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Published: September 19th 2008
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Backflip off the boat
The first night on the Wanna Taki cruise 19th - 21st June - The Wanna Taki Cruise
It was time to board the Wanna Taki Cruise which many people picked as the highlight of their trip. We hoped it would live up to expectations! Having only had fairly basic rice dishes for the last week or so we were definitely looking forward to the BBQ buffets promised! On board we joined the crowd as we were shown our beds in the 24 person dorm. This was going to be fun! After a few introductions we moored up and were taken to an offshore reef for some snorkelling. Unfortunately my mask wasn't up to much so, after feeling like a goldfish for half an hour I retired.
That evening the fun really began as after an amazing dinner we played several games ( some of which involved alcohol!). One particularly strange one was when we split into opposing teams and had to pass a playing card from one end of the line to the other by sucking it against our mouths...don't be too alarmed! At sunset Ross and I decided to do some high diving off the boat against a spectacular horizon. We had to ensure we were
on the boat by dark though as these waters were supposedly Barracuda infested and they weren't joking! Later on that evening one of the staff pulled one up on the end of a line!
Next morning I had a rude awakening as a strange Japanese man came over the tannoy singing rather strange songs and encouraging everyone in the 24 man dorm to wake up...this was met with a chorus of abuse from everyone! Snorkelling and high diving was the order of the day before several members of the group left the cruise to be replaced with some fresh faces. Today I embarked upon a personal mission to complete a backflip off the side of the boat courtesy of my highly accredited coach...Ross Macfarlane. After hours of practise, and some rather painful belly flops, I did it! That evening was filled with further excitement as the Hermit Crab Championships were to take place. This involves several Hermit Crabs being placed in the centre of a circle and the first one out wins. I handpicked my competitor...he had all the attributes to distinguish him as a speed demon! Unfortunately though he was not on form and came near last.
Having been on the cruise for two days we all agreed it was the best time spent in Fiji so far. We said goodbye to the crew in the traditional way...with a song and made the short trip to our penultimate destination, Manta Ray Island.
21st - 22nd June - Manta Ray Island
Manta Ray Island Resort is defintely a step up from the others. It seemed more accustomed to catering for families rather than the pennyless backpacker. But this didn't matter as it was all inclusive! We were taken to the top terrace for introductory drinks and spectacular views over the turquoise waters. Volleyball was to follow as we put the skills practised on Long Beach into action. The Fijian men love a bit of mid game banter as they chose to call anyone who didn't complete a serve a Bhutuwala...which apparently translates as Gay!?
Next day James and I went snorkelling hoping to catch sight of Manta Rays, something that these waters are reknowned for. Unfortunately we had no luck and with that we grabbed our belongings and made the 2 hour journey on the Yasawa Flyer back down to South Sea Island. There was
good news as we had heard that some friends from New Zealand, Kain and Judy, had arrived there also....
22nd - 24th June - South Sea Island & The Seaspray Cruise
The rumours proved true as on arrival we met Kain and Judy. We spent the evening on the beach with a beer watching the sunset and reminiscing about the great times we have had so far. It doesn't get much better than this!
Next day we had booked onto the Seaspray Cruise which would take us around a different group of islands named the Mamanuca Islands and to the infamous Modriki Island featured in the Tom Hanks movie Castaway. Kain and Judy had managed to grab the last two places on the trip and joined us. First stop was an Yanuya Island where a traditional Fijian tribe still lived. We were expected to follow tradition by making an offering of Kava so armed with our Sulu's (the traditional Fijian dress, similar to a sarong) we entered into the main hut and met with the head of the tribe. Kain and James were selected and went through a rather tense ceremony where we were finally welcomed and
were then free to roam the shell markets which the Fijian women had worked so hard to set up. On we went then back to the Seaspray sailing boat to indulge in an all you could eat BBQ. At this point if I'd have fallen overboard I don't think I would have made it! We then moored up offshore of Modriki Island and swam in. It was spectacular (I find myself using this word a lot to describe the scenery in Fiji...but thats just what it is!) and we were able to recognise a few of the scenes featured in the Castaway movie. Having attempted some spear fishing and coconut collecting...failing miserably...we realised that we would have stood little chance of survival if we really had been stranded. Having made our way back to the boat we made use of the all inclusive alcohol on the journey back to South Sea Island. A great day had by all.
The next day was our last in Fiji and having said some sad goodbyes to Kain and Judy and several others we made our way on the Yaswa Flyer back to the port of Denrau. However, today was destined to be
one of the strangest in my life as I would see Tuesday 24th June 2008 twice! This was due to us flying from Fiji, over the international date line, to The United States Of America. Having become suitably wound down after our time in Fiji we were all excited about the prospect of America where everything is bigger and better! So for now it is farewell to Fiji as we board our longest flight of the gap year...America awaits...
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