February 1-4, 2014 Bounty Island, Fiji

February 1-4, 2014

Bottom Line:
Flew from Auckland, NZ to Nadi, Fiji

BACK STORY:
Our flight was smooth between New Zealand and Fiji.  We were looking forward to spending a couple of days in the tropics to relax before heading back home for what we expected to be a crazy one week stay.  Although our three months have been nothing short of fantastic, we have sensed the end nearing and have begun disconnecting and are ready for home.  We have successfully lived abroad for three months but need to get our plans together for the next two months in South America.

As our jet descended the view out the window exposed the main river near Nadi, swollen and silty brown, nearing flood stage during a typical rainy season.  Much had changed since we were here three months earlier.  The river is notorious for spilling over its banks and isolating the city from the outlying neighborhoods and communities.  The airport runway was filled with silt and mud and the hills florescent green from rain.

River near Nadi, Fiji

Muddy runway of Nadi

The shuttle from the airport to the ferry terminal deposited us quite a bit ahead of schedule.  We were to catch a ferry to a resort on Bounty Island.  With luggage in tow we decided to ask the travel agency that had booked our accomodation if they could secure and keep our luggage for a few hours.  They were more than happy to help.

With three hours to kill and the weather being hot and humid, the travel agent suggested that we catch the free hotel shuttle bus which would loop around to each of the major hotel resorts.  He told us to take the bus to the furthest hotel and get off to enjoy the poolside amenities (pool, showers, cafe, bar, etc.). He then said to either catch the bus or walk the beach to the next hotel and do the same.

We felt a bit awkward in potentially "using" a facility for free, but he assured us that it was our way of viewing properties for future accommodations. With that we went out to the curb and caught the next bus.  We visited five resorts returning refreshed and rested. 

Poolside watching a distant storm

An afternoon libation!

Reclaiming our luggage we caught our ferry to our resort.  As we approached Bounty Island we were called to the port side of the boat where our luggage was tossed onto the roof of a little skiff and we were shuttled over to the resort.  The water was too shallow for the ferry to safely navigate around coral.

Bounty Island

Shuttle to Island

 Arriving we were greeted by more happy and pleasant people of Fiji. After checking in we were showed the daily activity board, on your honor bar, the buffet area where all meals (inclusive) would be served and then taken down a long sandy path to our bungalow #19.

Our resort

Activity Board

Bar Seating

Sandy path to bungalow

Bungalows

Unit #19

The bungalow sat in the shade of the palms right at the waters edge.  After unpacking, I found myself in a hammock for a short rest. Anxious to get into the water Bruce and I headed back to the main beach with snorkel and masks in hand. 

Love the tropics!

We had been told that the best viewing of fish in coral heads was out from the main beach.  The visibility was a bit murky as if the sand had been tossed around in the water.

As we returned to shore, a new group of guests had arrived for a two hour visit with lunch.  They seemed to be happy playing in the salt water pool.  The pool was cloudy and not something that I felt compelled to swim in.  After showering we came back to the social area for a drink and dinner.

resort pool

 
As I walked I spotted elderly couple tending a vegetable garden.  I stopped and spoke with them. They are trying to grow organic produce that the kitchen can use.  Their challenge was in hand watering and dealing with blight, white flies and salt. I was told that they work for two weeks straight and then can go back home on a remote island for five days.  We spoke about God and they shared that church is hosted on a different island each week.  All interested in attending of course come by boat.

Abe Yvala

Lina Yavala

The organic garden

Although we were thankful for three meals a day, the food kept repeating itself and everything tasted the same.  The cook was so sweet and kind that you just didn't mind.

Social area at night

Buffet area

Thankfully we went snorkeling on the first day as the weather deteriorated as storms stacked up over the mainland.  We did take a hike around the island along the shoreline.  We enjoyed views of rough water, colorful flowers, trees and little critters that call the island, "home."

Shoreline

Rough surf

Elusive crab

Sea Turtle

Island hens

Hibiscus

Fragrant flower

Ladies tongue

Papaya

Following a couple of days visit with Les and Lawrence, we headed back to Fair Oaks for one week where we unpacked, did laundry, repacked and headed back to Los Angeles bound for South America!

Auckland, NZ - January 31, 2014

 January 31, 2014

BOTTOM LINE:
Toured Auckland

BACKSTORY:
Bruce and I spent the day retrieving Bruce's stored baggage, repacking, resting and preparing for Fiji.  We toured the waterfront area of Auckland by foot. The historical restored Ferry Building was quite a contrast to the swanky, popular eateries and night clubs.

Ferry Building

Auckland Skyline

The walkway gave a great view of the city skyline and the marina.

We were told that nearly every household has some kind of boat, so you can imagine the number of slips.  There was also a large stepped swimming area for locals to enjoy.

The ongoing rivalry for the America's Cup sailing races was explained in a pictorial board display.  The Kiwi's have a fierce competitive spirit when it comes to sailing and water sports. We actually got a view of one of the Kiwi vessels.

A walk on the waterfront would not be complete without sushi for Barb and an ice cream for Bruce! We met a group of college students from China enjoying some dessert after singing in a Christian concert.

fresh sushi

Christian musical performers

Back to Auckland Thursday - January 30, 2014

THURSDAY – JANUARY 30, 2014

BOTTOM LINE:

Walked to the Quarry Gardens

Transported to Auckland

BACK STORY:

We checked out of our hostel, The Bunkdown Lodge, but were allowed to store our baggage until we shuttled to the bus stop at 3pm.

Not to waste a day, Bruce wanted to walk and see the Quarry Gardens.  Peter, the hostel host said that it would be an easy 20 minute walk.  An hour later after hiking up and down hills we made it to the entrance.  It was hot and sunny out so the breeze helped to cool us.

It turned out that the area was a mined rock quarry and someone got the brilliant idea of beautifying it. 

Plants, retaining walls, terraces, creeks and a lake help to adorn a very beautiful garden area.  Local clubs have helped to donate picnic tables and benches for visitor’s enjoyment.  It is highly secured as they had an arsonist set two fires to the area.  Luckily little damage occurred and he was arrested.

 

Quarry Garden, Whangarei, NZ

 

Plants at Quarry Garden

Beauty among rocks

Upon our return walk, we caught the last of our Kiwi Experience bus rides back to Auckland where we began on Dec. 25, 2013.  We checked into our LAST hostel in the city around 5pm.  Once settled and cleaned up we headed out for a bite to eat.

Auckland skyline

Our room faced the street and was over an open air pub.  The hostels like to support the local pubs so once a week they do what’s called a “pub crawl.”  About 100 tickets are sold for about $15 each.  The group of 100, start out at one bar and move together as a group to three other bars for a total of four beers.  It begins at 10pm and runs until…lets say, I checked my watch at 4pm when the noise ended!  Many of the young people were to board a bus at 8am!  I am soooooo glad that our tour with Kiwi is O V E R!!!

Although this is an amazing country to visit and I would highly recommend the experience, I would not recommend how we traveled in NZ.  The good thing about the Kiwi Experience Tour is that we were taken to places that we may not have experienced on our own and we have had wonderful commentary along the way.  If you are up to traveling with young people (average age: 20years) who may or may not be mature/respectful and like staying in hostels that may lack private rooms, bathrooms and unclean kitchen facilities…then sign up!  

The next few days will be in transit through Fiji and onto home. Unless there is some compelling reason that draws my computer out, I will call this the end of our three-month blog to Australia and New Zealand. We are over the top grateful for this time and means to travel together. It has been incredible and filled with memories to last our lifetime.

We will be at home for one week before leaving for South America on February 16^th.  You are invited to check back at this sight to travel with us through another amazing part of this world that God has gifted us with!

Perfect Day Tour Wednesday - January 29, 2014

WEDNESDAY – JANUARY 29, 2014

BOTTOM LINE:

“Perfect Day” boat tour to Poor Knight’s Island

BACK STORY:

With a weather forecast of 71 degrees and clear, sunny skies we anticipated a wonderful excursion to Poor Knights Island.

We were picked up at Bunkdown Lodge where we were staying about 7:30am.  Because we were driving to another town, we had to catch a ride with the divers.  It meant a 2 hour wait before our boat was ready to leave.

When we got to the village of Tutukaka, we knew that we were in a special place.  It was gorgeous, right on a beautiful marina and there was an excellent café offering breakfast next to the dive shop.

I ordered creamy balsamic mushrooms on toast with an egg on top.  It was excellent and something that I will try making at home.

 

breakfast

We had plenty of time before we left so we walked around the marina and the shops that were opening early to catch any business from divers and cruise boats.

 

 

Our boat for the day

 We boarded our boat with the crew friendly and welcoming.  We had about 50 people traveling with us out to the Poor Knights Marine Reserve.  The area had been used by the early Maori natives and because of that many people are buried there making it a sacred place.  It has never been fished and people have never stepped foot on the islands.  Because of that the marine life is stellar…many species, which are not seen in other areas of New Zealand.

 

Leaving marina at Tutukaka

Although it was a sunny day with clear skies as we left the protection of the marina the rolls in the ocean became apparent so I just sat back, practiced breathing and told myself that I wasn’t going to get sick.  Thankfully I didn’t!!!

There are a couple of Island clusters out where we were going.  The main one is Poor Knights with the other named the Three Squires…very British?

 

Poor Knights

Three Squires

After slowly cruising around a small bay to give us the rules and lay of the land/sea everyone that was interested in snorkeling were issued wet suits and any other gear that was needed.  Yes, the water was a chilling 68 degrees!!!  Some girls from Sweden didn’t bother with wet suit and seemed very at home in the water! 

 

Ready to snorkel

Back of boat

I entered the water and immediately began swimming asking myself, “what the heck I was doing?”  Within five minutes the water between the wet suit and my skin warmed and I was glad that I took the plunge!  The clarity was incredible as I could see all the way to the bottom where scuba divers were! 

The snorkeling there was much different than tropical snorkeling.  It is more what northern California, Puget Sound or Maine would be…kelp and large granite rocks.  Colorful plant life grew on the rocks and the abundance of fish was breath taking…very large to very small.

 

Arch to swim under

 

Clear but cold water

There were caves and arches in the bay to swim in.  Some people chose to stay on board and watch the marine life via an under water camera.  Some people chose to paddle board and others picked some kayaking exercise.

Paddle board

 

Bruce kayaking

I was good for 30 minutes before I couldn’t feel the tips of my fingers.  My fingers seemed to have shrunk in the cold water and I was afraid of losing my wedding rings.

Bruce decided to warm up by kayaking.  I changed and went in for some hot soup.  Lunch was provided as part of the tour which all tasted good, especially the fresh fruit.

There were some elementary aged kids on the boat who were out in the water with the adults.  It was so fun watching and listening to their enthusiasm and excitement at seeing the world under the ocean for the first time.  One young boy reboarded the boat exclaiming, “The was amazing!” It was just precious to see.

After a two hour visit and everyone was back on board we pulled anchor and moved through the rock formations slowly as we heard facts and folklore.

At one point the captain took us into the largest sea cave in the world.  Rikoriko cave was huge and actually accommodated two boats inside at once.  The colors of the minerals were lovely shades of amethyst and sage against the aqua of the water.

 

Rikoriko, largest sea cave in the world

Inside cave looking out

There were arches and more caves, one of which had a light shaft coming through to light the water.

Poor Knight waterway

 

 

Mighty Pacific

 

Arch we drove through

Cave with light shaft

Bird life, flora and marine mammals all made for The Perfect Day!