All over the island, laundry hung on clotheslines. And although we saw washing machines for sale in the big store in Somosoma Village, we saw constant evidence of laundry being done in the small streams that make their way from the mountains to the sea.

Many people still wear the traditional sulu (or sarong) and my favorite clotheslines were the ones that had a row of sulu rectangles drying in the sun.

This house was above the ocean – that’s what you can see behind those trees – and the laundry flapped like prayer flags.

Taveuni Island, Fiji
photographed 7.5.2013

This is Sepo. He was the head groundskeeper, and knew all about the native Fijian plants. He took guests on culture walks around the island, explaining the various flora and fauna and traditions and beliefs. He told traditional folk tales. He sang to us every night, an unusual mixture of traditional Fijian songs and American classics (like Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffett), playing an ancient and well-worn guitar.

I liked Sepo. He had kind eyes.

Taveuni Island, Fiji

photographed 7.5.2013