Bula everyone. Ok, so now we are on a decent computer, we can tell you all about Fiji......

Day 1 - Spent our first night on the mainland at Nadi Bay Hotel. Started with a spot of sunbathing around the pool, chatted with some other travellers and ended up doing the Fijian Macarena that night (very entertaining).

Day 2 - Up early to catch the boat to our first island (South Sea) and we also passed Bounty Island (AKA Celebrity Love Island). You can stand in the middle of South Sea island and see all the way around it. It would only take 5 minutes to walk around it and there was only approx 20 of us on the island. We were well impressed with our bbq lunch and thought we would be eating like kings for the 2 weeks if all the meals were like that. We spent the day sunbathing on the beach, snorkelling and went on a glass bottom boat around the near waters.

Day 3 - We went on the Seaspray day trip (boat trip) which took us to a traditional Fijian village where we saw our first Kava Ceremony and saw how local people really live. We then went to the Castaway Island which had a long deserted beach and crystal clear waters which were brilliant for snorkelling in. We looked out for Nemo but did not spot him at all in the whole 2 weeks (we did however see scarface). We returned to the island where we had dinner and played some fun drinking games.

Day 4 - Time to move on to our next island, Kuata. We arrived just in time for an unusual lunch (Aubergine sandwich). Later on in the day, we visited the local school where we talked to the children. We were surprised how enthusiastic they were, it seemed a little staged. We learnt how to weave our own bracelets and browsed the local market. That evening, we had another Kava Ceremony followed by a dinner we would never forget (Kava is a powder made out of a root from a plant which they mix with water before drinking - very traditional). We knew we had to try it but we hadn't heard good reviews about it, we thought it tasted like woody water!! It makes your lips and tongue go numb. For dinner was a root of a spinach, eggplant, dough and other fijian dishes. It did not taste good and we also had to eat it with our fingers. We were a little hungry that night so decided to turn to alcohol. We thought it might help us sleep as the dorm was infested with mice and the birds also liked to come in during the night.

Day 5 - The weather was a little overcast so Sophie (one of the girls) taught us some card games to keep us entertained. Later that day, we went for a summit walk which was quite difficult at times but rewarding when up there. The food was never that great on the island and so night we decided to have a proper drink. We learnt some more drinking games and after all the lights went out at 11pm, we all huddled around a lantern and a guitar and had a sing song. The islands only have a few hours of electricity a day, so when the lights do go out it is pitch black and torches are necessary (Krisha has already broken hers).

Day 6 - We were glad to be off to our next island, Yaqeta (Sanawai resort). This was a 2 hour choppy boat ride away with a hangover (we wont be doing that again in a hurry). We then had to transfer from the big boat to the island by going on a small speed boat. The heavens decided to open on this 20 minute trip on this open air boat. We managed to get our luggage covered but the captain was reluctant to let us get under there too, so we had to do it slyly. Ourselves and our luggage arrived soaking wet (our luggage never recovered the whole trip). When we arrived at Sanawai, we were suprised at how little the resort was. It was run by a couple and the 8 of us in our group and 2 other guests were the only ones there. We felt like part of the family and wife mothered us and cooked us proper homely meals. We also had a go at cocunut husking which is not as easy as it looks.

Day 7 - Today, the weather was also not good so played more cards. We broke the day up by going fishing for our dinner once it had stopped raining. 5 of us girls, set off with the captain which he must have found funny as none of us would put the bait on the hook or take the caught fish off it, we just screamed and rocked the boat. Marie sucessfully caught 3 fish and Krisha caught 0. She puts it down to watching her dad and brother for years! That evening, we ate our catch which was very tasty.

Day 8 - Time to move on again to Nanuya Lailai (Sunrise resort). The weather was fine until we decided to get on the little boat to be transferred to the big boat. The heavens once again opened, and we were back under the plastic. 20 minutes of being bent over looking at your feet with your head between your knees, did not do our stomaches any favours on this choppy day. We underestimated how choppy it was when we got on the big boat. When we moved out of the bay onto the open sea, the boat was literally flying. It felt more like a theme park ride and it was very scary (Krisha fell over with her luggage and icecream and grazed her knee, Marie found it highly amusing). We wandered along to the tea house as we found out they sold chocolate cake (very hard to get hold of luxuries like this). We also passed a turtle which we went to have a look at in the sea. Where it had been raining for days, the beds were very damp and we did not sleep well at all unlike all the cats. Krisha had one on her backpack and Marie was shouting in the middle of the night as she could not work out what was clawing at her feet.

Day 9 - Today, we decided to take a walk to Blue Lagoon (the posh resort) on the other side of the island which was meant to be 20 minutes away. This turned out to be an hour away which we had to walk bare footed up and down muddy hills through the woods. There was a group of us that went and we were nearly there when we realised we had to cross a swampy thing. We ran through that before arriving at the stunning resort. As the wind had picked up, we decided to stay there for lunch as we were craving some normal food.  That evening, we each named a crab for the crab race (Eddie, Norbit & Burt).  Krisha won the race with Burt and won a can of premixed Vodka and orange, the same prize as when she won bingo (there was about 20 people playing by the way).  Everyone decided to go onto the beach that night, the plan was to have a bonfire but it was too windy. 

 Day 10- Today, we went on a cave trip.  We first went down the stairs into an open cave (hole in the top) where we jumped into the water.  We then plucked up the courage to swim under the water, through a hole, into the closed cave (very dark).  Guides shoved us through at one end and yanked us out the other.  They then showed us round with their torches.  It was very strange swimming through a dark cave but we thoroughly enjoyed it.  Later that day, we transferred to the Wanna Taki Cruise boat which we were staying aboard for 2 nights.  We were so excited to have hot showers, air con and dry beds.  They took us to a secluded bay for more snorkelling.  We really appreciated the showers as we were used to hose pipes in sheds.  We enjoyed cocktails and lovely food.

Day 11 - The sun is shining and we were happy bunnies again.  One of the crew dropped us girls at a deserted beach which we had to ourselves.  That evening, we played games and enjoyed the relaxing lifestyle. 

Day 12 - Dropped again at a secluded beach which we enjoyed to ourselves to top up our tans.  After lunch, we reluctantly left the boat for another island.  We arrived at Manta Ray that afternoon which was a better equipped island.  However, there were lots of annoying bugs.  We enjoyed out last night with our Fiji family (Sofie, Natalie, Sorrel, Claire, Chris & Roxanne) who we've travelled all the islands with.

Day 13 - Relaxed in hammocks which Krish had to negotiate with sometimes. Marie done some more snorkelling with the girls and was chased by 2 little evil looking fish with teeth.  Later that day, we had to say goodbye to Sofie and Natalie who returned to South Sea (hopefully we'll see them in Oz though).  We returned to the mainland with everyone else and stayed at Smugglers Cove Hotel (in the dorm).  Very nice for 8 pound per night. 

Day 14 - Today we done a little sunbathing before it clouded over, again.  We spent the rest of the day dossing and had our last evening with Sorrel and Claire.

We really enjoyed and experienced the real Fiji.  We stayed in wooden dorms which resembled sheds, we showered in cold water, tried some interesting food and got used to the simple life with no electricity etc.  We also appreciate what it is like to have clean, fresh clothes.  We made friends with some great people who we had a right laugh with.  We found that the wheels on our rucksacks dont work well on sand so we were forced to lug them on our backs more than we've had to so far.  We have really enjoyed ourselves and now looking forward to some civilisation.