COVER N. 528 - FIJI

Postmark: Levuka Post Office - Post Fiji PTE Limited 15.10.2024 

Posted on the 15th October; Received on the 6th November 2024

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The Flying Dutchman does it again... and I couldn't be more amazed and grateful for the opportunity to add another country to my list. I really appreciate it. Hartelijk dank, Eric. Muito obrigado mesmo.

This time Eric's letter came from the Fiji Islands, an archipelago of some 330 islands plus hundreds of islets, in the South Pacific, 

Fiji became independent from the United Kingdom, the colonising power since 1874, in 1970, and the first decades of self-determination seem to have been rather turbulent with an history of coups and political unrest that even saw it being suspended from participating in the Pacific Islands Forum and the Commonwealth of Nations, due to the failure of its government in organising free elections.

In 2014 and 2018 general elections were indeed organised and deemed as credible by international observers and in 2022 a new national suffrage dictated the change  of the head of the government, who now rests in the former opposition leader.

Fiji is of course one of those places that exude the allure of the Pacific, and tourism is probably the most important source of revenue. But I was absolutely amazed to learn that water is on the list of the countries main exports.....in fact Fiji is the 4th main water exporter in the world.... go figure!...

Stamps, left to right

- Muslims account for 6.3% of the Fijian population, that is circa 60,000 people. I could not find much information on Lautoka Mosque, though, the subject of the 4 cent stamp issued on 15JUN1983, as part of a two stamp set in a series dedicated to architectural landmarks, which ran between 1979 and 1984.

The building depicted in the stamp though seems to no longer exist in the depicted shape, since current images show a much larger building.

- Dravuni Beach, located in the same name island is the subject of the 43 cent stamp, part of a set of three (6; 43; 50 cents) dedicated to Fijian beaches, issued on 18AUG1980.

- The Fiji Goshawk (Accipiter rufitorques), a 30-40 cm long bird of prey is endemic to the Fiji Islands. It is beautifully depicted in the 63 cent stamp on the cover, part of a lovely 16 stamp definitive set themed on Fijian birds, issued on 07NOV1995.

The Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II was honoured by the Fiji Postal services with the three stamp set on the cover  (10; 25 and 30 cents), issued on 07FEB1977.

The stamps depict the Queen wearing a cloth of gold supertunica; King Edward's chair - the coronation chair used in the coronation of British Monarchs - and Queen Elizabeth receiving flowers from a child during her visit to Fiji, in 1970.

The Postmark was issued at Levuka's Post Office in the Island of Ovalau.