloa, Ra - he takes to reading as a favourite past time. “On an annual reading plan, I cover avolume of 66 books,” he said.
Many people are not aware that unlike many i-taukei families, the Cama family name differs from his registered Waqa surname.
Where in Fiji would you take friends to?
Korotogo, Coral Coast, Nadroga. We take our visiting overseas
friends to the hilltop Kalokalo Bar at Outrigger Fiji Resort.
With snacks and beverages, the the bar offers spectacular outline of the reef and coast, and amazing evening sunsets.
Best of all though, would be a trip to Qilaqila (The Bay of Islands), in Vanuabalavu, Lau for its unsurpassed beauty and serenity.
What is your favourite spot for coffee or pie?
Around the Sigatoka area, coffee outlets are available at the various hotels, resorts and restaurants, where there are several good choices on offer.
Cuppabula Café at Tappoo’s Sigatoka, is a great place with friendly staff, great coffee and quality food at reasonable prices.
What spot? is your favourite backyard
Living in Korotogo on the Coral Coast means ocean view, sea breeze, beach side and elevated spots are some of the best prescriptions for destressing, relaxation and refreshing after the hustle and bustle of work in urban environments.
One of the best spots to do that is on an elevated hillside site, enjoying the fresh salt air, great views of the reef and hearing therapeutic sounds of the ocean.
What are some places in Fiji on your bucket list?
A trek up to the 1241 metres/4072 feet high Mt Uluiqalau, to see the Tagimoucia flower in its natural environment, would be memorable.
More than that, a cruise along the eastern coast of Taveuni with its numerous inaccessible-by-land waterfalls, many of which cascade off the steep volcanic cliffs directly into the sea, would be one of the top things to do.