Blogs from Nadi, Viti Levu, Fiji, Oceania - page 9

It seems Fiji doesn't like us, for today we are both a bit under the weather. Louisa is feeling ill today after being sick during the night, her stomach has taken the most damage, but as always the staff at the hostel are more than willing to help and offer to massage her stomach which gave some relief for a short while. I've sustained multiple (44 at last count) mozzie bites around both ankles and they are rather swollen, all from one evening without using the insect repellent. It's yet another very hot and humid day, and the local store is shut on Sunday so no cheap Fiji beer for me today, and I need one, so I buy an expensive one from the hostel. It is excellent beer btw. We need to get off the ... read more

Our next stop after the Gardens was the Viseisei Village, which is where the first Fijian people landed and established themselves. Our tour guide around the village was Eleanor, and even though our adventures have only just started it is going to take something special to top Eleanor's tour. Eleanor and 500 other Fijians still live in the original community on around 35 acres. Eleanor was very friendly and explained that her ancestors were thought to have come from South Africa. When they landed her people split up, some staying on the coast, and others making for the highlands. Her community is split into three distinct tribes; carpenter, fisherman and warrior tribes. Before we could progress on the tour we were taken to a small market of about 8 stalls, which was run by ladies of ... read more

From the village Rajendra took us to Lautoko City, and on the way he gave us some background on the history and culture of Fiji. A man by the name of Thomas Baker was the first missionary to Fiji, and he brought with him his Methodist faith. He proved to be a very kind and friendly man who was popular with the natives. Some of the locals however, believed that if they killed Thomas and ate his brain they would become as smart as him. So they did indeed kill him. Eleanor had spoken to us about cannibalism, and showed us the tools they used to kill people, and how they extracted the brain and eyeballs for consumption. I thought Eleanor had said that they don't do this anymore except for at barbeques, but I was ... read more

Bula! We are in Fiji. We got here yesterday after a (relatively) short flight from Auckland. When we arrived there was a band playing music and we got strings of beads made from shells. All very tropical. We are staying at the Beach Side Resort, which is nice, and we have our own little bure (cottage). We have been taking it easy as Tim is still recovering and we need a rest before the next leg of our adventure! It is very hot and humid here although it has rained pretty much non-stop! Lets hope it brightens up a bit tomorrow when we start our trip around Vitu Levu (main island).... read more

Hey everyone!!! How are you all?? Well we have been in Fiji for a week, its amazing!! The flight from LA was long and tedious (for Natalie, as I slept through most of it) and wasnt without its upset from one Red Affro-headed American Woman with a rediculously over-surgically enchanced face!!! She basically informed both me and Natalie that due to our cough, that we had caught, we were indangering the health and safety of all the passengers and although we're 'young and beautiful' we "should wear a mask" - obviously me and Natalie were in stitches of laughter at her instruction and she firmly insisted "No, you wear masks because now i need anti-biotics and will not enjoy my holiday" - she was amazing!! After this 11 hour flight and not much patience i told ... read more