LAST day... going home :(

BULA! BULA!

Well, this was our last day.
Started out rainy and 3 out of 4 tummies were unhappy. 

Spent time at in lounge chairs overlooking the ocean and our beach.  Played Triominos one more time (Linda is the reigning champion!)

The girls are starting to pack.  The guys are playing pool volleyball to blow off some steam before boarding the plane.  Meeting the taxi driver (Anoop) at 7:30 pm.

Plane exits FIJI 10:00 pm, Saturday and arrives at LAX 1:20 pm, Saturday (this is a 10hr 20 minute flight.)

Then we go our separate ways... LindaJim to Tahoe and GeorgiCarlos to Walla Walla.  Carlos and I have much better connections going home (no 10 hour layovers!  YIEEE!) We will get to Walla Walla, via Seattle, at 8:50 pm. LindaJim will get to Reno about 9:00ish.

We have had a great time!  Thanks to everyone!
We love you and miss you!
g (c, l & j)

Friday- Shopping VS Pool

Our trip is almost over and we had 2 sunny days in a row.

The girls decided to ride the bus into the town of Nadi and do some last minute souvenir shopping.  BOY! did Linda find some great deals.  We also indulged in going into odd shops and a fabric store.  The fabric store was cool.  Lots of fabric to make sulus (sarongs), curtains, and saris.  Because of the combination of the Fijian culture and the India(n) culture... everything is colorful. 

Saris for sale

The main street in Nadi (even a shop to buy Kava)

Found the best prices on handcrafted items right in Nadi.  I guess we didn't need to drive around the island to find them.

Linda and I got very good at avoiding and ignoring the pushy shop keepers.  "Vinake" (thank you) and keep walking.  Once they shake your hand you are doomed.  (Ask Jim... or see day one of our trip!)

So while we were out the boys were at the pool... playing Frisbee (their poor roughed-up toes), playing volleyball, playing with the little Aussie kids and watching the waves come in and out, in and out, in and out... (You get the idea.)

Got together about 2:00.  Had leftover chicken for lunch. (yummy!)  Hung out at the pool.  Linda and I finally got all the way in.  It was toasty and after yesterday's full day in the sun we were all more thorough when we put on the sunscreen.

Went for our last dinner at the marina at the restaurant INDIGO.  It was a beautiful night and the food good.  (However, this morning everyone but Jim had upset stomachs. YUCK!)

Played Triominos and I finally won not only a hand but the whole game.  I still can't believe it!

It rained really hard during the night.  Tropical weather, got to love it!

See everyone soon! g

Our voyage to Mala Mala Island

Thursday

We packed up our hats, swim attire, towels and snorkeling gear to explore yet another island of Fiji.... Mala Mala.  We also filled a water bottle with the remaining vodka to add our own libations to the juices offered on the island...  Georgi was taking her vitamins and indulged with a huge drink of the NOT WATER (water bottle) to her surprise... she just started early.   I think she really wanted a jump on the day's activities of fun.   LOL  LOL

Before departing we stopped at Cardo's for another fine breakfast.   Such a great place to enjoy the break of day with a blue sky and calm waters right in the bay.... it's going to be a beautiful day!   Fun in the sun!!!

As we boarded the boat, we chose to sit on the top deck for a bit of sun bathing.... not that we weren't going to get enough during the day.....  but none the less we were so excited to see the sun it didn't matter!!!

During our boat ride we saw flying fish... how cool is that.  No photo opportunities to share as they travel way to fast!   It took 40 minutes to arrive at our final destination.

Wow the island is so beautiful from afar, can't wait to start our explorations.   The island is a total of 7 acres of pristine island wilderness set on top of 100 acres of coral reef teaming with exotic marine life below.

As we land we are taken by a smaller boat to the island.  There is more coral on the beach than anticipated and we are glad that we were wearing shoes to get to the white "sandy" beach....  Everyone marked their spots and got ready for the daily activities which included...  snorkeling, lunch, drinking, massages, fishing, hiking (a total time of 10 minutes to get around the whole island), volleyball, and a Kava ceremony.   We suited up for the first snorkeling adventure... we boarded a boat and they took us out past the reef to enter the water.....

The snorkeling was the best to date with many different fish and coral.    What a great experience! 

We enjoyed BBQ lunch, offering fish and chicken with a variety of fruits and vegetables.   Then we took a stroll around the island and then chose to snorkel from the back side of the island to the front area where a capsized boat sat.    It had gotten windy and the waves were a challenge to overcome during this venture.  It was still a beautiful experience. 

Kelly did some basket weaving... how amazing!

It's time to board the boat and get back to the real world in Fiji... and these 6 hours went by soooo fast!  Singing with the crew and enjoying juice and libations we are getting ready for another enjoyable time with our finest of friends.....

Once back to the Marina we headed back to the room for our homemade chicken dinner with oriental spices from the local restaurant, baked potatoes and carrots, everything tastes just a bit different than our pallets are used to.   We ended the night with Pina Coladas and Tri-Ominos and Linda won again... hehehehe.
Thanks for stopping by....L

Wednesday- The Coral Coast

Raining again.... more yuck!
Went on a tour with our taxi driver Anoop.
He took us to the Coral Coast, which is at least 1 hour away.  We went to the:

Saw iguanas, assorted parrots and middle school kids on a field trip.

We ate lunch on the beach.  Carlos took photos of a fruit bat in a coconut tree while we were waiting for our lunch.

Went to a gift shop. 
Also, went to a village that makes its own pottery.  They even sang a welcoming song, showed us how the pottery glaze is made with heated (on fire) stick of eucalyptus that is rubbed on the pottery after it is air dried.  We danced with the village women.  Then we shopped at their individual blankets around the edge of a common village. It was hard to know whom to buy items from... especially knowing how poor they all were.  The bad news is that the village "speaker" who was handling the money transactions seems to have "taken advantage of us."  (His addition didn't equal our addition.) It is always difficult to go to the Fijian villages and see how poor they are...
We were hoping to go snorkeling or swim in a waterfall, but the weather didn't cooperate.  However, it was still a FUN  day!!
Ate dinner at the resort. Played Triominos in the evening.  Linda "kicked butt!"
It is hard to believe that we are almost on the way home!

Tuesday

RAINING... yuck!

It makes it hard to hang out at the pool.
Linda, Carlos & Jim did water aerobics and pool volleyball.  Georgi read her book near the ocean until the rain drove her under cover.

Went to the Marina in the afternoon. Ate at the Fijian restaurant...Carlos had Kokoda (pronounced Ko-kon-da), which is very much like ceviche except in fresh coconut cream; smoked eggplant, a lightly simmered Fijian fern (looked like a green weed), dalo (taro) and cassava (tapioca)...very authentic and absolutely delicious!

Hope everyone is doing well.  We miss you all!
g & c

Diving, Golfing, Drinking and Men in Skirts!

Another day in paradise led Carlos and Georgi to take off on their own for a two tank SCUBA diving day, while Linda and I headed off to test our golfing skills south of the equator.

The golf course was on the ocean and between the runways...the head pro and owner also was our taxi driver to and from the course, and the round included a lunch stop at his wife's restaurant...very tasty.

We proved that a slice still slices, a hook still hooks, and a crappy shot is still a crappy shot, even if you are past the date line and south of the equator...some things are constant!  We did get to see a yellow frog on the course, and some really skinny dogs...no birdies.  After returning to the castle we rejoined C & G for cocktails, and a festive gathering of guests where I got to represent the US in coconut bowling...right down my alley!

I lost the overall match, but did get to wear a sulu (colorful Fijian man-skirt) and let the boys roam free.  After that it was more adult beverages...and we made it through episode 3 (well, at least Carlos and I made it) of the critically acclaimed series, Entourage.  Carlos is up now for his day highlites.

Not much more to relate than what Jim said, but Georgi and I really enjoyed Fiji dives three and four together.

There were so many beautiful fish, it was like being in one gigantic salt-water fish tank.

Sunday

The weather is sunny, finally.  We were going to go to one island, but their boat broke down.  (Was that an omen?)  So we went on another adventure to Captain Cook's Island, which was an hour boat ride.  This is a small private island just for day excursions.  Beautiful white sandy beaches, which we don't have here at the resort.  They also have snorkeling, which we don't have at the resort. 

Linda had a massage.  Jim and Carlos went scuba diving.  They were hoping to see manta rays but were very disappointed when they didn't see much of anything. I sat on the beach and read my book. (ahhhh).  Had a very yummy BBQ lunch.  Beer and wine were free.

After lunch, Jim, Linda and I went snorkeling. (That is the main island in the background.)  Saw amazing purple seastars, and several different kids of fish.  The water was warm and we had lots of fun.  Next time I will take the camera.

Had leftovers at the condo for dinner.  Eating lots of fruit and fresh veges.

What a fabulous day!

Saturday

Went into the town of Nadi, which is about a 20 minute bus ride.  The roads are horrible, so it takes longer than you would think to go anywhere by car or bus.

Went to the Sri Siva Subrahmaniya Swami Temple.  "It is the largest and finest temple in the South Pacific," or so the tour book says.  It was beautiful.  But it was built only 17 years ago.  Started with a small temple with donations from a group in the San Francisco Bay area.

Went back into Nadi to buy postcard stamps, bought postcards, went to the market to by fruit (more pineapple for Georgi), and ate lunch at a tiny Indian restaurant.  (Yummy, but spicy!)  The main street in Nadi is only 2 lanes.  Pedestrians have no rights at all.

Then more pool time. 

Rented a movie for $7.50 at the check in desk.  YIKES!

... thinking of all of you!  g

Friday is SCUBA DAY

Today we went on our first scuba trip.

Linda stayed at the resort because her ears are messed up.  She was going to get a pedicure but it would have cost $90 Fijian ($65 us)  YIKES!  Needless to say, she decide to go for a walk and buy an $11 cup of coffee.  (... and that's better???)  (Linda says she needed her coffee!) 

Went scuba diving.  Took us 1 hour to get to an island that usually takes 35 minutes.  Why the delay?  The huge waves averaging 4-5 feet and swells 10 ft or more.  We had to wear our scuba masks because of the waves breaking into the boat.  (YIPEE!!)  Finally got to the dive sight... after Chief Jim (see earlier blog) soon became "Chief Ralph."  (No, I will not give you the details.  However, eat dinner with the Chief and he will tell you ALL the details guaranteed!)

Once in the water there were tons of fish.  Saw turtles, sand eels, and tons of other fish.  Went down to about 80 feet and the water temperature was about 74 degrees.  Took a short break and did a second dive in the same area (called the FISH MARKET) because the other diving sights were toooo rough.

Got back 1 1/2 hours late and found Linda eating lunch at the resort. 

Ate pizza at the marina (no avocado for Carlos).  Watched some Fijian dancers and watched a movie in our room.  It was a long and amazing day.

We hope that the weather will improve.  At least today we had some sunshine and no rain.
Hope that you are all doing well!  g

Thursday's Adventures

What a fantastic day.   We hired our own driver to take us to explore the island as the Fijian's see it.  

The "hump" in the road coming up.....

  

Our driver "Anoop" getting us sugar cane to taste....

We explored gardens, saw the "sleeping giant".

Fijian Orchid

  

Entrance to the Sleeping Giant Gardens

The Sleeping Giant Mtn Range

We got a tour of Fiji"s believed to be first village. 

Village woman and baby

 
Village woman preparing fish for a meal

The current "Chief's" residence

Village People

We stopped at to by fruit, veggies, fish and meat as the locals do.... quite different than our farmer's markets in the US.   

Fish in the market place!

We are truly having a wonderful experience here in Fiji!!!

Thanks for stopping by!   L

Wacky Wednesday

Still raining and overcast :(  Hasn't stopped us from having fun.

Walked to the marina for breakfast.  2 eggs, hashbrowns (sort of), 2 bacon $17 fiji or $14 US. 

In search of pina colada mix, as drinks were $21 fiji apiece and Carlos's pinas last night were "yucky."  But we still drank them.

Hung out at the pool and hot tub.  Tried to read books while overlooking the ocean... but it was too windy!
Dinner at the golf course club.  It was curry night!  yummy.  The fish and chips weren't very good.  Some kids were catching toads and I (g) had to help! 

Back at the resort we were played Triominos and card game Golf.  Were we also serenaded by a Fijian group that is amazing.  FUN! FUN!  G & L    G was being a science teacher with the kids... in her element for sure!    Too cute!

Trip to the Marina

What a wonderful lunch at Cardo's.  It rained like he**. But, we had so much fun!  We rekindeled our athletic prowess by playing frisbee in the pool.  But Georgi and Linda sat in the hot tub.

Carlos made pina coladas from scratch... bad choice.  Who knew?  rum instead of vodka.

Watched fruit bats fly around the swimming pool.  They are HUGE! very cool! VERY BEAUTIFUL!

J, L, C & G

First Day

The first day went great!

Our room is on the ground floor right next to the largest swimming pool in Fiji.  The beach is just on the other side of the pool.  We even ate breakfast by the pool before we took our naps.

After naptime we took the bus (public transportation) to the town of Nadi, which is about 20 minutes away.  If you have ever watched a Harry Potter movie and remember the "Knight Bus" our bus ride was kind of like that.  Huge potholes to swerve around.  Really big speed bumps... and construction.  At one point the oncoming traffic was in our lane. 

In Nadi we exchanged dollars for Fijian dollars.  We went into a little shop to look at hand carved wooden bowls and other things.  We got invited to a Kava welcoming ceremony.  Kava is a drink made from kava-root powder (pepper plant).  It isn't alcholic but it does numb the tongue and lips.  It tastes like dirt.  Jim is now "the chief."  Linda is "Mrs. Chief."  Carlos is "Assistant Chief."  I'm sure you can figure out my title.  Jim ended up buying a kava bowl and other items.  I don't think we should put Jim in charge of haggling!

Next was grocery shopping.  Food here is expensive and we all were wondering how the locals afford to eat.  The milk is not refrigerated.  There were lamb sausages (which we didn't buy.)  The potato chips were expensive but tasty.  Most everything has to be imported.

We made it!

We made it to Fiji!

For Carlos and me it took about 32 hours from the time we got up to the time we arrived at the resort.  WHEW! 

Jim and Linda showed up to the Los Angeles airport right on schedule. We headed to the international terminal to hang out for an hour before we could check in.  Then we stood in line for another hour trying to get checked in (and we were checking in 5 hours prior to the flight time.)  WE should have gotten the hint at that point that we were going to spend a lot of time standing in lines trying to get to Fiji. 

The 10.5 hour flight was easier then I thought.  It REALLY helped that we left LAX at 11:30 pm.    However, because of the construction at LAX, we taxied around the airport for a really, really long time. ( I wonder if we taxied to Burbank and then took off?)  Sleeping on the airplane was easier and more comfortable than I thought. Got served dinner and breakfast.  Overall, the flight wasn't bad.

Getting off the plane and through customs took almost 2 hours.  YIKES!  Of course, we are all tired and little cranky.  Took a cab to the resort.  The roads are terrible and driving on the left side is a little bit weird, especially when sleep deprived.

To sum it up:  Carlos and I left the Walla Walla house on Saturday, 5:30am.  We arrived at resort Monday, 8:00 am. (We totally missed out on Sunday because of the international dateline :( )