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.
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| River near Nadi, Fiji |
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| 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.
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| Poolside watching a distant storm |
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| 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.
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| Bounty Island |
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| 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.
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| Our resort |
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| Activity Board |
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| Bar Seating |
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| Sandy path to bungalow |
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| Bungalows |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Abe Yvala |
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| Lina Yavala |
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| 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.
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| Social area at night |
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| 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."
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| Shoreline |
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| Rough surf |
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| Elusive crab |
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| Sea Turtle |
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| Island hens |
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| Hibiscus |
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| Fragrant flower |
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| Ladies tongue |
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| 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!
