Bula (Hello/Welcome) Everyone

So after a very long flight we made it to Fiji!! We landed at about 5am but customs took ages so it was about 7am by the time we left tiny Nadi airport. We were staying about 12min from the airport on our first night as our trip didn't start until the next day. We sleepily checked into our room and had a nap until about 3pm. Feeling a bit more alive we went for a swim and started on our tanning it was about 35 degrees which was nice. The Nadi bay hotel was lovely and we had a really nice dinner.

The next day our shuttle bus picked us up at half 7, so once again no lie in for us. We has booked ourselves onto an awesome adventures island hopping tour that took us round three of the Fijian islands. After checking in at the dock we found out that our first island was Coral View resort - the furthest island away from the main land! Typical, so we got on the big boat and settled down on top deck for our 5 hour journey to the island. Considering it was only 8 in the morning the sun was so hot. I think we lasted about 2 hours before moving downstairs into the shade. Even though the journey was long the scenery was beautiful, just what you imagine tropical islands to look like. Lots of tiny land masses with white sandy beached and clear blue waters!

At last we got to ours! A tiny boat came to collect us and our luggage along with the other passengers, and by tiny I mean a small fishing boat that just about fitted us all in. We were welcomed onto the island by the staff singing and playing instruments, everyone here is so lovely and welcoming. We had a welcome meeting to go over resort procedure then we had lunch. Our room was a little hut right next to the beach; we had our own bathroom as well so we were happy. We walked round the island and chilled out on the beach. Compared to the on the go pace of America it was nice to just stop and have time doing nothing. After dinner the staff again did some singing for us and provided entertainment. It was bedtime after a quick creepy crawly check of our hut.

We had a nice lie in the next day and continued the lazy theme through most of the afternoon; however we did do some snorkeling just off the bay. The corals where amazing and in the clear water you could see so much. We saw nemo fish and star fish as well as weird looking ones that kind of looked poisonous. That evening we met some other English people and spent the night with them again enjoying the singing and the games the staff had put on for us. Both Ben and I were becoming accustomed to the local beer as well!

A new day brought a new island, this time it was only a two hour boat ride to Korovou Resort. Again it was a beautiful island with white beaches and blue waters. Our little hut was again right on the beach with a hammock outside it. This resort had a fresh water pool so you didn't have to get all salty if you didn't want to. After checking in we were taken down the beach to watch a man climb a coconut tree and then climb down it head first, very impressive and not something I would try. However the coconut itself was very yummy. It was slightly cloudy, however still VERY hot, both Ben and I turned a little pink after a day in the sun. I had a nice dip in the pool to cool off whereas Ben went and played volleyball with some of the locals and other travellers. The food was lovely here and the staff's entertainment was really good. We were all up dancing and making fools of ourselves, but so was everyone else so it didn't matter.

The 2nd day on the island was very windy but again very very hot, the people we met on the first island had come over to this one which was nice. Again it was a chill out day of lazing by the pool which suited us just fine. The evening entertainment again got us up dancing with men in grass skirts, but after a few local beers everyone was happy to join in.

Our final day on Korovou wasn't as nice as the day before but by 12pm the sun had burnt through the morning cloud and quickly became very hot again. The wind on the other hand gradually increased during the day causing a few moving sun beds. The shuttle boat to our next island wasn't until 2.30pm so Ben and I sat with the other English guy (who were also heading to another island today) and relaxed playing the odd game of cards and generally trying not to get burnt. The small passenger boat from the island to the main boat was buffeted about by the wind and waves but safely got us to the main boat. The 3 hour steam to our final island of Bounty was rough with plenty of crashing waves and moments of slight sickness especially when we stopped to let people off and gather new passengers.

Thankfully we reached Bounty Island without any illness and disembarked with three other couples. The island itself was tiny, taking 25 minutes to walk around but even though was picture perfect. Again this island had a fresh water pool but also fresh running water piped from the mainland so warm showers. The room was located 5m from the beach and was perfect for us, shower, fan and a mosquito net! The only downside is we had no main light in the room but we made do with a torch. The evening dinner was amazing and I was extremely happy when they brought out dessert. The staff sang a few welcome songs before we decided to have an early night.

Our final day on the islands was sat around the pool relaxing and trying to get as much of a sun as possible before we had to cover up in New Zealand. The lunch and after-noon tea were great and before we knew it the boat was here to take us back to Nadi. The boat was very busy but it was only a quick 40min to the port where we unloaded, collected our luggage and jumped on the complimentary coach back to the hotel. The bus took us back to the same hotel we had stayed at our first night in Fiji so some of the staff remembered our faces, which was nice. By this time it was 7.00pm so we threw our bags in the room and headed down to the bar to grab some dinner and get a good eat for the final. The match was great and was made even better surrounded by the staff and residence of the hostel. The female staffs were supporting France I think to annoy the male staff who were very passionately supporting New Zealand. After the final whistle the locals erupted into cheer (more of relief) and we were brought a beer by one of the New Zealand supporters to celebrate. There was a great atmosphere especially after the game talking to some of the staff and supports who were clearly very passionate about the game and result. We watched the medal presentation and decided it was time for bed as we had an early start heading to New Zealand. We both thanked the gentleman for the drink, breathed a sigh of relief that we wouldn't be landing in a very grumpy Auckland and headed to bed.

From Fiji with Love

Nikki and Ben x