Hi everyone, hope all is ok.

We finished New Zealand on a high when we met an English couple from Devon and throughout the night on our campsite we managed to get a free dinner and pudding. People kept coming in periodically bringing food in asking if we wanted it because they were leaving the next day. It included things such as pizzas, pancakes, biscuits, peanuts and lots more. As you can imagine I was in my element, it got better though a guy brought in some bottles of beer, who was later followed by another guy who brought in a bottle of rum and some cans of coke. Because me and Clare hadn't had any alcohol in New Zealand at all, we found it so funny that on our last night we manage to get free booze. Us and the English couple sat up drinking beer, eating pizza and just laughing at how lucky we were. One guy even brought in trainers, a rain mack and a bbq, it was hilarious.

The following evening we flew to Fiji, when arriving we were very welcomed by the Fijians and we each given a shell necklace. We were taken to our hotel located right on the beach. We managed to catch the second half of the Liverpool v Chelsea game on the big screen in the lounge before going to bed. When we woke up in the morning we pulled back the curtains walked out on to our balcony overlooking the swimming pool and a beautiful beach. After breakfast we went to relax in the hammocks between the coconut trees and listened to ocean whilst swinging like big kids. We later got a taxi to our surf and dive resort, which is where we're spending the rest of our trip. Once again we were welcomed by the staff and were taken to our little cabin located right by the beach. The resort is opposite Tavarua and Namotu Islands that are surrounded by some of the most world famous waves such as Cloudbreak, Restaurants, Swimming pools, Namotu lefts and many more. It's a very peaceful resort and you get to know other travelers really well. Infact on the first night we put our tables together at dinnertime and began sharing experiences. We had arranged a boat ride the next day to go surfing and snorkeling at Wilkes Passage by Namotu Island. I think we jinxed everyone as when we got on the boat we were pushed out from the beach and when they went to start the engine, it wouldn't start. They attempted to fix it, but we ended up changing boats instead. We eventually arrived at Wilkes Passage and got to see some of the famous waves in the distance along the way. When arriving I went straight in surfing, the surf took us all by surprise when the big sets of waves rolled in at 12ft plus. Obviously this was to big for Clare to go out so she stayed on the boat, but with the swell being so big it was making the boat move so much and she got sea sick. I'm almost certain that I spotted a white tip reef shark whilst surfing. Along with the bad currents and my shark sighting Clare certainly didn't want to go snorkeling.

The following day I went out surfing with the other lads to Namotu Lefts and Clare relaxed at the resort with the girls. The surf was a dream, but we couldn't go in straight away, the reason being in Fiji some of the Islands own the waves surrounding them, therefore you have to wait for the people staying on that Island to leave the Island on the change over day, which was the Saturday we were there. Because the people staying on Namotu Island were still in the sea we had to wait for them to get out, then we could go to the Island, sign a form that said we would leave when the new people arrive on the Island that day. The best bit about it though we got to surfalone for 3 hours, surfing perfect waves with turtles in touching distance. It was the best wave I have surfed this trip, the best I have surfed and a memory I'll never forget. After this amazing day I couldn't wait to get back to tell Clare.

I've been out for a few other surfs at different breaks and me and Clare have also walked up the local mountain to watch the sun set, the sky was a beautiful mixture of oranges and reds. Last night we had a Fiji night learning about some of their culture, tasting local food and drink. The food is cooked on hot rocks in a hole in the ground called 'Lovo', it was amazing to watch. The drinks were also hand made from a local plant and water. It was a fun night filled with music and entertainment we haven't seen before. We are going into town today to have a look around and will be relaxing the last few days before flying to L.A on Wednesday.

Take care, love you all speak to you soon.

xxxx