Monday 3 September 2012

Fiji...

Arriving into Nadi, we felt excitement and the instant feeling of relaxtion, as the group of musicians welcomed us within the airport to the sound of rhythms and beats and a final shout of 'Bula'! This is the traditional saying for 'hello, welcome, good day, bless you', so everybody says it to everybody no matter what time of day or to whom you may say it to.

Fiji ingnited a warmth in my heart from my first day, everybody is so friendly and made us feel so welcome. We opted to spend our first couple of days in Bamboo Hostel in Nadi resting, relaxing and making plans on where to go from Nadi. Walking into the local town, we would pass strangers on the street, everybody smiles and bula floats through the air. I felt so at ease and happy without even beginning to set off on an adventure.

After our much needed resting days, we decided we would head on a path less travelled, it is one where not so many tourists or travellers venture, a sort of 'off the beaten track', something which I most enjoy. The adventure we opted to embark upon is something known as the 'North Combo', it is ran through the people at Bamboo, in which we would travel upto the North Islands of Fiji, first to Tavenui (the Garden Island), Quemea and then Nanuku.

Heading for the capital of Suva, we where greeted with a bustling city, full of people, hustle and noise. We loaded ourselves onto our local ferry, a huge local ferry boat loading up for the next 18 hour journey. We settled in to our place for the journey, between two tables on the floor on the 1st deck. I was praying the water wouldn't be too choppy, as a combination of boats and the choppy waters thrusts me into sea sickness. Thankfully, as we glided out of the port at dusk, the water was calm and the whole 18 hour journey was not so bad at all.

Arriving to Tavenui was majestic, it is true what they say, it is the 'Garden Island'. The lush green leafs you can view from miles away and the air is so fresh. We headed to the guesthouse and spent the remainder of our day taking in the calming sights. Over the next few days we ventured out on a snorkelling trip to 'Honeymoon Island', admiring fresh coral, exotic fish and some beautiful sights of the marine life in Fiji. One of my favourite parts of the my Fiji adventure was to Booma Waterfalls. It was a hike up the mountain, which wasn't the easiest in my flip fllops, but so worth it when we reached the top. Our first waterfall of the day, we each climbed the rocks and threw ourselves in to the deep plunging waterpool. As we worked our way back down, we graced another falls and then saved the best until last. The magnificient waterfall at the bottom is sheer beauty. The water crashed heavily of he mountain top, I stand and admire for 2 minutes before running into the crisp, fresh and ice cold water. Fijian water is sought after from all over the world, this water was so fresh we all filled up our water bottles at least four times! With this one being so big, there was no chance of jumping, but with our local friends Adam and Rafa, we swam behind the falls into a small cave, the view here was just phenomenal. From here, you can admire the full beauty and build up the courage to run out of the cave and straight into the crashing water from behind....exhilarating.

After a couple days at Tavenui, we caught our fisherman's boat over to Qamea. There are no roads on this island only accesible by boat. The welcome was typical Fijian style, lots of smiles and lots of music and songs, I loved it. We had our own beach hut on the beach, spending our days relaxing and enjoying the company of everybody at Maqai. After a few days, the plan was to spend one night on an island called Nanuku. This is so difficult to describe, its the closest thing I could only imagine to being your very own 'Treasure Island'. It's truly one of the most enchanting places I've ever been and will remain in my heart forever. A group of us ventured out on the boats to Nanuku, it is not the easiest journey as it takes upto 2 hours getting there, but that's what you will do to find your own unhabited island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, pure paradise! On Nanuku, we embarked on spear fishing, admiring the surrounding reefs, cooked fresh fish that we'd just caught, admire the soft golden sands and relax... we where all on 'Fiji Time'. That evening we all surrounded our beach bonfire, enjoying a feast of fresh foods and settled in for the night after conversations, songs and many laughs. The next morning, I felt the most relaxed I'd felt in a long time, trying to remember this feeling for as long as I could. We all embarked from Nanuku to spend a couple more days back on Qamea. When it was our time to leave, I felt really sad, as this had been quite a special trip for me, one that had touched me dearly.

After our 18 hour journey back to the mainland of Viti Levu, we cruised upto a place called Pacific Harbour. Here is the place where it renowned for the best 'shark' diving in the world. So, with John enrolled we waited a couple of days and then he enjoyed his 'shark feeding' dives. The amount of conservation was happening in Fiji is brillaint, there really seems to be a big push in protecting its waters, marine life as well as considering traditional values. John expressed it was an amazing experience and I know one he will cherish. While he spent his day feeding 3metre sharks, I enjoyed the last of the Fijian beach life, enjoying my day on Fiji Time...super slow! Our last few nights we opted to stay in a place where it all began for us, back at Bamboo Backpackers. It holds such an ecclectic vibe and atmosphere, we both knew we wanted to spend our last few days here. The people are so warm and friendly and everybody just mixes and enjoys the moment. We made even more new friends and gave me time to reflect on my whoel Fiji Adventure. We spent around 3weeks exploring Fiji and for me, this just wasn't enough, I know that in time it will be a place I will most definitely return to, perhaps next time opting to utilise my full visa timescale....four months! Me and John both hold Fiji in our hearts, its not only the landscape that won us over so deeply, its more about the people, lifestyle and culture. Bula Fiji!

Bula Fiji...

Some of the beautiful local children watching the boats come by...

Getting prepared before I head out into the waters around 'Honeymoon Island'

The waters filled with lots of exotic marine life...

This is the octopus we spear fished after our snorkelling adventure

Lush green landscape on the beautiful 'Garden Island'

Me jumping in to the water...brilliant!

One of the forest crabs, peeking out to say hello

The final waterfall, all the boys admiring its power

A group picture just before we head into the fresh Fijian water

Stepping out of my beach hut, to admire the tranquility

Mmm....What's for dinner? Love Lovo...

John and Adam having a normal daily joke around...

Doing a small bit of exercise in crushing up the Kava for tonights drinking session

Tide is out...the view from my balcony, as I read and relax

Off to explore the local village on Tavenui

Me and Delilah enjoying a splash around...

Playing a game of netball with all the village women...

Arriving to the wonderful Nanuku...

My very own 'Treasure Island'...

This is how happy I am, really do love Fiji!

John chilling at the end of the inlet of the island...

Everybody tucking into our feast...delicious!

An afternoon stroll on this paradise island...

Our nightly bonfire keeping us warm...

Reflecting on this beautiful place...Fiji found my heart...