Bula!!!! I've just had the best week in Fiji, I loved it!!! Ok so I kept a diary of the week so I didn't forget anything but will shorten it so you don't get bored!!

3/2 - Had an absolutely amazing first day. Made friends with 2 girls in my hostel and left very early in the morning in a bus with no glass in the windows. Nadi was not that appealing but the locals were friendly. The boat journey was so long (5 hours!) and really bumpy but we arrived at Coral View at lunctime and had a warm welcome from the staff who were singing a traditional Fijian song. As soon as I arrived I was asked to take part in an obstacle course which I agreed to and then it chucked it down with rain and we all got drenched. Still perservered and it was such a laugh walking in a team on a plank of wood with rope attached. As we were so soaked we all went it the sea and it was so warm. Saw a beautiful rainbow when the rain finally stopped - photos to follow! Had a yummy dinner then the Fijians sang a welcome song and we performed the Bula Dance which is a bit like the Macaraina! This was followed by the lovely legs and hairy chest competitions. Very entertaining!

4/2 - Woke up at 7 for breakfast and had some yummy homemade cake. In the morning we went to visit the caves and got on a very questionable boat with 1 other guy when all of the other passengers had a safer looking one. But we made it there safely! The caves were so cool and we all jumped in the water and then had to go under the water and through to the other cave. I was a bit nervous about doing this as I am a wuss it the water and it was really dark, you could not see how long you would be under the water for. Was really proud of myself for doing it and then popped up to find the cave was pitch black and the guy with the torch was at the front moving quickly away leaving us in darkness. There were so many people in the water and I got a bit freaked out especially as it was so deep but it was an enjoyable experience! Had a really chilled out afternoon as the weather was really nice so had a sleep in a hammock - all that was missing was a cocktail! Went for a snorkle but the water was a bit murky from the storms so couldn't see a lot but did see a bright blue starfish. Before dinner we went for a walk to the top of the island to see the sunset but as we got 3/4 way up the path seemed to stop and we were all so tired and sweaty we went back down again! The views of the island were stunning though. Dinner was a traditional buffet and very tasty. Not as good a crowd as the night before and noone wanted to join in the games but we did have a crab race and my crab didn't do so well! Then we had a limbo competition which I sucked at.

5/2 - Had a very chilled out morning sunbathing and more sleeping in the hammock (I'm so getting one back home) After lunch we said goodbye to Coral View which was sad as the staff were so lovely. They sang a farewell song called Isaweli (no idea how it is spelt!) We then transferred to the Wana Taki boat where we were spending the night. Went snorkling in the afternoon and saw some cool stuff as the water was a lot clearer although the jellyfish looked a bit shifty! Rained for a bit but there was a beautiful sunset. Dinner was some kind of fish but it was delicious and so fresh. Had a really nice group of girls on the boat and got on well. There was yet another crab race and my crab Speedy Gonzalez won!!!! My prize was a shot glass, would rather have had the prize money! We then played 'suck and blow' (sounds worse than it is mum and dad!) which involved passing a playing card with your mouth using no hands and then had to pass an orange under your chin which was a laugh.

6/2 - Went for a kayak in the morning then had a very lazy day on the boat. Although it was fun being on the boat I found that I missed being on an island! Just as we were getting off the boat it chucked it down with rain but by the time we reached our next island, Kuate it had stopped. Our group was split between 2 islands so it was weird not being all together. Kuata was just perfect. The beach and views are so lovely and it was so peaceful. The welcome from the Fijians was great an they made you feel at home. I weaved a bracelet from a plant and the lady was a bit mad as I was halfway through making a cream one when I ran out of leaf and she put a brown piece in. I was too scared to ask her what she was doing and so made a half and half one! Everyone else had normal ones and as I had to pay for it I asked to make another one - she was not very happy with me! Met a wickedly funny gay guy who kept me entertained the whole time. Staying in a large dorm but everyone was so nice it was great fun. Had a delicious dinner and performed the Bula dance yet again. Then my new friend and I entered the dance competition and we won - well we stole it from a young boy but it got us a free glass of wine and he wouldn't drink it! Tried some cava which is their local drink and basically looks like muddy water and tasted like paper mache!!!

7/2 - Started the morning going reef snorkling which was brilliant. The boat out was so awful as I stupidly sat at the front (on the floor as there were no seats) and every time it hit a wave I was thrown about and really hurt by bum!! The snorkling was so great though as it was really clear and we saw loads. The guy gutted a fish to attract other fish and I had a piece which the fish did not seem to want so after spending 10 minutes waving guts at fish I eventually shoved it into a fishes face and he finally ate it! Saw a reef shark and got pretty close. It was quite small but great to have seen one. Had a very lazy afternoon playing cards, looking for shells and yet more sleeping in the hammock. At 5 we went on a summit walk and it was bloody hard work!!! I was so sweaty and tired and we had a crazy barefoot guide called Papa Jo who had a headress made out of leaves and kept talking about killing bulls. Finally made it to the top and the views were well worth it. Our evening entertainment was the Bula boys and they performed it grass skirts and not much else! We all joined in with their traditional dance and and then drank rum on the deck. Had a great time just chatting and watching the stars and singing along to the guitar. One of the Fijian men dedicated a song to me!

8/2 - Had another lazy morning on Kuata as we weren't getting picked up till the afternoon. Was really sad to leave as had such a wicked time and absolutely loved the island. Got a transfer to South Sea Island and din't arrive there till 5ish which was a shame as most of the day had gone. The island was tiny and it took 5 minutes to walk around it!!! The staff were so friendly, it was a shame we were only staying for 1 night. Watched the sunset which was beautiful especially watching it from a cute little island which felt like your own. After dinner had another crab race (they seriously need to think of other activities or at least vary the creatures they use!) and then played the most hilarious game of suck and blow as I was next to the gay guy and once we had the card between our lips we couldn't stop giggling but the card managed to stay in place. We then played the orange game and he ended up with his face in another girls cleavage to try and get to the orange - haven't laughed so much in ages and needless to say we lost!!

9/2 - Woke up at 5.30am to watch the sunrise and it was gorgeous. Went back to bed before breakfast and had to leave the island at 9.30 which was a shame as I didn't feel we had enough time there. Boarded the Seaspray boat and had such a fantastic day. We went to a traditional Fijian village and watched a cava ceremony then walked around the markets. Had a bbq luch on the boat. We then went to the island where the film Castaway was filmed and it was the most amazing island - white sandy beach and the clearest water - unfortunately there was no Wilson! Went snorkling and saw so many fish, wish I had brought an underwater camera. In the afternoon we made our way back to Nadi and said our goodbyes which was really sad. Have loved every minute of Fiji and made some wicked friends, some of which are going to NZ. Am now back in Nadi for the night and then fly to Auckland tomorrow, which I am really looking forward to!! Will write again in NZ xxxx