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Published: December 23rd 2005
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Our little island paradise
This is the little island I slept on for a night. Hey friends~
If you ever want to escape, I suggest coming to Fiji...the land is everything one would expect, gorgeous, untouched and absolutely heavenly. But, in my opinion, it is the people who make this country of islands so wonderful and so unique. Fijians are often referred to as "th friendliest people on Earth"...and I can assure you it is the truth!! Everyperson I have encountered is full of smiles, laughter, and zest for life...they are truly amazing.
I am thankful that (with the help of a great traveling program, locally owned and operated) I am able to travel through the islands casually, and fortunately avoiding the "tourist-catered, commercially operated, disney world-esque fake fiji, resorts"on the mainland. My trip is going to be island hopping the mamanuca and yasawa island chains, which are considered some of the most pristine and unaltered islands in Fiji.
After breakfast, at 6:30 am we caught the open-air bus to the port, in order to get aboard "SeaSpray' the sailboat we would be sailing on for the day. I got wind of the Fijian radio station while sitting on the bus, and I knew I was in the islands!
Sailing in the
On Seaspray Boat
Lauren and Rachel and me, heading to the islands Yasawas!
The sailboat trip was awesome! We were entertaind by the fijian crew, fed a fabulous fresh lunch and given unlimited champagne, beer, soda, juice etc... 😊 Once aboard, the clouds came in and it started to drizzel, but we had fun none-the-less... our first stop was a small island village, where we would have a chance to attend a Kava ceremony and see a tour of the village. As we pulled up to the beach, the islanders were brushing their teeth in the ocean, and all the school children came running up to us, yelling "Bula Bula!!". It is traditional for any visitors to the island to attend a kava ceremony, out of respect for the islanders. I was nominated to be "spokewoman" for my 'tribe' and we all collected in a big open air room with straw mats on the ground.
Kava Kava..putting my mind at rest!
The Cheif mixed the Kava, which is made from the bare root of a pepper tree, and then pounded into a fine powder and then mixed with fresh water in a large wooden bowl. He served the most honored guests first, myself included...and we were expected to clap three times
before drinking it in one gulp from our coconut shell cup, then clap after we were done. The kava has a calming effect on the body, quite relaxing. In fact, I have taken kava supplements before, which are sold in the US at healthfood stores, for relaxing or stress deducing (especially nice around finals time). At the end of the ceremony I had been given five bowls...and I was feeling pretty solid. Before leaving the town, I made friends with some of the islanders , one in particular,a guy named Soro. I asked them what is was like to have so many strangers come into their town everyday. I didnt know if we were imposing...but Soro said in half english and half fijian that we were their reason for having a daily routine, and if we bought any of their handmade goods then we were helping fund schools and pay for dental care etc. Also, just by being interested in their culture gives them so much happiness and gratitude.
Snorkeling at Monuriki....Wilson where are you?
After the ceremony we boarded the boat and went to the nearby island of Monuriki. Most of you have seen this island....you just dont
The Crew at Southsea
I loved this ukelele! know it yet. Its the fimling location of the Tom Hanks movie
Cast Away.
The tiny uninhabited island is owned by the islanders I visited at the kava ceremony. Apparently Mr. Hanks even attended a ceremony there as well. We jumped off the boat, and snorked around the reef. I saw so many fish! Even a few of Nemo's friends...and clown fish are only found in the Pacific, so I was elated. I looked all around Monuriki...but no signs of Wilson the volleyball were to be found. I concluded he must have gone for a swim.
We made it back to boat, and spent the rainy ride back to the dock mingling and laughing with other passengers. We made friends with Ryan, a guy from south africa, who now lives in Western Australia. He has a big smile, a huge heart, and is such fun to hang out with! You'll hear more about Ryan and our adventures later on.
South Sea Island...the smallest island with the most fun!
Once off the sailboat we were taken by another boat to SouthSea Island, our place to stay the night. I had heard it was tiny...but I was not prepared
Ashore at the Village
All the little school children rushed up to us yelling Bula Bula...with their little toothbrushes. when I saw a small sandbar with a little hut on it, and found out that was where we were staying!! After checking in, we found out the crew had lost our bags...miscommunication fijian style...but we were on island mode and I think I could still feel effects of the kava so I was not worried. "no worries, right mon?"
We settled in for a hilarious night of games, laughs and late night talks with the 20 people who also were staying there. Tene the typical island woman, large and loud and sweet manndered was our ringleader, teaching us fun games and great songs. The tiny island is without any electricity or power, expcet for a generator. So most of the night we socialised by candlelight. We had people from all over the world, and we all became good friends for the few hours we were together. Rachel and Ryan and I took a 'walk around' the island...it took 3 minutes!
At the shore, we saw blue and turqoise lights sparkling in the water, and we found out they were phospherecence...it was like magic!!
The night was ended by a spontaneous idea that Ryan and Rachel and I
get pillows and spend the whole night in the hammocks under the palm trees. We were like the three musketeers! I fell asleep to the sound of soft rain, waves, and sea breeze, and I woke up to the Fijian drums letting us know Breakfast was served. what a life.
more to come! bula, shelly
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anonymous
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Greetings for 2006
Hi Shelly, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I loved reading your blogs. Are there going to be anymore? Hope so! Are you missing Wellington yet? Take care.