If Beachcomber Island is the party island, then Manta Ray is paradise. A dingy brought us from the main boat to the island where we were greeted by a Fijian band and given frozen papaya juice and a tour of our facilites. The dorms were nicer than Beachcomber, and the island was much bigger, though the beachfront was probably about the same size. We did get some rain that started around 5pm and didn't really let up for the night, but I was actually happy to have a little break from the heat! Technically, it is the wet season, so we really lucked out with weather. The main island was so flooded last week that they had to import fruit from New Zealand. We ended up meeting some British and Irish folks and played card games ... read more

Bula! I have arrived safely in Fiji. It is wicked hot here (in a fabulous sunny way) with some really funny brief mist storms (we're talking 45 seconds apiece). Needless to say, I've been lazing by the pool all day. My hostel is ridiculously nice, especially for (ahem) $9.00 a night. To see pics: http://www.nomadsskylodge.com/ppc/offer02-google-nomadsskylodge.php?gclid=CN67sIOetZgCFRwDagodGQTMUg#facilities I met a great girl at the airport, Sandra, and she is not only in my same room at the hostel but she's also going on the same island hopping tour with me tomorrow. So great. She's from Germany and worked for Red Bull but just graduated so now she's on a 4 month travel stint. There have been floods in the islands (it's the wet season) and I guess that some flights were even canceled here last week, but you ... read more