Shell-shopping in Fiji

The rustic open-air shell shack in Vadukarasa Village in Fiji lives fondly in my memory. It was there that our car screeched to a halt on the grass in front.

shell shack in Vadukarasa Village in Fiji

Inside, we met a lovely lady, Hootchnag, and her husband, whose name I did not get. Hootchnag told me they were shell experts and had been here for more than 30 years. Her son is the shell diver. The shell I fell in love with is a weighty bull mouth helmet (the rusty one on the center of the counter in the image below). I keep it in my bathroom where it is a daily reminder of my visit to Fiji. I also selected a sea snail for my granddaughter and three humpback cowries--I keep one in my purse for good luck and gave the other two to my driver and to my traveling friend.