Blogs from Yasawa Islands, Fiji, Oceania

Hello Fiji! Die Wetterprognosen stehen auf Regen, Regen, Regen und wir sind dennoch guter Dinge, denn die Unterkunft auf den Yawas Inseln schaut ganz toll aus. Der Flug ist sehr ruhig und die Crew der Hammer – so lustig, fröhlich und gut gelaunt – oh yeah! Der entspannte Bier und Weinnachschub sorgt für gehobene Stimmung und wir lachen viel. Zum Abschied busseln wir die Chefstewardess und fühlen uns herzlich willkommen untermalt durch die Willkommensmusik! Alles verläuft gut bei der Sicherheitskontrolle und trotz Regen, denn es ist sehr warm und der nette, familienbewusster Taxler bringt uns gut zu unserem Hotel, nach einem kurzen Abstecher beim Supermarkt zur Aufrüstung unserer Getränke. Das Hotel ist einfach und nett und das Abendessen in Ordnung – perfekt für eine Übernachtung zur Weiterreise. Zeitig geht es bereits los, denn der Shuttle zum ... read more

Today was our final day of the trip. Leaving on this adventure both seemed like so long ago and just yesterday. I was glad to be headed home at least. I got really good sleep, and the sickness had slowed down quite a bit. I had put on a scopalamine patch the night before to help with the seasickness later. It made my mouth dry. I also just felt really stoned in general. I wasn't sure if that was the patch or dehydration, or both. Then we heard the drums for the mantarays. Chris didn't feel like going again today but he saw I was better and badgered me into going. As a nurse, I'd never tell my patients to do something stupid like that. But that's the same with backpacking only three weeks after surgery, ... read more

I woke up for our last day on Coralview. We'd be here for the morning but after lunch our boat would be shuttling us to the next resort. I only had a 2.5hr ride this time so I was hopeful the seasickness wouldn't destroy me again. Breakfast was the usual fare of coffee, fruit, an "onion" pancake thing, and bread that was similar, but not, cornbread. Sometimes a crepe instead. We had wanted to do one last snorkeling trip but it turned out the water was choppier today. Not good for snorkeling we were told. We had another surprise awaiting us, though. Last night, the resort employees had come across a sea turtle. So they saved him for us to examine (gently) and then release back into the water. It turns out Coralview participates in turtle ... read more

There were two reasons I wanted to go all the way out to Coralview for our beautiful island adventures. One, was the snorkeling with sharks (which we did the day before). The second, more important reason, were the Sawa-I-Lau Caves. Only the resorts (three or so) this far out did tours of the caves. Mostly because of proximity. They're these gorgeous limestone sea caves owned by the locals. That morning after breakfast we headed out to the caves in a motor boat. I really enjoyed the small boat travels- they didn't make me sick at all. We loved flying over the water, our whole group would laugh and yell when we'd hit a rough spot and bounce in our seats. Toki, our main guide, and his helper thought this was odd but funny. I think it's ... read more

The seven hour flight out of Ecuador and South America led me to a quick layover in El Salvador where I would board another plane for the six hour flight to LAX. I was back in America. I am always a little nervous when crossing borders and going through immigration, but in the USA I have no such fears. What, they are not going to let me in my own country? The border agent thoroughly questioned me about my six months in South America and about what I was doing there to which I replied “as little as possible”. Next up was what do I do for work, to which I replied “working is for suckers.” He did not like this and I then found myself into secondary screening where my bag was ripped apart searching ... read more