Fiji

Oceania » Australia » Victoria » Melbourne
April 6th 2008

Published: April 6th 2008

Edit Blog Post

Shy

Rainbow over Nadi.

Well I had a wonderful time in Fiji! 10 days was long enough, but I definately could have stayed longer.
Stepping off the plane in Fiji felt like walking into a sauna, and it was 1:30 in the morning. It is unbelievably hot and extremely humid. Trust me, if you saw my hair, you would understand!
I started out with the Feejee Experience bus tour which took four days and travelled around the main island of Vitu Levu. It was a great way to learn about the Fijian culture and see how the Fiji people live. Our first day we enjoyed some swimming, suntanning, sandboarding and crab racing. On our second day we trekked for three hours in 40 degree weather through the rainforest and then were able to cool down by river tubing and waterfall swimming. The third day was a great experience as we visited a village to meet some locals and take part in a Kava ceremony and bracelet making. We also visited a local school and toured through the classrooms to meet the children. They were so adorable and friendly and they loved to have their picture taken! Then we enjoyed some Billi Billi rafting and swimming.

First beach stop.

Our last day was quite relaxing as we enjoyed mud pools and hot pools-a great spa treatment for free! I enjoyed the tour very much, but was excited to check out a few of the 360 islands that Fiji has to offer.
I went on a 5 day/4 night tour with some friends I met on the Feejee Experience-Emily, Simon and Becky from England. Our first 2 days were spent on South Sea Island; a beautiful little island about 400 metres round. It was unfortunate that it rained the 2 days we were there, but that was it; it was sunny and hot for the rest of our time in Fiji. After leaving South Sea Island, we boarded the Wanna Taki cruise boat. Now when I say cruise boat, don't think of your normal, touristy, 7-course meal, bowling alley cruise boat. This cruise boat had 2 levels. Top level was the kitchen/bar/dining area/sun deck and the bottom level was the lounge and tv area filled with about 15 bunk beds; basically a hostel on a boat. But it was loads of fun and the crew was great. We stayed around Manta Ray Island and enjoyed suntanning and swimming and the

Sandboarding.

snorkelling was amazing. I loved my time in Fiji and it was nice to have three great new friends to share it with. I only wish they could travel Australia with me as well.
Now I am back in Australia and back to reality. Well, if you can call it reality since I'm not working, doing whatever I want, and experiencing a whole different country. I flew into Sydney on April 2nd and the next day, caught a bus to Melbourne which is where I am now. It was an 11 hour bus ride. Not fun, but I took the night bus so I could sleep most of the way and save a nights accomodation. Melbourne is quite the city. I'm glad I have almost a week here because there is so much to do and see and so many places to shop! I've already spent a full day at the outlet mall and a full day at the Queen Victoria Market. Spending 7 hours in an outlet mall is not smart when you're living out of a backpack; oh well, I can make room. And the Market is amazing! You can buy anything and everything there. It's definately the

Sunset at Mango Bay Resort.

place to go for a good price on Uggs! I might just have to buy a cute little pair for Mateo.
On the 10th I take another night bus to Adelaide and from there I take a 2 day/1 night outback tour to Alice Springs and then a 3 day tour to Uluru(the rock), Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta. I'm looking forward to the beautiful views and the hot, desert weather. It's cooler here in Melbourne, around 15-20 degrees. After all that, I fly into Sydney for the 3rd time on the 19th and will finally start my journey up the East coast. That is, if I have any money left! I should be okay as long as I stay away from the outlet mall. Oh boy Tara, you would sure love this outlet mall!

Additional photos below

Photos: 22, Displayed: 22