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Published: July 15th 2005
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Cruisin'
Me at the end of Lycianda ...Or at least the part I saw was. So many people who have been to Fiji say they dislike it for the dirtyness or the overcrowding. Keeping in mind that those people also only see places like Nadi and Beachcomber Island. We took a trip through the gorgeous Yasawa Islands on Blue Lagoon Cruises. Tourism is a major part of the local economy, but where we were, there was very little evidence of tourism (apart from us of course) The Islands were clean and lush. Everything was relaxed and we had a lot of time to our selves. The best part about the cruise was we only delt with the Fijian people, not the Indians who control most of the financial side of things, ruthlessly.
This trip was my first International travelling experience. I went with my mate Chris and his Mother Anne. We arrived in Nadi 25/06/1996 and checked into our hotel for the night. Everyone was so friendly and were greeted with "Bula!" making things different for me already.
The next day, we headed out to Lautoka where we boarded what would become home for the next 4 days, The Lycianda. We set sail for the Yasawa
Traditional hut
We weren't allowed in there Islands. We had a nice "captain's welcome" dinner, then the crew played some traditional Fijian songs. Chris and I are night owls so we stayed up for a while. We noticed that the crew stays up until very early in the morning drinking Kava (I'll get to the Kava later), then they get up around 5am to get the days activities and meals prepared. It was crazy.
The next day we were swimming around this beautiful terquoise lagoon. After we then cruised to a traditional Fijian village. We were welcomed ashore by the "Yaqona" ceremony that involved all the guests drinking Kava. Kava is a narcotic beverage made from the roots of a dioecious shrub, which to a couple of teenagers, sounds really good. I can assure you that it's taste is revolting (or acquired taste maybe?) either way for a first timer.. Kava tasted like dirty dish water (or at least what I think dirty dish water would taste like) After the ceremony, there was a shell market laid out on the ground for us to peruse.
That night we kicked back with the entertainment provided by the crew on the boat. Chris and I spent quite
Me drinking Kava
Just after this photo was taken, my face turned into disgust a bit of time playing checkers, so much, in fact, that some of the crew wanted to get in on the fun and challenged us to a few games. I can't really remember who won, all I know is that we had a great time. The Fijian people are so nice. There is a saying that everything happens in "Fijian Time" And how true that is. Not to say that they are lazy, just very realxed and laid back.
There was a woman on our cruise who Anne got talking to. It turns out that she is the mother of Andreas Kisser, famed guitarist for the band Sepultura. That was a big thrill for Chris and I who are big fans of the band.
The day after we cruised to Nanuya Lai Lai a very beautiful and private island. We took in some snorkelling and volleyball. An impromptu game of sevens rugby broke out amongst the crew. I asked if I could play (I played rugby union at the time, so I thought I could give them a run for thier money) I did kinda forget that when it comes to rugby sevens, Fiji is simply the best
The local tribal girls
About to set up the shell market in the world. So needless to say I struggled. That night they prepared a traditional island magiti (feast) in an earth oven called an Iovo. The process involved everyone to pitch in and dig a big hole in the ground. They then laid rocks on the bottom and lit a fire on top of them. When the rocks were red hot, they took the unburnt bits of wood off and laid all the food wrapped in foil and banana leaves on top of the rocks then covered it over with dirt. After a hour or two, the uncovered the beautifully cooked fish and other delectables. It was the best meal we had on the whole cruise.
Chris and I had a fascination of collecting coconuts. We ventured around the local beach building up a nice big collection of them. We didn't really know what to do with them once we had a pile but it provided a good photo op.
The following day we headed back to Lautoka. The crewed played a beautiful fijian song called Isa Lei as part of our farewell activities.
We returned to our hotel in Nadi and flew back home the following
Lycianda at sunset
The sunset is just as good every night day. I don't think I'll go back to Fiji, not because I thought it was bad, but because from what I have heard, it seems I have seen the best part of the country. I wouldn't want to ruin the fond memories I have of that country with seeing the bad part of dirtyness, overcrowding and Indians treating the Fijians like slaves.
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Screw you
non-member comment
Fuck off
How in the hell can your white ass say that the Indo Fijians treat the Fijians like slaves. When it’s the Indo Fijians that don't have the same rights as the Fijian's do. You just came to visit, you have not lived here nor have you seen what has happen here in the Islands of Fiji. Did you ever think that they are nice to you, because you went to the places where all the tourist goes? Come and see how things are done in the villages and then write your stupid comments. I bet my life that you wouldn’t last one hour. Then you’ll know how nice they are. I am not racist! I have family on both sides. You should see both sides of the views or actually go to places where tourists don’t go, if you are going to make such strong comments on the internet.