Bula!
Bula means hello or welcome in Fijian and you are greeted with it everywhere you go, with strangers stopping to say bula as you walk past initial impressions of Fiji definitely welcoming. Now that my plans have changed and I'm no longer going to the Philippines, Fiji is my last 'new' country on this trip (I have a few days in NZ and Singapore on my way home). I'm also on my own again for the next 10 days as Katie has returned home. Although I've now been away from home for 7 months I haven't had a great deal of time on my own so I'm hoping to enjoy it before I return home.
After being greeted once again by the live music at the airport, I cleared customs and was met by Isao. He was the driver who would be taking me to my homestay in the Fijian village of Namatakula on the Coral Coast. It turns out he was also my host, as it was his family that I would be staying with. On the way to the village we stopped at the local market to buy food before heading to the village. I was exhausted when we got there as I had been up since 2am to get to the airport in Samoa so I had a siesta before meeting the family later that afternoon. Everyone was very welcoming. I met Simon, Isao's father, as well as his younger brother Boro. I also met his wife Rosa and his children but I can't remember all of their names! Everyone was very friendly and in the 3 days I spent there I got to see first hand how a Fijian family live. I wandered round the village and listened to the church singing on the Sunday morning, went swimming with the children and visited the school on the Monday morning. The children were happy I visited as they got a welcome break from their schoolwork and got up to sing me a song. I've tried to upload the video here but it doesn't seem to work which is a pity :-(
Here are some pics!
(I took this from their website as I didn't have one of the family together)
The village...
Trip to the school.....
After farewells, it was time for me to head back to Nadi where I would head to the marina and try to get on a boat to the famous Fijian islands. I was very excited as I had wanted to Fiji for a long time and it was pictures of the islands that had drawn me to the country to begin with. I had enjoyed my time with the family to get a taste of the real Fiji but it was time to hit the beaches!
I got to the marina and made my way to the desk to try and sort out an itinerary for the next 6 days. I had missed the ferry that would take me up to the further away islands but was able to get on one to get to a closer island later that afternoon then connect a few days later to get to some other islands. All in all I was to visit 3 islands in 6 day, 2 nights on each. First stop was South Sea Island. It was tiny, you could walk the perimeter in about 6 or 7 minutes! It was lovely though. Here are some pics of the island and others I passed on my journey there....
The sea was really amazing colour of blue
Storm in the distance
Next day I left the island to do a day trip on a sail boat round a group of islands called the Mamanucas. During the day we would stop on the island where the Tom Hanks film Castaway was shot as well as visiting an village on one of the other islands. I had been up during the night prior with an upset stomach and was in two minds about whether to go but I had paid for it so thought I'd best go. I'm glad I did, whilst I didn't feel brilliant all day I did get to see the islands and even got to do a wee bit of snorkelling. Not ideal but better than missing out!
Here are some pictures of the trip...
Where Castaway was filmed
The sail boat, Seaspray, which was built in Glasgow
Stop off at the village....
Mangos
Crew entertaining us on the way back
When I got back to South Sea Island I was pretty tired and still felt a bit rubbish so headed to bed for an early night. The next day I was up and about ready for the ferry to take me to my next stop, Nabua Lodge. I felt much better but was a bit nervous about getting on the ferry as it was a 4 hour journey and I was worried about how my stomach would handle it. I was right to be worried, it was a very choppy journey. I don't normally get seasick but having been feeling unwell before getting on the boat the choppiness just sent me over the edge! Ah well, it was all worth it when I arrived at Nabua as it was just gorgeous, a true tropical paradise. I was to spend 2 nights there and I was happy - my own little beach hut (bure) was great as was the view from my front door....
Inside my bure
My view
Chilling on the hammock
My bure
Being welcomed off the boat by the staff
General pics of the resort....
The drum - this gets beaten to advise of meals
Free mangoes left for you to help yourself
Teahouse 5 minutes walk from the resort
Afternoon tea and cake for £1.50
Next morning it was time for a snorkelling trip to the Blue Lagoon, where Brooke Shields had filmed the movie of the same name many years ago. It was stunning and the snorkelling was great. I wish had brought an underwater camera to show you what we saw - definitely a recommendation for anyone doing a trip where there is going to be snorkelling and/or diving. Never mind - here are a few pics that I did get....
It was a lovely few days at Nabua. I read, chilled on the hammock, swam, snorkelled and chatted to fellow guests and felt I was truly on Fiji time!
Next and final island stop was Wayalailai. I got there late afternoon and my room wasn't ready, so I was asked if I wanted to do some jewellery making with the local women. It was fun and I made a small bracelet for Keira. Soon my room was ready and I found I had been upgraded to a luxury beachfront bure - luxury! It was lovely and a perfect way to spend my last few days on the islands.
The next day was Sunday and there were no activities planned as the staff all attended church. It was nice just to go for a walk along the beach and swim.
Some pics of Wayalailai......
The inter island ferry
My luxury bure
I had one night back on the mainland before my morning flight back to NZ and basically the start of my very long journey home. More about that in my next, and final, blog. For now it is time to say farewell to Fiji. It is simply stunning, spectacular, beautiful - I could throw a dozen adjectives at it! The people are also lovely, very warm and welcoming. All that remains to be said is a huge Vinaka (thank you), I hope I will visit again someday.
