Blogs from Fiji, Oceania - page 144

I have to write all of this in retrospect now- time has just flown by and we have been so busy and/or not had internet access that we are way behind now. We left Tanna the day before we were due to fly to Fiji. The flight, despite being short, was pretty cool- mainly because I got to ride in the jump seat. I didn’t even know you could do that in light of new security measures on planes now, but I guess the whole threat of terrorism thing hasn’t reached Vanuatu yet, which makes a refreshing change, even if it is a bit risky. XRay machines to check bags? What are they and will the damage the chicken I am carrying in my hand luggage bag is more apt! Anyway, Dan joined me there mid ... read more

No, never fear i have not gotten married in scotland -i'm talking about the highlands of Viti Levu - the largest island in Fiji. We had decided we wanted to go and stay in a village in the highlands and opted for a homestay e.g. staying with a family in the village, hoping to see a bit more of the traditional fijian way of life. Amazingly enough we arrived on the day of a wedding ceremony! No this was not a faux wedding put on for tourists like the one in Tunisia which was a mock berber style wedding in which Ele was renamed Fatima and married another tourist called Ali ba ba ( for those of you who don't know that story it will have to wait until another time), it was a real wedding ... read more

It's my last day in Fiji. I've been here for 4 days. It all started....well.....a bit pear-shaped really. We got the airport kind of late, and my friend Amy and I couldn't sit together. We were three hours delayed.....but on the upside.....got a free meal. The plane was delayed because of........"LOGISTICS" at first, but then we were told that the plane's fifth engine, the one that gives it power whilst on the ground....wasn't working and needed to be jump started. Everyone was contemplating getting out and pushing. Then....it all started going better. We met lots of nice Fijian people who helped us on the way....and also people at the resort. We were upgraded for free.....hurrah. got air conditioning, and tv with Fiji's only television station and an annoying American Christian one. foods kinda expensive at the ... read more

"Like it? You'll love it!" is actually the advertising slogan for Fiji Gold the local beer but it has become the slogan for our time in Fiji because we love it! Have attached a couple of photo's from our last night in Auckland because part of it was spent at the minus 5 bar - a bar made entirely of ice! For the last 7 days we have been relaxing on Waya Sewa island (also nicknamed Waya Lai Lai) at the Waya Lai Lai eco haven resort - sounds incredibly posh I know -we stayed here for approximately 20 pounds a night including all meals and had a lovely time. The resort is owned by the villagers of the island and all the profits go towards improving the village, particularly the education of the children. We ... read more

Well, it's been a little over a week since we arrived in Fiji. We stayed at the Beachouse for the first 7 nights and are now in Suva which is Fiji's capital, so we finally have access to high speed internet. The Beachouse was amazing. It was filled with experiences that are totally unreal. The feeling of being on the road for such a long trip is indescribable. All I can say is that finally getting here and being surrounded by other travellers is the best thing ever. I expected to feel like a vagabond after I left New York, but it's turned out to be quite the opposite. I felt like more of a vagabond during the month after I quit my job and was crashing on friends' couches all the time while everyone else ... read more