Blogs from Nadi, Fiji, Oceania - page 20

2:30pm - Wow the weather here is baking. It beautiful and yet extreme, you dont quite know weather to sunbathe or curl up in a ball with the aircon on. We've stayed 2 nights now in our room, another 5 nights to go until we head to New Zealand. As yesterday was a sunday most of the day was spent exploring the small area near our hotel (being such a strongly religious country few things are open on a sunday and the bus service cancelled. Sad as it is to say we spent most of the evening sat playing cards (the many games that I am learning) whilst in the bar. The drink is lovely and cheap with foriegn measures which made for a very happy Kelly and Claire. I had the lovely bonus last night ... read more

Bula everyone! After a 26+ hour flight we have finally arrived here in Fiji. The flight itself was pretty good if you think trying to sleep in an area the size of a pea is good. But the movies and food were good so can't complain! Staff were friendly, but "strictly prohibited" the use of toliets by more than one person...what they were talking about we have no idea!! Needless to say, we stayed strapped in our seats! LA was a bit of a nightmare, 2 hours just to get through immigration, by which time the sniffer dog ("canine" in the US) had found Jon's plums...I mean the ones in the bag he was carrying for Fi :) We then got a telling off for throwing them in the bin..oops. Anyway, we arrived in Nadi, greeted ... read more

I've realised that I haven't been as good about keeping my blog up to date as I was hoping to do. Not only is it difficult to find an internet connection that works in the middle of the South Pacific, but lying in a hammock reading or snorkling among the amazing corals is so much more appealing. However, as I finished up my 10 days in the Mamanuca & Yasawa Islands of Fiji, I've come down with a nasty flu (at least I think that's what it is), so I'm stuck in a rather nice backpackers hostel (clean, air conditioned & working email) while I recover. I really didn't fancy doing my trek down the coast when I feel like my head is about to explode, and I cannot literally get up to do more than ... read more

Bula!! Today is Friday and we are due to leave Fiji tomorrow. As a personal reflection, Fiji has really grown on me since we first arrived. Initially I found the contrasts between the expensive resorts and the poorer areas a little alienating. It was certainly quite a culture shock from New Zealand. It was also a shame that we didn’t have the opportunity to visit all the smaller, more picturesque islands. However, we did have a really interesting time during our 3 day, 2 night trip to Mana Island... On Wednesday we assembled on New Town Beach to await our vessel to take us to Mana Island. About an hour and a half later (Fiji time!!) a small rickety speed boat pulled up, and all twenty of us waded through the water, massive rucksacks held up ... read more

As we arrived in Fiji we instantly felt the heat, even though it was in the evening, and were greeted at the airport with a fijian band playing traditional music. Straight away we knew we were gonna love fiji. Our first impressions couldn't be any more true! We have had such a great time here and are glad we decided to come for almost a month instead of just a few days like most people do on there way home. We settled into our hostel and prepared the the exciting day ahead of us. We were of of the postcard-picture-perfect beachs of the Yasawa Islands. Whilst cruising between islands we had awesome fews of islands we couldn't visit but the ones we did were great. The first Island- 'Nanya leilei' was a larger island. We ... read more