Fiji

How to describe  this beautiful place. Let me start from the begging.


As soon as we landed we got to feel the humidity while  waiting in long and slow moving  line for the customs.
I found a beaten down taxi to take me to the Beach resort hotel. Small paradise owned by NZ couple. It was a nice transition into holidays mood.

I walked the hour walk into the center the next day, passing the occasional house and men with machete.
The town itself wasn't very special, with tourist shops and lots of traffic. It took me while to find what I came for. The local fruit market. It has been a while since I photographed people so I suddenly felt shy. I soon got over it, locals love to have their photos taken! And they do like to smile.

Island hopping
I bought a pass for the Adventure Flier. I didn't have much time to research all the options, so just got the double coconut pass which included transfer and accommodation. Big mistake. I should know better than buying tourist packages! It turn out they do limit where I can stay and if I wanted to go to the most popular (and nicer) islands I had to pay extra. So if you ever go to Island hop in Fiji,... just buy the boat transfer and book your own accommodation.



Beachcomber Island

My first stop was small Island with Beachcomber resort on it. I don't think I was ever on island this small. It took me 10 min to slowly walk around. Beachcomber has the biggest dorm I have ever seen. My bed in just female section had number 84. It actually was nicely organized and there was only 6 of us, thanks to the slow season. This Island is called the party island and so that is what we did.

Sea Snake was hanging out around the rocky area. 

Staff singing Bula ( welcome) song.

Octopus resort
Next stop was on my absolutely favorite Island of Waya. Octopus resort is set on the lovely beach, with palm trees. We were welcomed with smiles. I felt right at home.
I hiked the steep trail to the view point, explored the beautiful life corral reef just of the beach, drank kava (sedative drink made from powder of the kava plant roots) with the village eldest, watched the traditional dances and even danced with the locals, watched amazing sunset and ate the most delicious food. Having flower behind your ear just to let everybody know you are still single and looking ( left side) or married ( right).  Good times.

View from the challenging hike to the mountain

Kava ceremony in the village

Safe Landing
Was the biggest disappointment .Old resort, with not so white and not so nice beach. Dirty bathrooms and dirty sheets. Let's don't even talk about the food ....
I took the tour to the nearby Blue Lagoon to enjoy lovely beach and snorkeling where the Blue Lagoon movie was filmed.


Next stop was Barefoot Resort. 

Nice backpacker"s spot with 3 beaches and good vibes. It is located next to the Manta Chanel, where elegant and magnificent manta rays come to feed. I was lucky to see three of those huge, but harmless creatures while drift snorkeling from the boat.
The time went by fast, swimming, working on my tan, kayaking around the island and drinking Barefoot wine watching sunset made for lovely time.

Octopus resort for the second time
I got of the boat on Waya Island at Octopus Resort for few more days. Few days turned into 2 weeks. There is something about this place. The way people make you feel at home, remembering your name, smiling and occasionally hugging you for no reason, putting extra flowers on your bed. It was easy to get used to relaxing, running on the beach, snorkeling , watching sunsets with happy hour drink in your hand and socialising at dinner. Sitting with the local guys playing guitars and ukulele, singing and drinking endless Kava till late.

I was sad leaving on the boat towards the main land, leaving new friends behind. I hope I will come back one day and I am sure when I will, it will feel like coming home.

I caught the overnight flight from Nadi to LA. Traveling against time is always interesting. My day lasted 43 hours and I got to see 2 sunsets the same day. One in Fiji and one in Oakland, CA.

I will be in California for 3 months now, visiting friends, but mostly just hanging out in small rafting town of Coloma.
I know I am not much of a traveler lately. All the traveling made me realise that it is nice to find home. I will be flying back to NZ and keep working in Kinloch Lodge, as I rather enjoy my job in the kitchen and it is a great opportunity to recharge on money ( and you need money to travel, you do) .

For now have a lovely Summer ( or Winter in NZ).