'Fiji Time'..........A Slow Introduction to the Fijian Way of Life

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12th - 13th - Nadi

Arriving at Aukland airport we discovered our flight had been brought forward by an hour so it was a rush to get through...but we just made it! On landing in Nadi we were taken by bus towards our accommodation for the night. It was a wet day in Nadi and the humidity was unbelievable. We passed locals selling fruit by the sides of the streets and the driving was chaoctic...it was just like being back in Asia! At our hostel we were greeted with a friendly welcome by the people working there. 'Bula!' which translates as hello yet means so much more.

13th - 15th - The Yasawas, Kuata

Having left our hostel early morning we headed down to the port of Denrau on an open air bus. We then boarded the Yasawa Flyer which would take us on our adventure around the Yasawa Islands. First stop, Kuata! Having been on the boat for 2 hours it had been fairly overcast all the way, however, as we arrived at Kuata the heavens opened! Due to the islands all being so small the Yasawa Flyer is unable to dock so the system in place is for each islands people to come out and collect travelers on small motorised boats. The rain didn't stop them! Our bags and us got well and truely soaked and on pulling up on the beach it really did feel like we had arrived on a deserted island (similar to the television series 'Lost') The Fijian guys on the boat found it hilarious as we traipsed up the beach dripping wet...they had no worries. Afterall we were on 'Fiji time'. We arrived at the village and it was basic but all we needed. As we were already drenched we ran straight down the white, sandy, palm lined beach and into the sea. It was as warm as a bath! We then dried off before eating lunch and taking part in some bracelet making with the local women. It was great fun as they laughed at my failing attempts to complete the banana leaf bracelet. They were all so friendly!

Awoke to some slightly better weather as I surveyed the beach from our hut. We had hopes of shark diving today providing the weather was better. To be honest, the sea was still fairly rough and as we made our way out to the reef we were holding on tight as the small boat smashed down after every wave. Again, the 2 Fijian guys remained in good spirits as one at the front pretended to ride his imaginary horse as we bounced over the waves. There was great excitement on the boat as we relished the prospect of swimming with sharks! We arrived at the reef and were told to stay to the left as to the right was where the reef dropped off and the man eating sharks lurked. Should we really be doing this! We jumped in armed with our mask and snorkel (at this point I was analysing the best way it could be used to combat a hungry shark) and set off down the reef. Within a few minutes the Fijian guy called us over to see the first shark. It was a slight shock but when it became clear they were not interested in all of us splashing around above, I began to enjoy the experience. We saw several more until we swam into a lagoon where there were around 10 of them! The Fijian man speared a fish and then the sharks dashed towards him to feed. He then took hold of one of the sharks and began stroking it!

In the evening we ate and were treated to some traditional Fijian dancing by the people of Kuata. We were then invited to sit down with the family and drink Kava (the traditional fijian drink made from the roots of the Kava plant) which inititates a sense of relaxation in those drinking it. With no disrespect it tasted like puddle water! But we carried on into the night with some acoustic guitar by the fire.

The next day we left Kuata with the people singing on the beach, bound for the Yasawa Flyer and our next stop...Long Beach Island.

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Photos

The lovely people
and he's a united fan....a bonus!

Comments

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