We had decided beforehand to stay 2 weeks in Fiji so luckily when we arrived to baskingly hot weather with a steel band playing on our arrival we were happy with our decision. We were then gifted with the local beads. Everyone (including the men) were adorned with a flower in their hair (even though it is illegal to be gay there). They were very helpful and friendly and since we had been trying for so long the day before to secure a hostel booking I made another one to be on the safe side. However, when logging on at the airport I found a confirmation from Tubakula. Anyway, what with being up all night and feeling so tired and now really hot and sweaty, when we came through the airport and saw a sign with Karen's name we just automatically loaded our luggage with our chap and off we went. How will you get to Tubakula then. he said "Where are you taking us then."" I said. It turned out that he had not received our cancellation so we were in the wrong bus haaaaaaaaaaaa. We then spent some time with the rep in order to rectify this and then nearly got on another wrong bus ha. Luckily we got there in the end and met a lovely older couple from Melbourne, so of course for the next hour we bored them with our stories of Oz.
Many people had warned us that Nadi (pronounced Nandi) was not the best place to stay so we decided to go to the Coral Coast as three lovely Irish lasses Catrina, Phillipa and Aishling that we had already met in New Zealand were also going there a week later and that we could all be there together.
On arrival to our ranch, we noticed that the weather had started to turn. It then rained the rest of the day, hmmm how rude. Our beach bungalow was very basic but we managed to adjust over the course of a few days. However, there were cows, horses and toads galour roaming around most nights and gechos, beatles, hornet type things and general bugs the rest of the time so we did have a few scary moments. Luckily by this time we had made friends with our local security man Matthew who often came to the rescue should he be required. He was a lovely chap and we nicknamed our bungalow Toad Hall ha.
The pool was nice and the beach was ok but just up the road there was the Resort of Outrigger. Very posh and a bit pricey, but was open to everyone thankfully. We therefore spent the next night there bumping into the couple we met from the airport transfer then chatting to some of the staff like you do. They are so friendly the Fijians and were very sweet and really loved the English. We sat drinking cocktails listening to the band with the waves crashing in the distance - how awful. We then somehow got involved in the local Kava ceremony which is a local ritual and is rather like dirty water and tastes like crap ha. As you will see from the picture I was really into character.
Since the weather still wasn't the best we thought it a good idea to investigate the local town of Sigatoka. A mere 5 minute taxi ride to an abundance of locals selling and bartering for their wears. After any hour of hustle and bustle and being offered their assistance in shopping around the town, we managed to find a little bar to take shelter in until the madness died down. What a surprise.
At this point, we decided to take some trips further up the coast in order to hunt for the sunshine, but before venturing further afield we took a day trip to Suva town. This was a similar place to Sigatoka so we just wandered around, stopped outside the Presidents house for some snaps of his guard and grounds, then had lunch at the Holiday Inn before returning to Toad Hall. That night we met Lindsey and Josh from England who were there travelling as a couple. We shared stories so it made the evening go quickly.
The next day we took a 5 island boat trip to see the sights. There were only 8 guests plus 5 crew so the day was really special. The weather was delightful, the food was lovely, especially the champagne breakfast and free all day drinking. This is when we met our lovely new Fijian friends, Losalini and Phillip. We sang songs with the crew, drank, ate and took in the views. We visited two uninhabited islands called Snorkel Island and Honeymoon Island and on route sailed passed Bounty, South Sea and Treasure Island, which we had heard so much about. On arrival to Honeymoon Island, Karen was so eager to get off the boat that she practically fell out getting her leg wedged underneath it. It was the funniest thing and you should have seen the look on her face haaaa classic. Although admittedly everyone did stand up as she got off so I suppose that may not have helped in her cause. It was a glorious day and on leaving the boat arranged to visit Los and Phil at the restaurant she worked at the following week for a farewell meal. We then decided to change our plan slightly so we could spend our last night with them.
A few days later we went to Mana Island and as you will see from the pics was one of the best islands that we visited. It was red hot, beautiful, full of things to do and the food was nice too. We swam in the pool, swam in the ocean and generally lazed around and relaxed and whilst doing so the friendly local doggie came to meet and greet us. I think you will agree how cute he is in the pics. We loved it there so much that we asked to stay the night until we found out it would be $393 dollars for a basic room for one night. Needless to say we caught the boat back later as planned - a real shame though it was stunning and definately a place for a honeymoon.
In between trips we watched the England fottie and whilst doing so met a lovely French chap Jeremy. He was travelling with his wife Gail who did not really like footie, but whom we then met the following night when going to Outrigger for dinner. They were so lovely and the following night we spent with them on our Toad Hall balcony sharing drinks and stories.
After a week at the ranch the lovely Irish lasses arrived so we drank, shared stories, sunbathed, had dinner and generally caught up on the gossip. It was lovely to see them all again, what lovely girls.
We then took a day trip to Robinson Crusoe Island. Here we saw a fire show, a local juice coconuts and weave hats and bags from the vine leaves of their trees, had a hunghi buffet (cooked in the ground) by our lovely and very friendly locals Ziggy, Joe and La Tu who were very talented and hospitable.
On our last night we met up with Los and Phillip and a friend of theirs Junior for a lovely steak meal at her place of work. The evening was lovely, the conversation was amusing and the band even sang us a farewell song. We were very touched and will keep in touch with them as they were so lovely.
The following day we left for our final Island trip to Castaway. This too was a lovely place and although a bit overcast, swam, drank, ate from the A la Carte menu, took in the scenery and lazed on the beach. We then saw a couple get married as the sun set over the ocean. Another great trip to a beautiful place. It was all a mad rush back from this place as the boat was late so we had a quick change then went straight to the airport where we boarded our plane to Los Angeles.
