Fiji and home

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16/10 Uneventful flight of 10 hours (our longest), tiring to say the least. Lost a day flying over the date line as well. Arrived in Fiji around 6am and were met by a Navini rep. who drove us a marina where we were picked up by Islands' boat. They had problems restarting it so we were offered drinks at the cafeteria, coffee for me, beer for Jac and Joodz. After half an hour we were off, an excellent way to start our stay with a 40 minute boat ride across the Mamanuca Strait to Navini, our tropical paradise. We stepped off the boat into the shallows, the water was lovely and warm, met by the ever smiling Fijian assistant manager and escorted to the office/shop/library for a run down on the island, our Bure was ready but as it was only 8am were offered breakfast. They have a communal eating area, where they have long tables so everyone is sitting together. We were sharing the island with 14 other guests, 4 arrived with us. The brekky was delicious with lots of choices. As soon as we'd finished eating we were given the lunch menu to make our choices, this also happened after lunch for our dinner. We could have eaten a 4 course meal at every sitting also every night before our meal we would sit in a circle and partake of pre-dinner cocktails. All meals were served at set times, one of the islanders would beat a drum summoning us to gorge. After brekky we escorted to our home for 3 nights in paradise. Nothing to do but swim, read, lie about and drinks till the next meal.
17/10 Just another day in paradise. Went for a swim before breakfast, then a swim after breakfast. Navini is a coral island with crystal clear blue water, perfect for snorkelling which we didn't get around to doing, we swam with baby reef sharks and lots of other fish. Relaxed until lunch time reading and just doing nothing. More swimming after lunch and more laying around doing nothing, just waiting for the jungle drums to call us to our next feed. Walked around the island after dinner, it only takes about 15 minutes.
18/10 After too perfect days of sunshine it had to rain, it bucketed all day but was still lovely and warm. Nothing like sitting on the porch looking out over the ocean at other islands and listening to the rain on the tin roof. The only downer was the morning trip to a native village on another island was cancelled, so instead we were offered coconut tasting and basket weaving using coconut leaves, Jac declined but Joodz and I participated. It was fun but I failed miserably and Ari finished up making mine, unfortunately we weren't allowed to bring them back due to quarantine. Every morning they have some kind of activity, being boat trip, fishing trip, snorkelling or diving. Also every afternoon they have volleyball, around 4:30 in the afternoon one of the natives walks around the island bellowing "volleyball", anyone who's interested can join in.....we declined, for us it was our before dinner drinks and relaxing time. Dinner was a traditional Fijian banquet, can't remember the name but is like a Kiwi Hungi, everybody had to wear their sarong or no dinner. After dinner we had a Kava Ceremony and dancing, what a hoot, as usual we were pigs.
19/10 Thankfully the weather had cleared although the crossing was rougher than coming over we didn't get wet. Joodz went for a swim before leaving but it was a bit too cold for me and Jac, however I did paddle my feet in the Pacific for the last time. We love it so much here we're planning on coming back for a week next October......recommend it to anyone, but if you can't get by without your T.V. or computer, I'd suggest you go somewhere else :o). One more plane ride to go, only a short 3 hour hop to Auckland. Didn't get to our hotel in Auckland till after 8 and it was too far out of the city to do anything so a couple of drinks at the bar and then off to bed, early flight tomorrow and have to be at the airport by 7am.
20/10 Homeward bound after an hour delay leaving. How exciting Russell Ebert was on our flight and he flies economy. I travelled half way round the world before I saw someone famous!! Flight was good as we had individual entertainments centres, I watched 2 movies which made the 5 hour trip go quick. Arrived home around lunch time, nice to be home........I think :o) Time to save up for the next one.


18/10

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