Hello everyone,

Hope you are all well, I have got a little up dating to do...so here we go...

We arrived in fiji at the airport to a group of fijians playing their songs with the floral necklaces and sarongs...a perfect start. We started the fiji experience the next day which is a hop on and hop off bus around the main island. it was a great way to meet loads of people and we made some great friends. Due to the recent floods that have hit fiji, some of our trip was cancelled, but it felt good knowing that half of our ticket money was going to help those in need.

On our first day we had to buy sarongs as we were visiting a local village and this was the traditional dress code. 2 local girls followed me all around, amazed by the nail varnish on my toe nails. We also stopped at a gorgeous beach, apparently one of the top ten in the world...but arent they all :)

From there we have also visited an orphanage, which was quite an experience. Really good to see the real fiji. By now the rain was very heavy, torrential down pours that never stopped. we were warned it was the rainy season, but we hoped it would not be that bad!! For the next few days, the rain did not stop. All the frogs came out and while running around dashing for cover, many got squashed!! There were so many! During our journeys on the bus we would all be hanging out the windows waving at the locals and shouting 'bula' (hello) The fijians are definatly the friendliest people we have met on our travels so far.

In the evenings the drinks started flowing and clothes were getting exchanged and mid night swims in the pool! Our last stop on the fiji experience was at another village for a traditional kava ceremony. there was dancing and singing and then the kava ceremony where you drink practically muddy water out of a bowl...it was certainly an experience!

Then it was time for some island hopping. The weather was still bad, so it was quite sad as you could see no end to the rain. The first 3 islands we visited had pouring rain all day, with the odd moment to make a dsh walk along the beautiful beaches. So we spent time napping, and eating oreos, they were our saving grace!!

But then the sun started to shine. And once it did, it never stopped. From then on it was beautiful fiji as you imagine it to be!! Days were spent going to different islands, lying in hammoks reading, enjoying afternoon tea or swiming and sunbathing. It was perfect!

We visited a school, and during their break time, all the little kids came running down to meet us and play. Some of the food we have has has been fantastic with the best fresh fish ever!! (and iwe dont really even like fish!) Our last few days have to be our best, staying on pristine beaches with warm gentle waters. A fijian night in the evening meant we had to eat with out knives and forks...that was interesting for a jaket potatoe and coleslaw...

Our last island stop was Bounty island. Do you remember the programm 'celebrity love island'? well that was where that was filmes. It was paradise. Our beach bure accommodation was 5m away from the sea. it was great, with a hammok outside. We rented kyaks, that took 15 mins to paddle around the island. Most of our evening were spent playing competitive games of cards...we still argue over who is winning :) we shall call it a draw!

That was our last island, and from there it was back to the main land for a night to do a massive load of washing, then a flight to bangkok early in the morning. Fiji was incredible!!