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Published: December 31st 2007
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An 11 hour flight put us over the date line minus a day in the southern hemisphere Fiji islands. Waking up on the flight to find a large Fijian man sitting next to me was a shock to say the least. Space being at a premium i later spread out to hog our precious extra seat.
Stepping off the plane we breathed in the warm humid air tinged with a scent of smoke, the sugarcane. We were introduced to Fiji time straight away with a large immigration queue. How long does it take to stamp a plane full of Americans and Aussies in? Fijian guys with ukeles played to sooth the crowd.
We received our obligatory shell necklace next and were shown to our booking office to receive instructions and vouchers for our holiday. It was nice everything went smoothly. Our entire trip had been booked from the internet while in London. One thing we didn't book was the helicopter flight so we were told we had to wait till their office opened so we went to have a bit of brekkie. Fatigue was setting in but luckily the chopper crew were ready a bit early and we went to
their office to get weighed and kitted up with lifejackets. It wasn't either of our first time on a helicopter but nevertheless exciting. After the first couple boarded we were waved on in military style and safely strapped in and kitted with earphones. And off we went! We flew out from Nadi airport straight over the ocean to the Mananuca islands. The pilot was good pointing out all the different islands and reefs we went past. It was a beautiful day and the ocean was deep blue and then aqua where there was a reef. It literally took all of ten minutes to reach Matamanoa Island, some 30kms off the coast. Feeling slightly like film stars we got off the chopper and were met by Benny, a rather gay Fijian guy. He showed us to the bar where we started on our complimentary mocktail while filling out the island registration.
We had a beachfront bure which was really nice with a big hammock out front and deck chairs facing the sea. Steps led down to the sea and reef.
Island time began.... a week of sun, some wind, one afternoon of rain, a fair bit of snorkelling and relaxing.
It felt great to shed the winter gear and change into thongs and bathers. The air was just perfect temperature most the time with a sea breeze.
One day we went on the shell village trip to Tavua Island. It was a hot day and our crazy guide Oni had been on the kava as usual the night before, crazy eyes! He could still drive the speedboat thankfully.
We got shown around to the churches, one still being built. The village was basic obviously but it was interesting to see how the locals live. It was a boiling hot day but we got served tea and buns and sweated it out inside the female bure. Oh boy was it hot. Everyone gradually drifted out of the bure as soon as was polite. Then it was kava time on the verandah with Nick trying his first taste. He was presented a bowl of what looks like muddy clay water. It tastes much the same, its made from the yangona plant and is slightly narcotic which is why it gives your mouth and lips a tingle. Being pregnant this time I got out of it. But I have had my fare
share of the stuff on previous visits.
Next was a demonstration of pottery making and the women then spread out their shell market for us to look at and presumably buy. A lot of it was just souvenir stuff from Nadi. We bought a couple of small obligatory items and beelined it to the beach and boat. By this stage the sea had picked up a little due to wind and it was a slightly hairy trip back to the resort with me and a few of the Brits looking a bit green around the gills.
The snorkelling on the island was great. Some of the best I've ever done has been in Fiji. The reef is right off the beach and we went round the opposite side to the resort to do some. It was nice to do an activity together finally. We saw such vibrant corals and fish, many were bright blue even the starfish. Floating in the warm Pacific water was enjoyable surrounded by a huge amount of fish. We even saw a couple of reef shark in the drop off zone.
Perhaps Nick and I just look newly married despite the baby bump but again
we found ourselves presumed to be honeymooners. On awaking we had a wooden sign with our names carved in it hung on our door and a bottle of champers and a fruit platter soon arrived by Benny. But oh well who can complain about such things. We were surrounded by actual honeymooners judging from other signs on doors. Next door was 'Kenny', a beefy Aussie guy with a tank top that read 'bring back the biff'. He was quite amusing in his ocker nature. At the crab race night he made us laugh without intending too. Him and his missus betting on every crab until ending up with the Czech one. National athems were sung with the best being the little Kiwi dude who started out singing the anthem and ending in a massive Maori chant. When it came to the American crab that couple did a derogatory bum dance much to the annoyance of the real American's in the crowd.
The winning crab was Fiji, not rigged or anything! Then came crab carnage as one woman dropped a few. Crab cruelty! Someone stepped on one. Until the crabs were then rescued and set free in the garden.
Being the
wet season it was inevitable that we get some rain. It was only one afternoon that we were confined to the bure. But it was fun to make up games such as scattergories and guess that person. There was more wind than anything which was a bit annoying for those of us that like sun on the beach.
Eventually our island time came to an end and it was time to leave for the mainland by boat this time. The boat went via a few of the smaller islands such as Castaway and it was a windy overcast day so not that great at sea. We arrived at Denarau wharf and got a taxi to our hotel the Westin Denarau, which is part of the Sheraton complex. It was very nice and we had a lovely room with balcony near the sea.
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