It’s been a couple weeks since I returned from Fiji and there has been a lot happening – but I’m going to save that for another blog. I have a few more weeks at home too before I return to work on the ships – again more in another blog. But this last weekend, I took a mini trip into the southern states for a wedding! I met Logan the first time I worked on the Destiny. We lived across the hall from each other and were really good friends. We were reunited a year later on the Glory and at that time he had just started seeing Cristina. They did another contract together and Cristina has since moved from Romania to Arkansas. They invited me to their wedding at their home in Arkansas and I ... read more

It’s my final full day and night in Fiji and what a great way to spend it! First thing this morning I took the bus back to the Denarau Marina to catch one of the ferries. I rode out to Mana Island where I then transferred to the Seaspray – a tall sailing ship. Right away we were greeted with champagne and snacks for a light breakfast. We sailed around Mana and headed off to the West, past more of the Mamanuca Islands. We were headed for Mondriki – the uninhabited island where the movie Castaway was filmed. We anchored off shore and I jumped into the water. I swam/snorkeled my way along the island’s reef and eventually reached the beach. Mondriki is so beautiful. It’s amazing how even though a major Hollywood movie filmed there ... read more

Two days ago I left the Northern Yasawas. The Yasawa Flyer (the boat I’ve been getting around on) went through the Blue Lagoon before we headed back down south. I stood up on the top deck and took photos, enjoyed the view one more time. Later that afternoon, I arrived at Mantaray Island where I’ve spent the last couple nights. Mantaray Island is named because in the waters nearby Manta Rays swim in the channel. Seasonally, you can snorkel with them. My guide book as well as a few things I’d read online before I left home said that the season went through into October, so I’d thought perfect, I’ll be able to see them. Once I reached the Yasawas however and met other travelers, I’d heard that the manta rays had already left! Sure enough, ... read more

This afternoon, right after lunch, I said farewell to the island of Nacula where I’d been staying on a stunning beach. Then I cross the water to the next island over, Tavewa, where I’ll be staying for two nights. I’m staying now at another backpackers resort called Coral View. It doesn’t have the gorgeous beach out front, but I still really like it here. The property is spread out. All the buildings are within gardens. The pathways are lined with bushes with brightly coloured flowers. And my bed is super comfy! I spent some time exploring the property and the area around it. Behind my dorm is a pathway that leads to another beach on the Eastern side of the island. It’s nice but when I went over it was low tide so it wasn’t the ... read more

Today rather than “just” spending time on the (gorgeous) beach where I’m staying, I signed up for one of the resort’s tours. Soon after breakfast, myself and three other guests boarded the resort’s small motorboat and headed out across the stunning sparkling blue water. Sawa-i-Lau is a small island, one of the most Northern islands in the Yasawas. The Yasawa islands are made from volcanic rock, but Sawai-i-Lau is limestone. On the island is a cave system that you can swim in and that’s where we headed. It was about half an hour by boat from our resort on Nacula to the beach at Sawa-i-Lau. The views along the way were beautiful but the sea is pretty choppy today so the ride was rough. From the beach, we took a set of concrete steps up, then ... read more