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Saved: September 15th 2021
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The last few days have been a perfect end to my holiday. Can't believe I'll be on my way back to Canada in a few hours. Life has slowed down here for me, and I wonder if I'll be in slow motion when I get home?
I never made it up for a Fijian sunrise, but considering I'm on holiday, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Since I arrived here, I haven't missed a sunset though.
My late afternoon ritual has been pretty much the same each day. At about half past four, I return my snorkeling fins to the dive shop, and gather my things to hop in the shower at 5pm when the water is turned back on. Once the sand and the salt water are washed off, I head up towards the main bure.
The first night I had a drink and watched the sunset from the deck. The next day at lunch, I noticed a switch for sunsets. Hmmmm. I thought Canadians were the only ones who turned nature on and off for the benefit of tourists....
The second night I decided to make the trek down to the sunset beach. I had
to pass through the staff quarters to get to the beach, which had the softest, whitest sand I've ever seen. The sunset was to the accompaniment of the staff preparing their own evening meals. One of the staff was swimming, and occasionally he was silhouetted against the waning sun. There was only a scattering of people sharing the sunset with me. Down at one end of the beach a couple shared a bottle of wine. I later learned this is an evening ritual of theirs, wherever they are.
After the evenings darkened, I would watch bats swooping over the island. There is something fascinating about seeing bats come out--it's like they are soldiers, flying out into the night to protect us from bugs.
Last night there was a bonfire on the beach. We stayed down there quite late watching the stars, talking, and laughing. I've made great friends on this island--it's been a huge part of what has made the stay here so great! We turned in when the warm, gentle rain started.
Our last farewell from this island was the staff singing the Fijian farewell song "Isa Isa" before we got back on the boats that
took us to the Yasawa Flyer, and from there, to the main island. I'm glad I decided this island was the last one I visited in Fiji.
Getting back to Nadi after being in the Yasawas was surreal--I think my holiday felt over then. It was the smokiness in the air that did it. I will forever associate that smell with Nadi.
Right now, I still have sand in my sandals (despite washing my feet when I boarded the Yasawa Flyer), my sunburnt face is peeling, and I'm tired. I'm not looking forward to eighteen hours in airports and on planes without any lotion/moisturizer to soothe my sunburns. Stupid terrorists.
I've had some fun adventures here, especially getting between Nadi and Levuka and then back again. Fiji has left a strong impression on me. It has made me grateful for how much I have in my life, but also a little ashamed that I don't do more for others whether it's volunteering or giving more to good causes. The trick when I get home will be to figure out how to change this! These islands are beautiful, and the people are amazing. We assume that living in
the South Pacific must be so idyllic, but I think it must be a hard life. And yet there is more joy in the faces of people here than back home in Canada.
Vinaka vakalevu. Au na lesu tale mai.
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Keith
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Wonderful pictures Tannis
Your photogrophy is wonderful, as are your descriptions of events.