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Published: December 14th 2006
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The Yasawa Islands are set off the north west coast of the main Island Vita Levu. Our first stop was Tavewa Island and the Coral View resort. We were the last stop for the big yellow Catamaran, the “Yasawa Flyer.” It was a 5 hour transfer from the port a little longer than the hour and a half I‘d thought and told Jo…never mind! So feeling a bit tired, it was great to get another warm welcome. As we approached in our transfer boat we were greeted by the staff singing the “bula” welcome song from the beach. The Island had a high ridge leading to a grassy peak overlooking the resort from which the land slipped away to a palm tree covered shoreline.
Perfect. Well that was until………As everyone rushed to get checked in we thought “what’s the hurry,” there’s plenty of room for everyone……. BIG mistake!! We were led towards the beachside bures of our dreams and promptly led about turn 90 degrees to a disheveled green shack in the middle of a building site. It even had it’s very own SPECIAL ventilation system (holes in the walls). It also had a large pile of building sand blocking
the front door, and the view to die for, well it was if you could get a look other than that of a builders arse crack pushing a wheelbarrow full of sand he had just collected from our front door. After politely conveying a slight disappointment in our accommodation expectations we were assured a move to a beachside bure would follow in the morning : ) With that all sorted, it was time to enjoy ourselves, and for Jo, a long awaited moment!! As she dusted off her snorkel & mask she had been carrying in her bag for the past 3 months a big smile came across her face and I nearly wet myself!! I had been ribbing her quite a bit about carrying unnecessary items (raised eyebrows!) so whenever she unpacked her bag, which was invariably every day, she would pull out the snorkel & Mask!! Not funny you say, well it was when she pulled it out in the Rockies and it was snowing outside or in some other remote location a few thousand miles from the sea. Anyway! back in Fiji we went snorkeling. The sea was as warm as a bath, the water just as
clear. There was a small man-made reef a few meters off the beach and all the way along it there were lots of colourful fish swimming in between the rocks. It was like a whose who of the film “Finding Nemo” and a BLUE starfish…... Yes BLUE!! After a nice warm swim it was time for our first encounter with an open air cold, sea water shower. An experience you can imagine any girl just loves!!
Later on that evening we were peacefully sat in a hammock listening to one of the staff, Steven playing his miniature guitar (not sure what they‘re called!). When he stood up to leave we playfully said “oh no, don’t go, play some more” at which point he sat back down to start playing again. We said that we were only joking and if he needed to go then he should. He said that there was only a few minutes left for the staff to get their dinner. After he had gone (we had insisted it was alright for him to go!), we were a bit gob smacked, as if we hadn’t insisted he would have sacrificed his tea to stay and play…….. Compare
this to anything you’ve experienced back home??!! This really sums up how well the majority of the Fijian resort staff treat you. Nothing is too much trouble and all that they ask is that you enjoy yourself and smile, oh and maybe sing and dance a little too!! That same evening we had a lovely BBQ fish dinner. This was followed by a dance comp and a game of musical statues!! Old school entertainment. But still enjoyable when you’ve had a few ; )
After such an energetic evening the only way to start the day was to have a bowl of skippies (Aussie cornflakes!) and with a full belly it was time for a mini adventure. Dark water cave swimming isn’t something you get a chance to do everyday, so when the opportunity came up we jumped at it. In hindsight, this was quite an experience and I was really proud of how Jo accomplished something that wasn’t really…as you say “high on her list of things to do!!” The point that comes to mind that Jo really did herself proud was when we were in the first cave submerged up to our necks in water and were
told that we had to hold our breath and dive for a short distance into the next cave, which was pitch black and did he say underwater! Even I was a little unnerved when after coming out the other side the first thing you saw were lots of faces staring back at you bobbing up and down in the water, all looking a little too desperate treading water for you to feel comfortable!! It did get a bit easier after that!
When we got back to the resort we sat in a hammock for the rest of the afternoon to recuperate from the mornings exercise/trauma!! One of the best things about Coral View was that at 4pm every day, a drum would signal afternoon tea. This was served up with a generous helping of chocolate cake. This became a welcome introduction into our hectic daily schedule ; ), it also reminded us of home. At some point during the day we met, for the first time Bex & Rob (from Australia) and Ashley & Brent (Brent is Australian and about to emigrate to Ashley’s home town in the States). We would share some good times chatting with these guys
most meal times and around the resorts over the next few days.
That evening we decided to take a walk up the hill over looking the resort to watch the sunset. It was a pretty steep climb at times, but we managed OK and arrived at the peak just in time to see the purples and oranges of a wonderful sunset helped by a cover of wispy low laying cloud. We estimated that we would take about 20-30 minutes max. to get back down before it got dark. And as our other fellow sunset watchers marched off in front, soon to be lost from sight, the shadows got longer (a wrong turn across a ridge leading to the other side of the island didn’t help!). It was dark by the time we made it back and we were somewhat relieved to eventually make it back with nothing less than a dirty bottom and a sweet on!! (come on…we slipped on the way down it was dark).
After dinner that evening the resort staff told us they were holding a cross dressing party…… (They seemed quite excited about this!!) We made our excuses and left fairly sharpish!! On our
way back to our newly located bure on the beach we bumped into Louise & Martin who we had met earlier watching the sunset and who had also, it appeared, made their escape from the cross dressing extravaganza!! We had a good chat for a couple of hours and it was nice to talk to people who were obviously very aware the issues which were affecting Fiji (None so more than the recent Military Coup which was in the pipeline when we were there). On another note, before we departed company for the night Martin spotted the southern cross star constellation, which brought a nice end to the evening and our stay on Tavewa.
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