Blogs from Mamanuca Islands, Fiji, Oceania - page 3

The last few days I’ve been hopping around to different islands, some good, some not so good. From Mantaray, I went to the island of Waya to the Octopus resort. I’d planned to stay at Octopus for 4 nights and was really looking forward to it. I’d only heard good things about the resort, that it was really nice. My guidebook had it for the top pick in the Yasawas. Unfortunately though, I only ended up staying one night . . . The resort was nice. Very nice. It’s not a backpackers resort at all. It gears to families, middle-aged couples. They just happen to also have a dorm for budget travelers like me to stay in to enjoy the resort. I first realized that I was not the market they were catering to when I ... read more

We departed from Sudima airport hotel in Christchurch at 5.15 am to catch our flight to Auckland, to then fly on to Fiji. We landed by 8am and just had a few hours to kill before the second flight to Fiji. The second flight was a bit bumpy with a bit of a skid on the land, but it was fine and as we walked out of the arm of the plane and into the airport we felt the warmth and humidity again - it was lovely! I had booked the first night’s accommodation, so knew what we had to do at the airport to get our transfer. Matt followed me as I walked up to the desk (it’s usually Matt that does all this organising, so the roles were reversed!). I was greeted with “Bula” ... read more

8:15 am Eastern time and we’re awaiting the last flight of our long trip—Philly to Raleigh. The last couple of days on Matamanoa Island continued to be relaxing and fun. On Friday, Ken went out for another dive late in the morning. I opted to get a facial, which was done by a woman named Kara in my room. She cleaned, exfoliated, oiled, and moisturized my face. I haven’t had many facials in my lifetime, but this one made me think I need to get them more often. With the sound of the waves, the breeze in the coconut trees, and the sweet smell of her natural face products, I was in heaven. And then she gave me a jar of papaya moisturizer to take home. I took the opportunity to ask Kara some questions while ... read more

(Day 726 on the road)Ah - Feejee... 333 sun-drenched islands, two-thirds of them uninhabited. World-famous honeymoon destination. Reliable tropical climate. Main South Pacific tourism destination with 500.000 annual tourists. British colony until 1970. Located over 2000 km away from New Zealand or Australia. 850.000 inhabitants, 57% ethnic Fijians, 37% Fiji-Indians, 6% other. But also: Half the population living below the poverty line. Regular political coups (four since 1987, latest one 2006). Unstable political climate, resulting in profits not being reinvested in the country. Over-dependence on the sugar industry, with sugar prices at all times low. Racial tensions - Fijians from Indian origin ("Fiji-Indians") are forbidden by law to call themselves Fijians, or buy freehold land. Rapid depletion of fish stocks due to illegal longline fishing. Wide-spread domestic violence. ... read more

Right so this about the 10th time I've tried to write this god damn blog, I think it’s official that I am the world’s worst blogger ever!!! After going on about it for ages before leaving I have failed to keep you updated so I’m going to do my best to fill you in and make more effort in future! I've had to borrow a laptop off one of my new pals so I didn't have to waste valuable internet time typing coz this is gona be a long one!!! As I mentioned in my last blog there was v little internet access on the islands in Fiji, which it would appear can't spell?! (thanks Caspar/Laura!) Not sure what thats about but I looked back through my journal and realised I've been spelling in FIGI instead ... read more