Fiji one more time

Fiji one more time

Three months in California went by fast and I had great time visiting friends in Coloma. My Summer was full of sun, river, friends, music, pizza and beer.
I decided to change my flight and add few more weeks in Fiji, mostly because I realized how cold New Zealand still is in September. I wanted more sun and beach time and more time with my new Fiji friends!

Waya Island

Fast flight to LA and after navigating through the large and confusing airport was happy to get on the plane. Flight was rather pleasant. I was lucky to have line of 4 empty chairs all for myself. I stretched my legs and slept almost the whole 10 hours.

Fog over San Franciso

Fiji immigration was pretty fast. It was only 5.30 am and we were the only flight inn this early. I had 2 hours to wait for my transfer to the Waya Island.

The Aftershock speed boat was speeding over the big waves, I found a nice seat, where the salt water splashed on my feet. I was loving the views, passing islands, looking forward to be back on my favorite island.

It felt like coming back home while being welcomed by the always friendly staff.

Soon enough I adjusted to my new routine. Morning run on beach, long breakfast, pool time, snorkeling, reading books, fish for lunch, evening walk, happy hour gin&ton, sunset and tasty dinner. Than few more drinks, than good sleep...... repeat... life is simple in paradise.

Baby story
One evening at dinner time, boat came from the village to borrow some  gasoline. They were taking pregnant woman from the village to the nurse at the neighbor island.  They got what they needed and left, just to come back 10 minutes later. It was too late. The woman was in labor.
Luckily there was an American doctor and  German nurse ( with over 2000 labors on her account ) at the resort vacationing.  So it happened that a baby boy was born in the resort's owner's room. They named the baby Dave after the owner, who was there helping to deliver the baby.

Times flies by fast in Paradise. And my 7 days stay was over. I was sad to say good-byes, buy it was time to explore more of Fiji.

Trip to Levuka

 I stayed in Smugglers hostel in Nadi for one night and left early the next morning for bus station. The bus station was the usual controlled chaos. When the bus arrived I learned that Fiji people don't just politely wait, they just push and go for it... so I pushed my way in too and got me a nice front seat.
The 4 hours drive to Suva was relaxing. The flat and dry land around soon change for hills covered in lush green vegetation. The more west we went the more dense the jungle looked.

Suva didn't impress me much, but being honest, I only saw little. I had to catch my bus to take me to the ferry to Levuka. I found the right bus stop and 45 min of bus ride got us to the harbor just in time for the ferry.
It was rather busy, it turned out that there is going to be an important rugby tournament and most of the teams were on the ferry. It only took 45 min on board and we were nearing Ovalau Island. The buses disembarked and headed towards Levuka in nerve-wracking speed on the one lane unpaved and very curvy road.
As soon as we made it to Levuka I knew it was in for a treat.

Levuka, Fiji's old capital

Charming main street lined up with old, pastel colored buildings. You feel like being in a different world all together.
I stayed in Royal Hotel, the oldest operating hotel in the South Pacific. Rooms were charming with it's sloping floors and old furniture.

The town was buzzing with excitement over the big rugby match. I had a blast walking around, taking photos and eating tasty street snacks being sold in front of the stores.

Levuka is not very touristy, so you for sure get lot's of "bulas" from friendly locals.
I had the most amazing fish in coconut sauce in Whale's Tale restaurant. Yummy.
Prices in this little town are very local and it was pleasant to pay only some 40 Fijian $ for room and less than $15 for good dinner.

I explored around and walked up the hills for nice views, even walked on the trail towards the summit of the hill, just to turn around after seeing few spiders the size of my hand.
I had nice few days in this lovely colonial town, where time is for sure a Fiji time.

Caqalai Island
Only 40 min on the small boat, that can only pick you up at high tide and I was dropped off on the cutest paradise Island.

Few yellow huts, small beaches with coconut trees and the fact that there were only 3 of us visiting, made me feel like being in the paradise. I would stroll around the Island( 15 min walk) followed by the 2 resident dogs, who soon adopted me for company for the next 2 days.
When the tide is low, you can walk almost all the way to the Snake Island, which actually had lot's of corral snakes around.

Snake Island

Dinners were lovely and the staff build bonfire for us for the evening. My French friends could play quitare and watching the stars was better than any TV program would ever be. When the fire burned out, we were invited to join the kava ceremony and had lot's of laughs with the local guys.

I left early in the morning on the boat that took me up to the bay and up the river all the way to the  bridge near the island's small airport. I treated myself to a flight back to Suva.

Airport on Ovalau 

I spent few hours walking around Suva. I visited the craft market and bought some presents and than headed back on to Nadi on the bus.

Last night in Nadi, last Indian food for dinner, early night. I was leaving for the airport early in the morning by taxi.
3 hours of flight and I was in Auckland, NZ. Ready for one more season in lovely Kinloch Lodge.