Fiji was completely awesome, like being back in Thailand again - so nice to not have to worry about being cold.

Anyway, from the last night in Taupo - left the random cafe I had found and walked back to the hostel. My friends off the bus had rented a few films to watch that night, so watched "inglorious basterds" which was actually really good. Then went and cooked before going out.

Started off in the bar attached to our hostel, started playing pool and randomly one of the bar staff organized a competition for us. Didn't win (pool skills were pretty poor that day) but one of my friends won 4 nights accommodation.

Then headed round the corner where an Irish pub was holding a free to enter quiz. Came 5th out of about 20, which was good, but didn't win anything. Pretty late by now so back to the 1st bar for a couple more drinks before bed.

Up early the next day for the bus, drove straight through to a place called Rotorua, where we stopped off to check out some hot pools and drop people off. Quick stop off just after this at a place where you can book an authentic "maori experience" - get driven out to a traditional village, lots of singing and dancing, and traditional hangi (food). Would have loved to do it, but only had 2 days to my flight and didn't want to risk it as I would have had to get the bus the next day and couldn't have missed it.

Anyway went to the loo, was at the back of the queue. By the time I walked up the bus had driven off, so looked like my wish had come true! Anyway, calmly walked into the Maori centre, where I didn't have to even tell the receptionist what had happened - she just rang the bus company and got the drivers number.

Anyway, eventually got back on the bus, then drove to Auckland. Got out and checked in, then cooked. Went out that night and had a really good time with a few new mates I had made on the bus that day, one of whom was coming to Fiji with me. Only stayed at the hostel bar, but had fun nonetheless.

Woke up late the next day, went souvenir shopping, accompanied a friend to the doctors, nothing serious, then we all treated ourselves to burger king.

Another great night out, again only went to the hostel bar, it was UV party night so just as well we didn't try to get into any other clubs, as we would have doubtlessly been turned away for looking like idiots.

Had an earlyish night, remembering our flight the next day. Had a crazy morning of packing, checking out, getting breakfast and then running to Sta travel to book my friends accommodation.

Eventually got the airport bus and checked in. Randomly met a friend I went to school with in Auckland airport (literally other side of the world) so caught up with him until we both had to go for our flights.

Made it with loads of time, then sat down in our seats. Amazingly got a meal and free drinks despite it being a dirt cheap 3 hr flight. Naturally it would have been rude not to try the free Fijian beer, and the 2nd one was just to make sure it was nice.

Got off the flight to find that the movies don't lie - there were actually 4 guys in flowery shirts and skirts playing guitar and singing for us as we got out the plane, which was so surreal. Then stood in passport control for half an hour, it would have been quicker but the airport had 2 powercuts, during which time the customs officials just sat and chatted. We were definitely on "Fiji time" - love it!

Met out the airport by the accommodation staff and got a paid taxi to our resort. Checked in and then went on the Internet for a bit. Had dinner - a massive surprise to our usual standards, proper meat and fish, artistically arranged on a fancy plate, and it tasted amazing. Then killed time sat outside until we got tired.

Up very early the next day to pack up and have breakfast before checking out. Got on the bus to the port, which was about a 30 min trip. Arrived and checked our bags in, before going to get money out (there are no ATM's on the islands).

Got there and stood behind a couple who were of some Scandinavian origin. They were talking to a Fijian woman, who saw me waiting and motioned for them to move out of the way. Stepped up to the cash point, put my card and pin in as normal. Put in the amount then pressed enter. The card then half popped out the slot, not quite enough for me to pull it out. Wasn't unduly worried, just stuck my finger in the slot and tried to pull it out. Realised my fingers were too fat and so looked around for something thinner. At this point the guy behind me (part of the couple) says - "oh you have to be really quick", turned back around to the ATM just in time to see my card get sucked in again.
Later found out that it had happened to the Fijian woman last night, and then the couple in front. Thanks for telling me guys!
Just to rub it in more, an English guy came round the corner, saw us all milling around infront of the ATM and said to me, thinking I was in a queue, "there's another machine just around the corner?". Said while tucking cash into his wallet.
Of course didn't even get the cash as I hadnt been able to take my card - some kind of security mechanism.

Anyway, had about 10 mins til the boat left, and the Fijian lady at the counter said that someone had rang the bank, who would be coming out in an hour or so. Found a more helpful Fijian lady who worked for the boat company, and she said she would get it for me and bring it out the following day.

So boarded the boat with 120 Fijian dollars, needing to pay 240 in 3 days time. Anyway, got over loosing my card and had a fun trip out to our island. Amazing views on the way there - nearly all the islands have resorts on them, some so small you could walk around the entire island in less than 5 mins. Proper Robinson Crusoe deserted island style.

Eventually got to our resort, which, as we had found out on the boat, was actually one of the nicest ones. Hopped off to be greeted by nearly all the staff, who all pulled out guitars or ukuleles and started singing. Then walked up the beach and shook hands with them all personally, completely amazed how friendly all of them are.

Dumped my bag in the dorm and then got changed and hit the beach! Exactly as I imagined Fiji to be - crystal clear water, which faded to a light blue as you swam further out, huge coconut trees and huts on the beachfront, and lots of pretty flowers everywhere.

Just a separate note - they must have a huge flower plantation somewhere, every morning we had fresh sheets with a new flower on the bed, then every table had at least 3 on, about 90% of the staff had them behind their ear, and any drink ordered from the bar had one in. Lots of dead flowers somewhere!

Got sick of the sand so walked back and went in the pool, then chilled out. The next 3 days kind of went a lot like this - wake up, shower, have breakfast, go on the beach or pool, have lunch, sit by the beach or pool, shower, have dinner, sit by the beach or pool. Get the idea?

Id like to say I really got into the Fijian culture, and did loads of activities, but really that would only apply if you count sunbathing as a Fijian activity.
Did do a few useful things - made bracelets, and took part in the traditional Fijian welcome kava ceremony. Did do something every evening too.

1st evening was beach bonfire party night, so played lots of games with the other guests and the staff. First was a balloon game, got into pairs and had to move the balloon into different places without using our hands, eg knee to knee, forehead to forehead. Came third, for which we still got free shots. Then the staff pulled out a limbo pole, and I actually won this - beating 2 of the Fijian staff at their own game, which was hilarious. Guessing all the practice I had with the flaming limbo pole in Koh Phangan paid off! More free shots followed of course. Partied for the rest of the night before collapsing into bed.

The next night was "movie under the stars" night. The staff set up a huge projector and screen by the pool, and we all sat and watched a film (it had Angelina Jolie and Johnnie Depp in, cant remember what it was called). Really cool watching a film out under the stars in Fiji on a sun lounger, with free popcorn!

Then the last night was 'international crab racing night' where you 'bought' a crab, and then raced it across the course for alcoholic prizes. All proceeds were matched 3 times by the resort and then donated to the local village school. Didn't win anything, but still very funny to see everyone cheering at random hermit crabs with numbers on their back.

Bit sad as all the activities I wanted to do - hand line fishing, kite flying and the sand castle competition were on Wednesday and thursday, so just after we left.

Anyway, got up on our last day, finally paid - its a hugely long story that you can skip if you want: lost my card. Managed to extract a promise from a Fijian woman that she would get my card out of the ATM when the bank employee arrived, and put it on the boat to come out to me the next day. Went into the office the next day to find nothing had been handed in, so asked the lady to ring the port and ask what happened. She couldnt get hold of the lady I'd spoken to as she was on the phone. So came back half an hour later - she said the bank person never came so to ring them. Rang the bank to be told they dont deal with that stuff on Sundays. Rang up the next day to be told that all the ATM workers were in a meeting, so could you call back in an hour. Rang back to be told that the lady that deals with that ATM wasn't in until 2, rang back at 2 to be told that she would be emptying it on Monday, and she would give it into the port desk to be put on the boat. Rang the port the next day (Monday) to be told that the bank person hadnt turned up yet. Rang back later to be told that it wasn't in the machine, got handed around and around the port employees until one of them said she thinks she saw another employee talking to a bank lady on Saturday.

Anyway, turns out some lady had got it, and had put it on the boat where it had sat for 3 days waiting for me to collect it!! Hadn't been told that I had to actually go out to the boat, so was annoyed. Eventually tracked down the lady's name, then spent most of tuesday (ie my last day) trying to ring the boat, which was dipping in and out of signal, actually got onto the phone to the lady who had my card, then it cut out.

Finally got hold of her, to which she asked "are you Joshua Goswell?" I said yes, and she told me all the bank details on the front of the card. Nice and secure. Paid, got on the boat and walked around looking for 'Maria' eventually found her, and she handed over my card without asking to see my ID.

Pretty sick of "Fiji time" by now.

Anyway, back to the more interesting story - paid and bought a Fijian door mat (they're very cool) then chilled out til the boat came. Got on, (more singing and ukulele on the way out) and read until we arrived into port.

Got off, said bye to everyone and hopped on the airport bus. Got there, checked in, then killed time in the duty free shops. Hadn't bought lunch in a bid to save that day, I would have also ended up with a useless pocket full of change to carry all the way home. Just had an extra big breakfast and put some toast in my bag, so was very tempted by all the chocolate in the airport. Couldn't sit anywhere near the 2 cafes.

Eventually boarded and found my seat. Pretty crap flight - tiny tv screen that insisted in cutting out every 20 mins, and the lady in front had her chair leant as far back as she could from literally 5 mins into the flight til we landed 9 hrs later, and I'm used to relatively nice plane food on Emirates, this was just a bag of crisps and a sandwich.

Bit weird - I left Fiji at 10pm on the 21st, and arrived in LA at 1pm on the 21st. Writing this in LA, where I've been for nearly 9 hours, I've still got 10 mins til my flight leaves from Fiji? Very odd.

Immigration took forever, and the guy i had was either new or just stupid. He took ages, which was probably why there was such a big queue to start with, and looked very confused when he asked me if I had ever lived in the US and I said yes. Then he stopped for a good 5 mins to butt in with the other immigration officer who was processing some guy who couldn't speak english. Grabbed my bag and headed through to bio security, which was a complete farce - I ticked yes to animal products, shells, rocks and coral, and also yes to food. The immigration guy goes "what food you got?" Me "a few cereals bars and some noodles" he then nods and gives my back my documents, not even bothered about anything else I may have had. Sorry to any American readers about the last paragraph there, just wasn't a huge fan of your border security.

Found the travel desk and booked myself into a hostel in Santa Monica. Then got the bus there and chilled out. Had ended up walking the wrong way 3 blocks and had had just 4 hours sleep on the plane, so was pretty tired.

Then did 'chores' - washing, drying and changing all my leftover Fijian, Aussie and Nz notes into Canadian ready for my flight the next day. Also saw a Levi shop in a half price sale so got a pair of those, don't have any jeans with me, figured they're hot, don't dry quick enough and you can't wear it damp, so didn't bother - do miss them though, and I'm staying at Manitou for 8 weeks so will need them.

Then spent the rest of the evening writing and catching up on my blog! There was some bad free wifi downstairs so hopefully all goes well. Actually I dont think its the wifi's fault, probably more to do with my horrendously outdated iPhone.

Anyway, only stopping off for a day in LA before my flight to Toronto, but will hopefully be returning afterwards. Have a few ideas of what I'd like to do - my flight is from LA so can't stray too far, thinking of maybe going to Joshua tree national park, or San Diego for a few days, then spending time in LA. Depending on flights and stuff I was thinking of flying part of the way then getting a bus the rest of it - really want to do Yosemite national park.

Also trying to think of "American" activities to do when I'm in LA again. One ive already thought of is getting a supersize meal in mcdonalds and trying to finish it, we don't even have this in the UK. Then maybe trying Taco Bell. Oh and then sampling all these crazy foods I've heard about in the supermarket. Like Twinkies.

Don't know why all of those were food related. I'd also love to go to a baseball/basketball game, but its probably very expensive.

Some Ideas I've already been given by some Canadian friends for example are - trying a 'Ceasar', going to an ice hockey match (would love to see the Vancouver Canucks, but think it's the wrong season, and I'm on the other side of the country, apparently Torontos team are pretty crap), trying 'root beer', and ordering some crazy concoction of chips, cheese and gravy I can't remember the name of from Wendys.

So any ideas from my American readers would be much appreciated.

For now,

Josh xx

Picture is of the pool in Fiji, not a great photo, much better ones on my actual camera to follow in Sept.