Bula Fiji!

 

This is going to be the least detailed blog I’ll ever write.  If it was detailed, it would be so long that no one would read it.  Here’s a brief, and hopefully entertaining, recap of my time in Fiji:

Note: It was pretty epic.

Our room the first night in Fiji. Not a lot of space for us once we got our luggage in.

July 5: Left Wellington. Flight from Wellington delayed. Flight to Fiji delayed.  Had an awesome meal on the plane to Fiji. Arrived in Fiji at 11:30 pm. Was welcomed by a group of singing Fijians. Customs was easy. Took a cab to our hotel. Was creeped out and realized why people say Fiji is “sketchy” to travel to.

Ashley and I goofing around at 1 am because we were happy to be in Fiji

Note: While traveling in Fiji, my friend Ashley and I “island hopped.”  We boarded a large boat at the port, then got on a smaller boat when we arrived in the vicinity of our island resorts.  These smaller boats took us to the island that our resorts were on.  When we departed for our next resort, the small boats took us to the large boat again.  The process repeats itself everytime we switched resorts.  And the best part?  The Fijians took care of our 3 bags/each happily the entire time!  Although I did get tired of explaining that I had been living in New Zealand for 5 months and apologizing for my excess luggage.

Our "bure" at Manta Ray Resort
Bure: Private accommodation with ocean view

July 6: Woke up after 3 hours of sleep.  Didn’t sleep well because Fiji beds don’t have blankets and the fans make you really cold at night.  Arrive at Port Denarau.  Boarded the Yasawa Flyer.  Arrived at our first resort: Manta Ray Resort around 11:30. Welcomed by more singing Fijians and a wonderful drink. Sun tanned/bathed all afternoon.  Went on a sunset boat cruise in the evening.

Sunset boat cruise

July 7: Sun tanned all day long. Ate breakfast. Ate lunch. Drank fresh coconut milk. Ate dinner. Started reading a book.

The beauty of Manta Ray Resort

July 8: Got attacked by bed bugs between the hours of 12 am and 7 am. Departed Manta Ray Resort. Was sang a departing song by some sexy Fijians. Arrived at Korovou Resort. Ate lunch. Ate dinner. Sun tanned. Finished a book.

 

The amazing staff at Manta Ray Resort

Inside our bure at Korovou Resort

July 9: Swam with manta rays.  That’s right—manta rays. Sun tanned all day.  Walked along the entire island and enjoyed the sandy beaches.

Oh hey there, manta ray! You're quite large.

July 10: Ate breakfast. Fed fish. Had a Fijian cooking lesson. Realized I like raw fish. Departed Korovou Resort. Arrived at Coral View Resort. Took a trip to a random island and took lots of awesome pictures. Sat in awe of the clear, blue water on a sandbar. Hiked up the island to watch the sunset. Met an awesome couple who lives in Norway. Ate awesome food.

At our Fijian cooking lesson

 

Sunset from the top of the island at Coral View Resort

Enjoying the island/sand bar

Ashley and I on the island we visited. Just living the dream.

July 11: Consumed my weight in pineapples. Almost died. Realized salt water doesn’t feel good in my eyes. Visited the Sawa-I-Lau Caves. Faced my fears. Went snorkeling in the Blue Lagoon. Saw a snake. Saw a clown fish.

Ash and I in Sawa-I-Lau Cave

 

Snorkeling the the Blue Lagoon

July 12: Got attacked by bed bugs again. Visited a Fijian doctor. Saw a Fijian village. Visited a Fijian school. Was devastated to see the conditions in which Fijians lived. Gained a large appreciation for my lifestyle, bed, food, home, shower, car, clothes a lot more than I ever did. Saw a cultural Fijian dance. Departed Coral View Resort. Arrived at Beachcomber Resort.

Cultural Fijian dance at Coral View Resort

July 13: Met some cool people. Tried to constantly hide my polka-dotted/bug bit body from other people. Went snorkeling. Sun tanned. Fed baby turtles. Walked around Beachcomber Island in 10 minutes. Watched the sunset. Participated in a cultural experience. Ask me about it.

 

Baby sea turtles

Some of the coral during our snorkel at Beachcomber

July 14: Sun tanned. Decreased my suitcase weight. Departed Beachcomber. Said goodbye to Ashley. Sat in an airport for 3 hours before I was able to check in. Waited some more. Flew back to the US. I got to repeat July 14^th because we flew back into time. It was pretty cool.

Beachcomber Island

Needless to say, Fiji was incredible.  I wish I could go into more detail, but this would be way too long of a blog if I did that.  I had an amazing time with an incredible friend.  Fiji forever changed me.  I am in awe of the hospitality, friendliness, and happiness levels that all Fijians possess.  I will always appreciate my home because I was blown away by the conditions in which the Fijians live.  Fiji could be considered a third world country, especially for those who live on the islands that surround the biggest island.  I had a life changing experience, which I plan to blog about more thoroughly in the future.  I highly recommend visiting Fiji.  I loved my time there and it was the perfect transition to leaving New Zealand and coming back to the US.

 

Bula = Hello.

Vinaka = Thank you.

 

Vinaka, Fiji, for an incredible vacation in a beautiful country.