Nadi last night

The boat arrived about an hour late and Julie the American girl was missing. We got them to do some call outs for her on the microphone but couldn't see her so we had to get on the boat. And then she appeared from the other end of the beach and made it to the boat. Apparently one of the workers had been chatting her up on the hammock. We whizzed out on the speed boat and swapped onto the catermaran.

We sat downstairs inside to get the wifi which was frustratingly shit. Laura uploaded more photos than she wanted to. The sea got really bumpy an hour or so in, the staff looked scared and there were leaks! Was pretty freaky! We had to go downstairs in the toilet in it too. We arrived into Denerau Port about 6ish and it was dark. Headed to the complimentary coaches to take us to the hostels and Julie went into a shop and we ended up waiting for her. Then she realised she didn't have her case and hadn't believed us all day when we said these are our only bags!!! Did she understand much of what we said?!! She ran off and we thought we'd loose her now. We keep ending up waiting for her! 

Last night in Nadi we spent in a Bamboo dorm. And stayed up the latest since we've been away, because of the free wifi lol. Wrote a load of postcards, and Julie found us again and sat all night. 

Leaving Naviti Island

Last day today and the boats picking up at 1-2 or sometime this afternoon, maybe at some point. Fiji time. Breakfast out on the decking, banana muffins and coconut swirls. This chef is really proud if what he does! Writing recipes for people. Sunbathing by the pool for our last bit of sun for a while 😔 although it feels like we should be heading home from a summer holiday, not carrying on!

Laura had a bit of trouble on the hammock! Lunch was really nice. 

Sunday in Fiji

Had egg and bacon for breakfast! And then went to church at 10. All the guests sat on the first two rows and they asked us to write our names and country in a guest book. They asked us to stand up country by country and welcomed us and god blessed us. There was lots of singing and clapping. He called it an AOG church, like Methodist but with singing. First song was 'He's got the whole world in his hands'. They also passed round a basket for money. It lasted an hour and then we got up and shook everyone's hands as we left.

Went to Honeymoon Beach, which was a walk over the hill to the other side of the island, through Avatar world and spent the afternoon sunbathing and snorkelling. I fell asleep and the back of me is hot tonight! The coral was really high but in deep water so felt like I was in a maze finding the way around coral. No sharks, although would like to have seen one. And no turtles either when apparently there's normally loads. 

No Bula Boyz this evening but we did another crab race, for a beer prize but we didn't get it. Someone's crab also fell through the slats of the decking!

Another bonfire and a little fire dance from one of the young workers and then to bed where we had shut all the windows and was a relatively warm sleep!

Bula boyz!

Cold shower yet again! In an outside hut, but getting used to everything being outside now! Dinner here isn't til 7, so ate crisps all afternoon and then was too full to eat. A Fijian fish dinner again, Laura had to have the fish taken off so she just had a plate of vegetables. After dinner, tonight's entertainment was the staff as 'The Bula Boys'! We sat on the decking and they came out dressed in hula skirts and started dancing to un-Fijian music! They leapt out at us shouting Bula and then announced the Bula dance. After they had done it a few times they got everyone up to learn it in a long line on the decking. A few moves ending in the Macarena to change direction. Was funny. Then they introduced a game for partners where we had to hold hands behind our backs and walk around in a circle. There was going to be a wooden baton passed around the circle and when the music stopped, whichever couple had it was out. We were out first!

We then moved to the beach where they lit a bonfire and we sat on the deck chairs to watch. One of the Fijian guys asked to go on Laura's iPad and played bubbles. Made Laura sad that this was a grown man having fun on something they don't have. Went to bed a about 10. And it was the coldest night, laid shivering. Can tell it's the winter coz the temp drops so much, been freezing every night in bed. 

Korovou Eco Resort

The hostel at bounty was like a prison. But had hot water, the first warm shower since Texas! The food was nice either fish or steak with leaves, a potato and a bit of pumpkin. I had fish and pineapple. The band wasn't as good as Ratu Kini but they played. All the guests eating played heads or tails with the pirate man to win a free cocktail but didn't win! We sat with Kirsty and Emma until about half 8 and then all decided to go to bed coz all tired and bored.

Just us four in a dorm for 50ish. Didn't get a great nights sleep coz the air con was freezing!! Woke early for breakfast and our boat transfer at half 8. The boat didn't arrive til 9:15. A big catamaran, and we sat in the top in the sun all the way to our next island, almost three hours. Scenery was amazing, island after island. We caught some sun too, filled in my white bits from the other bikini.

At our stop we disembarked onto the resorts small boat and were welcomed with singing and some juice. The tide was a long way out but there was a slippery path we could walk on. Korovou not Barefoot Lodge!!

They told us no activities would be happening tomorrow coz it's Sunday, typical! Except we can go to church at 10. But a German couple who are on their honeymoon asked about the Manta ray swimming and they said if there were 6 people to go they would. Even Laura came! A woman from Prague and an American girl. We went on the speed boat with our snorkelling gear back towards the last island and the Manta ray passage. The guys were looking out for them, saw one and said go go go, and we all had to jump in and chase it. We jumped into the middle of the ocean!! Not too dark but deep. The current was really strong and we all just floated with it as they said that's what the rays do. You couldn't swim against it. That one disappeared and we were just snorkelling around looking for more. They pulled us back onto the boat and continued to look around. Then we jumped in again and came up close with one!! It was massive and graceful and swept underneath us. Really amazing! There was lots of 'sea lice' floating around that stung you and made it feel like a jellyfish sting. Apparently they're off jellyfish but the sting doesn't stay. Really prickly though. We snorkelled over shallower coral parts with loads of fish and saw Nemo! Then another massive ray before getting back in the boat to return to the island! I was freezing at this point! The driver let the American steer us back on the speed boat! 

Onto Bounty!

Woke for breakfast and to catch our boat to the next island. 6 of us leaving, four to bounty, two to beachcomber. We were waiting from 9-11:30 for our boat. Just sat around in the group talking and then with the workers singing to us. They are really good singers but wish we'd known the boat wouldn't be on time and we could have done something this morning! They gave us flowers for behind our ears and we signed the guest book. Just as we'd decided to sunbathe the boat turned up. We waded out to it, was pretty full this time round. Half way the driver stopped coz he'd spotted dolphins. There was about five swimming and popping out of the water, he helped us climb onto the front of the boat to see them.

We dropped the girls off at Beachcomber first. Tiny island where they were staying in a big 80 bed dorm. Party island though, wish we'd gone there, we've not done much at night so far and Jan said he'd had really good nights there. It looked lovely and you could here the music from the boat. Ours was another two islands on and right back at the mainland practically. 

Wasn't as warm a welcome as at Rata Kini and there is hardly anyone else staying here! There's a pool on this one so we've laid on the beds by that this afternoon. Got some snorkels but it's nowhere near as good as at Castaway. It'll be hard to beat that. Got music playing though which the other was lacking. Laura's loving the iPod. Laid here til the sun went down. And there's some turtles, we miss feeding tomorrow at 11 as we leave at 8:30.

Fijian night

Laura didn't want to go kayaking and there was only two available so me and Jan the German boy went. It was so difficult! But got the hang of it when got into a rhythm. Went out quite far, past the shipping lane to where the water got shallow again. Couldn't see any fish but coral. Kayaked to the point of Mana island and Jan sat on the beach for a bit coz he felt sick, think he'd got heat stroke really. Paddled back after about an hour and went and showered ready for Fijian night! This was our shack!

And there school. We walked through it to get to the beach and restaurant. They are all so cute saying Bula to everyone.

Me and Laura had a coconut souvenir from Castaway island an asked for them to crack it and put a straw in it. The guy took us to the village kitchen and opened peeled it on a sharp metal stick stuck in the ground. It wasn't very nice. Apparently you only drink and eat the green ones and cook with the brown. 

I didn't like much of the Fijian meal. The fish and chicken was good but the two types of potatoes were strange and there was a pile of wet spinach. We shared a chocolate fudge cake after. Had a few drinks and kept putting in the tab haha. Then after eating it was kava time! All the workers were in their own clothes so I felt this is what they do at night anyway, not much for them to do except sleep when they weren't working. 

Everyone sat in a circle on a grass mat around the kava bowl. They filled with water and then put the kava root in a fabri bag and washed and squeezed it until the water looked muddy. 

The cup is half a coconut and you say high tide or low tide for how full a cup you want. Then the cup gets passed around the circle. You have to clap your hands once take the cup, say Bula and they all say it back then drink all in one with out stopping and then clap three times. It was disgusting!!! Tasted like muddy water. Laura wasn't gonna finish but I told her it would be rude not to so she downed it and looked like she would be sick! I tried it twice, made your tongue tingle for a bit. The staff are all so happy, fun and laughing all the time. They turned into a house band singing us songs and playing instruments for ages and getting us to conga. There was a song where we all had to be an animal. And the 'monkey' he cried for me, and then we had to insert a noise or action. Me and Laura were a giraffe. 

After this, and a second bowl of kava, the villagers wouldn't stop drinking it even though a few didn't seem to enjoy it, all the English and Germans went to play cards. Spoons - which was a bit like chance the ace but when someone had collect four matching cards they had to pick up a spoon and then everyone to follow. There was one less spoon than people so someone would be out. Aggressive game! Me and Laura went to bed at 10ish while everyone stayed up til about 1. One of the English girls had gone missing after the kava and her friends had been looking for her. It turned out she'd been taken to a Fijian wedding reception by one of the guys and met all his family. He'd told her we'd all be coming so she was waiting for us! Apparently she returned quite disturbed looking ha.

Castaway Island trip

Signed up for the Castaway trip today so had breakfast at half 8 then collected snorkelling gear. Us and G got onto a little speed boat with two guides. Me and Laura sat on garden chairs! It was the most terrifying ride, so bumpy when we got out to sea. We were holding on to the sides and each other. They seemed to take us such a long way, pointing out different islands and views. I just wanted to get off the boat!!! 

The beach was beautiful and the sea so clear! Got straight into the water with snorkel. The fish were swimming as close as a meter to the sand and there was more and more the further you went. So many brightly coloured. Had been waiting for this! Felt like I was in an aquarium. Just floating around watching them all. Laura even did it! First time she'd swam in the sea without screaming! 

There is nothing on this island. There used to be a village and goats and iguanas but the man explained that when Christianity came to Fiji they all left to another island. He took us on an awful trek to the top of the mountain to see the look out. It was horrible in bikinis and flip flops!!! And such a long way up with no path. Wouldn't do it again. But this was the view...

As we left a boat load of snorkelers arrived. But other than them there had been just us and the guides who sat in the trees waiting for us. The boat ride back was a bit better, we sat in the floor this time! Arrived back in time for lunch, toasted cheese sandwich and chips. Never gonna loose weight with all these chips! And now laying in the sun! Bestest day! Would love to come and live on Fiji time without a plan. 

Mana Island

We left Bamboo on the Mana Flyer. A small speed boat taking 5 others to Mana Island too. We had to walk to it out in the sea with our rucksacks. The journey was about 45 mins and was beautiful watching small islands passby.

We got to our stop and swapped boats to one that was anchored bringing water, beer and fuel to the resort, where we waited for a small boat to collect us. We got on then they loaded it up with the crates and canisters. Felt like we would sink! The water was clear and you could see coral and fish!

Arrived at Ratu Kini backpackers, which is mixed in with a Fijian village. Just outside our dorm is a school and playground! We paid for our stay and was shown to the dorm with 6 bunk beds in. Laura number 12 and me number 10. It has a fan but only two plug sockets so you have to get in when no one else is. It's styled like it's being held up by tree trunks.

Made friends with a German boy called Jan, who arrived at the same time and is in opposite bunk. Sounded Australian rather than German! But turns out he went to high school in New Zealand. A guy from Slovenia who lives in Maidavale and a German girl who is camping outside our dorm! They all have lots of stories about travelling in Australia! 

Lunch was at half 12 so went straight Down to the restaurant after realising where we would be sleeping! They dinged a bell and we all queued for fish and chips! Two small lumps of battered fish. Enjoyed it! 

Stayed in this group and decided to walk to Dream Beach, which was a little track over a hill behind the village. Accompanied by three dogs who lead the way!!! They seemed to know where to take us. The man had said ask the dogs...lol.

Dream Beach was beautiful and untouched. The dogs loved it and headed straight into the sea. The tide was out so had to walk quite a long way out over the coral, ouch, to be able to swim. Me and the two boys went out quite a long way to where the floor kind of dropped over a ledge. It was so warm and pretty to look down. Also the saltiest sea ever and I couldn't not float! There was big blue starfish on the sea floor. We sunbathed, read and talked in paradise! We stayed from 1-4ish. Two locals, at different times, walked through the trees next to the beach and the dogs went mental, making sure they stayed away. The first even threw mangos at them, they were protecting us!! 

We went back and showered in the dark because there's no electricity from 3-5! Got a beer for $7.50 and went for dinner at 6:30, spag Bol. The workers sat around and sang songs and played music while we ate.

After dinner there was a crab race. We had to choose a crab for $5. I dropped ours so he did pretty well coming second with concusion! We won free kayak rental tomorrow as our prize  Sat around until half 8 and played cards. First night in the dorm and slept all the way through!

On to Mana!

Too tired to do the kava last night. But came out to eat a Fijian fish dish in coconut sauce. And weird potato things.

This place is surreal. People were sat at reception drinking kava, playing guitar, next to them a man was getting a tattoo and we met a guy from Cali who lives on his boat out there with his cat who swims in the sea! He lost everything in the financial crash, bought a boat on eBay for $1 and has been in the pacific islands for 3 years. All the English people here are living on Fiji time and have been here for weeks apparently doing nothing. Just lazing in the sun and talking to people. I want to come and spend months on Fiji alone! Travel the main land and then the islands at the most relaxed pace. 

Got woken up this morning by the workers in the kitchen at 6, but we were asleep by 8 so wasn't too bad. Just had some toast and have packed our rucksacks ready for this 5 day island trip! The boat will arrive at 10ish. It's so sunny and we're sweating a lot! 

Hello Paradise... Nadi

First day in Fiji after a long long flight. 24 hours since Dallas and a Monday lost. Fiji airlines was really cute with patterned cushions and blankets which we kept for beach towels.

It had rained overnight but the sun came out by 12. We were collected from the airport and driven to our hostel where we waited for our room to be ready. We took a rickety bus with no windows to Nadi town passing lots of shack houses. 

Strolled through the fruit and veg market where there was stalls covered in kava roots.

Craft and sari shops had beautiful fabrics. I love the tropical hand prints. All the men are wearing shirts like these. I bought a piece of artwork painted onto a tree bark. A woman explained that this is similar to their wedding dress, which has three pieces wrapped around the body. Men and women have different coloured prints. 

We walked to the end of town to the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere. It was beautiful, I could maybe have pushed to go in but didn't feel dressed suitably. But got some good photos to sketch from. The colours are stunning!

Now sat on the beach awaiting the kava activities this evening!