Fiji Islands, Fiji Time!

Bula!

As I stated in the last post, this is the next trip I made during holidays. This time we were 3 people: Enrique (Spain), Rafael (Spain), and me Ricardo (Mexico). As you can see, these are three very Spanish names difficult to pronounce in English because of the 'r'. Though in Fiji we found no difficulties. Anyway, the decision about going to this trip is indeed one of the fastest I have ever taken (Nelson Bay took minutes, and Real de Catorce about an hour to decide). The problem of this was that I had a presentation on Friday 20th of April and couldn't miss it. So, at the end I traveled for 6 days.

Day 1



Once we arrived in Sydney from the trip to Tasmania, Quique and I grabbed our backpacks and started to take some weight out from them. Min Ji, Koldo and Asun took our things back to Gumal (thank you very much!). Then we said goodbye and the two of us left to the International Terminal (T1). We had to wait 5 hours before taking the next flight, so we went to a Starbucks and had some coffee. We also went to take some money out, change currencies, unlock the roaming, and then we took the flight. The plane was a Boeing 747 and was packed. I slept almost the entire flight. It took about 3:45hrs to get to Nadi (Viti Levu Island). When we arrived in Fiji, we tried to call Rafael but there was no answer. After the queue at Immigration, we saw some Fijians dancing, singing and saying 'Bula' which means hello and welcome. Rafael was there and updated us with all the activities that he had found while he waited for us in the airport. Then we took a cab and headed to a resort (read backpackers). It was dark so we couldn't see much in the way. However, the air was humid and we were in the middle of a jungle. We had dinner at the resort restaurant and got bitten by many mosquitoes. The three of us were really tired and decided to go to sleep.

Day 2



On the next day we woke up a bit late because we forgot to change the time to our mobiles (it is 2 hours more than Australia). So, we tried to be ready as soon as possible and went downstairs to the travel agency to choose a tour. The boat was leaving at 12pm and it was already 11:30am. We took a cab and arrived in Denerau (the pier where the boats depart to the west islands. The first group of islands we stopped in is called Mamanuca. This islands are small and flat, and are the most touristic ones.





We stopped in Bounty Island and Resort which was very small but nice. On this day we booked all the resorts for the next few days. After this, we walked along the coast until we found the place where "Love Celebrity Island" was filmed. Then we came back and decided to go sailing. We took it and someone had to explain to us how to use it. The best part is that we tried but failed and crashed against some wood sticks that were next to the pontoon. We gave up and some people that were watching us laughed at us because we couldn't go sailing. Then we took some kayaks and rowed for less than an hour. Suddenly we saw that the place was perfect for snorkeling and Quique took his underwater camera and then took some pictures of the surrounded sea life. We spotted corals, starfish, purple jellyfish, and many coral fish. At night there were some activities but most of the people there were adults or old people. So we were talking and then a Costa Rican girl joined us, as well as a Fijian who is the landlord of three islands. When we realised, it was already 2:40am and then went to bed.





Day 3




We woke up early and had breakfast (what the fat adult people left). Then our boat was ready to take us to the next destination. This time we went to farthest north island we could in the Yasawa group, which was called Tavewa Island. It was a 5 hour tripto the resort. The Coral View Resort was just in front of a mountain and, as the name states, you could see corals. This resort was not that good. As soon as we arrived we had lunch but I don't know why they asked if there was any vegetarian because all we had had no meat. Anyway, after looking at our room and seeing the showers we were not that excited. Over the beds you could find a net to prevent insects from coming close to you while you were asleep. The showers had moisture on the walls and floor. However, we found other showers that were better.



We went walking along the beach as usual. It was a really nice walk. So nice that we saw carnivorous plants, a black-and-white stripped snake, a big spider and some crabs. After crossing the rocks we continued and reached some bigger rocks where the waves were crashing. I reckon that this part was the best of the walk. We headed back to the resort but this time the tide had rose. We had to walk in the water which made it a bit difficult because there were so many rocks underneath. While Rafa and I went to get some kayaks, Quique tried to walk on the first rocks with high tide. There was a little boy that was in charge of the kayak renting. He took us to his house so we could talk to his parents about the possibility to leave the kayaks at the resort. We walked into the jungle, crossed a bridge, and reached his house. Believe me, it was like a National Geographic or Discovery Channel documentary. There were fish hanging from the roof, chickens, hens, a rooster and many other animals. After about 5 minutes his mother came and we couldn't convince her, so we left. We saw Quique with some difficulties from far away and then he was rescued by a man on a boat. We screamed so he could come to pick us up but nothing happened. We sat down to think on what to do next, until we found some nice Fijian people that helped us and showed us the way back to the resort. The directions were the following: "After the last palm tree, turn left", and we followed her instructions. We turned left and saw the "path". We walked through it and reached the resort. Quique was there and told us that the man on the boat didn't want to help us, and that in exchange of the ride he had to help this guy taking a 45kg eskie.



In the afternoon we went to the hammocks and lied down for a bit (just before the mosquitoes ate us alive). At night there was a typical "Crab Race". The three of us bet for the Mexican and Spanish crabs. Of course, we won! We got second and third places respectively. The prices were two beers in total. After the exhausting game, we danced for the rain with Fijian people. Then, we talked for a bit until everyone was gone, and went to bed.



Day 4





We woke up early as usual. After having a quick breakfast we joined a trip to some caves. As we were late, we were taken by a boat taxi to this place. The trip was really nice because the scenery was excellent! Once we arrived to the caves, we walked up and then down a staircase. Once we were inside the cave we jumped in and fell into the water. This place was incredible! it was really high and steep. The guides took us to the next cave which was just next to it. In order to enter the second one, we had to dive for a few seconds and follow a torch light. On the other side it was really dark. The only thing you could see was the turquoise lighted water. Then we swam for a bit and went back to the lighted cave. Some people jumped into the water from the high cliffs of the cave. Then we went back to the resort and found that there was a really low tide. Corals were visible and above the sea level. We took some pictures and waited for a bit until it was time to leave. This time the rain dance didn't help.



As we approached the Naviti Island we crossed some big storms. Once we arrived to the Boteira Resort, the staff was singing and waiting for the new people. They received us with lays and a glass of natural juice. This resort was way better than the last one, and there were some nice looking girls too! The three of us went up the hill to pick some mobile signal and call our parents. The view from there was amazing. However, the way back was so difficult because of some slippery rocks. After a while Rafa and I took a double-kayak and went to a beach. Then we came back and arrived just in time for playing some beach volleyball. We lost but not by much, maybe 2 points or so. We also went swimming to a pontoon and made some dives from there. Anyway, at night we had dinner and played some cards with our new roomies. They left early and we stayed a bit longer.



Day 5



The weather on the next day was really bad. When we woke up we saw that it was raining very heavy. We went to have breakfast and decided not to go diving. Nevertheless we hired some snorkel equipment (fins and a mask) and went snorkeling just in front of the resort. Sea life in there was awesome. We saw some clown fish, sea stars, corals, anemones, calamari, and many more. We took some pictures and swam for a bit. When we went out of the sea it was not raining anymore. We went back to take a shower and then after lunch I took a nap. Later on they told us that our boat was leaving pretty soon, so we got ready and packed our things up. We got in the small boat that took us to the main one. We had some snacks because we were still hungry. After leaving the Yasawa group of islands we headed south towards Beachcomber Island and Resort. We unpacked our things in a 154 people dorm! It was huge! We went for a walk but found that there was so much sea weed that we couldn't continue with it. Instead, we laid down the beach and stayed for a while. At night the theme was "Mexican". There was nothing Mexican, I can tell you! However, we moved to a table close to the dance floor. The good thing about this island was that there were just young people. We played some games and danced for a bit. At around 2:30am we went to bed.



Day 6



I woke up a bit late and then took a shower. This resort had hot showers at last!!! I went to buy some souvenirs at the store. I booked the boat for Nadi and went to pack up my backpack. I told Quique and Rafa that I was going to leave my things near the reception and when I went to the reception they told me that my boat was leaving! I couldn't say bye to them and I hurried up and took the boat.



Once I arrived in Nadi I saw a restaurant where I could have lunch. The special of the day was lobster and then I asked for it (grilled with salad and mashed potato). It took ages to the people to prepare it and my flight was leaving in less than 1.5 hours. However, the lobster was soooo goooood! I took a cab after lunch and told the taxi driver to rush to the airport. I arrived in the airport about an hour and a few minutes before the flight departed, but luckily I had no problems at the check-in. I bought some other souvenirs and then waited to leave. I took the flight which was for about 4:20hrs. Then I arrived in Sydney once again. This is the entire story of this fast but incredible trip I had. My other two friends stayed for about 5 or 7 days longer. Vinaka!




PS. I am still waiting for the underwater pictures that I will post later.
Update: Mission accomplished!