Fiji
Trip Start
Mar 30, 2009
1
6
8
Trip End
Jun 29, 2009
Nadi,
Viti Levu,
Fiji
Thursday, May 28, 2009
So I board the plane in NZ whether the weather was slowly getting colder and after a few hours get off in Fiji where obviously there was a noticeable temperature difference!The airport is quite small and after customs I was welcomed by a Fijian who gave me a necklace to welcome me to their country. Off to the hostel where I watch a fire dancing display in the hostel next door and turn in for a fairly early night as it is up early the next day. The following morning there are hoardes of backpackers all waiting to catch the bus to the harbour to get on the boat that will take us to the various islands. It;s not long before I recognise faces from the evening before so by the time we get to the first island we've formed a small group of peole which is nice. The first island is north of the Yasawas and as well as being a holiday home for us it is also very much a community. Every mealtime they sing and perform and get us to participate in fun activities. And every time, one of the Fijians cannot keep a straight face for some reason or other - bit like me really!The dorm is interesting with what looks like 20 children dorm beds and not one of the guys is able to sleep straight, ah the joys of being short...!Only downside to the beautiful island is the weather, somehow it is not sunny!So after two days it is off to the next island which is fantastic and they even served us spag bol for dinner!The meals in Fiji are fantastic and they always serve lots of fresh fruit. We take a boat out to swim with some Manta Rays and by the time we jump into the water we've scared ourselves something horrible with the fear of sharks being in the water, nonsense really!Anyway no luck with the manta rays so we try again the morning we leave the island and we have better luck! But even without the manta rays, snorkelling over the coral reefs is pretty cool!The last island we stay at is in my opinion the most beautiful and we are reunited with Jenny who spent two nights on a different island and us 3 girlies spend the day trying to tan as much as poss!And as you will see from the photos when I get the chance to put them up it is pure paradise. Alex and I take a short ride in the submarine but that actually left the two of us feeling a wee bit seasick lol!So after 5 nights on the islands it is back to the main island for me for two nights. The hostel there is amazing as it also functions as a hotel so as a result the meals they serve are delicious!On the second day I go for a ride along the beach. They do things quite differently there as expected. For starters there's no hat so you just have to rely on your skills and hope for a nice horse.....Also made the mistake of wearing shorts which reslted in a nasty wound but anyway.....the guy reckons i'll probably be a pretty good rider so leaves me to navigate the beach by myself. At first I don't think much of the horse as I cannot get it to canter much more than 5 strides even though I was promised a fast horse. However after some distance the horse suddenly stops and turns round and literally sprints the whole way back - now that is more like it!! Just a brilliant feeling galloping along the beach!
So I definitely enjoyed my time in Fiji though a shame that there was very little sun!But it's on onwards and upwards to Sydney and to see Victoria there!
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