Bula (Hello)

We arrived in Fiji expecting beautiful sunshine and got rain. With the luck we have had this was no surprise but it was still very warm and didnt last long. Our taxi driver informed us this happens most days but nevr for very long so we trusted him.

We spent our first night on the mainland, our accomodation was a little strange it was like being in someones house but no one locks their doors it was nice though and only for one night. We went for a walk along the beach which was very dirty and hopefully not representative of the rest of Fiji. When we walked back we noticed that there was security at every accomodation but though nothing of it.

The next day we had to be up at 6.30 to catch the bus to the port ready to start island hopping. The coach was really full as was the big yellow boat we got on the head to north into the Yasawa islands. We decided to go to the most north islands first which ment spending 5 hours on the boat but it would be worth it.

The first Island we went to was a Nabua Lodge, we were a little disappointed as it was not what we were expecting, there was only electricity for a few hours every day and cold showers which were outside. The first guy we met who was sharing our dorm started telling us horror stories about bed bugs but luckily we didnt encounter any. It turned out to be quite good after our initial shock we had a good group of people and the beach was really nice. White sand, bruight blue sea and really sunny.

The food was another story it was very strange we had Fijian root vegetables like potatoes only horrible and cold beans on toast. Luckily we had a supply of cereal bars and crackers.

We decided to move on the next day and went to Gold Coast, only for of us got off the boat but we had heard good things. When we got there there was only 6 of us but it was ok. This place had no electricity except in the main hall, they gave a us a battery lamp to go to bed with. It was really hot in this Bure and we didnt get much sleep, this was not helped by the fact we were sharing with a lad who felt the need to get up every 2 hours and go for a walk outside.

The beach was really nice here, probably one fo the best we went to. I was sat in the sea minding my own business the next morning when a fish came up and bit me on the toe. I was not impressed. The food here was amazing so much better than the day before there was also a tea rooms on the island which was basically a wooden shack where a lady made a cake but it was nice.

We went Long Beach for the next island, this was much bigger, we were in an 8bed dorm which was ok and we got on really well with the people we were sharing with. There was a massive thunderstorm while we were here but they all happen at night so it didnt really affect us which was lucky. The food here was a bit wierd, Ash had chicken but it had bee cremated she wasnt impressed. The next day they gave her a sandwich which was supposed to be chicken but even I could see it was anything but chicken she ate it though and it was ok I think. You can only get food on the islands when they give it to you as there is no where to buy anything so you have to eat what you can get. This was the first island we had been to with internet although the electricity wasnt on all day still.

We then went to Korovou Eco resort, where we had to sleep in a 32bed dorm, we were hoping to stay here for 2 nights but thsi put us off a little bit. The resort was really nice, there was a pool and a big social area, as well as the big dorm there was lots of huts and a smaller dorm. This place had electricity all the time which was novel and the food was good. We had Bula Boys entertain us in the evening dancing and playing games which was good there was even a fire show. We got more sleep than we thought so decided to stay for 2nights after all. The weather wasnt great the second day and kept raining on and off.

For our final night on the islands we decide to treat ourselves and stay at Bounty resort which we had to pay a little extra for but it was worth it. We were in a 20 bed dorm but only half were full it had air con and a choice of dinner.

The weather still wasnt great but they had a massive bar area where i could sit in and watch the royal wedding build up. Ash went diving twice while we were here, her first was to a ship wreck the second was just a fish dive. She loved it although was very cold and wet when she came back.

We went back to the mainland where we had booked anicer place to stay and had a private room. The wedding was on so we had dinner and sat in our room watching the wedding til gone midnight. Everyone in Fiji was quite excited about it they even had it on in the bar.

We had to hang around all the next day as our flight wasnt until the evening but the weather had improved so we did a little bit of last mintue sunbathing before going to the airport to fly to America.