Hello everyone!
We are now in Brisbane after an amazing 3 weeks in Fiji; relaxing, sunbathing, swimming, snorkelling and fishing! The trip began with an absolutely awful flight from LA with Air Pacific. Probably the oldest plane I have ever been on! We were so squished up and the TV screen was about 3cmX3cm with the worst films and the very worst food...but after 11 and a half hours, we got there!

To begin with, we booked some accommodation at the airport and made our way to our first night's hostel on the mainland - Nadi. It was a nice place with a good restaurant and pool. We didn't do much here as it poured absolutely torrential rain for the whole day (apparently the end of the rainy season). The next day though, we boarded the boat and began the 4 and a half hour trip up the Yassawa Islands to our first destination. The boat ride was choppy and cloudy with deceptive sunburn ability. Somebody also threw up at the front of the boat and the wind blew it all the way to the back of the boat haha! Missed Mat and I though thankfully!

Our first stop was a place called Nabua Lodge. Unfortunately they had messed up our accommodation though and we had to get taken across the water to another Island that we had planned to stay at 3 days later. This turned out to be a godsend. The beach was amazing, the staff were all so friendly and we met some great people there of all ages and nationalities. We had only planned to stay tehre for 3 nights, but extended to 6. As a result of this we were given a free upgrade from the 12 bed dorm, into a private room with its own HOT shower and bathroom. This place was called Oarsman's Bay, and here we did lots of night fishing (where we each caught 3 snapper and Mat caught a shark that got away), snorkelling, volleyballing, paddleboarding, kayaking and lots more. We were sad to leave this place and the people that we had met here...a definite recommendation for anyone thinking of going to Fiji!!

After Oarsman's, we were booked to stay at a more basic and rustic place called Barefoot Lodge on another Island. As soon as we stepped of the boat with only 1 other Swiss girl, we knew that there was something not wuite right. We were literally the only people on this island (apart from staff). It was like castaway or something. Driftwood on the beach, wild dogs running around and coconuts wherever you looked. Anyway, after checking in we learned there were 8 other people on the Island and that they were part of a cruise so only stayed ocassionally and that the next day there would be us and 2 other people. There was also pretty much nothing to do here and the sand was covered in ants with no sun loungers so nowhere to sit.
We put our bags in our 'shed' and walked into the forest to look at the bathroom. At least we had a light in our hut I suppose. We stayed here for only 2 nights of the 3 that we planned - did some sunbathing, reading and more fishing and actually had an okay time. BUt it was just too quiet so we decided to move on to Mantaray Island, just opposite the one we were on.

Mantaray was a lot more commercial and run by Australians rather than Fijians, like the others that we had been on. This gave ait a totally different feel. We met a few really nice Germans and had a lovely dinner and some beers with them that evening. The next morning we got up early and had the chance to go out snorkelling and look for the Manta Rays. Unfortunately there were no flippers in my size so when I got in the water I was a little slower than everyone else. Although, at first this was okay as we couldn't see anything anyway - the Rays had gone too deep. But then!! Someone signalled that they saw something so everyone started swimming really fast and bashing into eachother and it got so choppy and we were swimming against the current and tide. This was a bit scary and I wasn't getting anywhere with no flippers anyway so I got back in the boat. Mat continued to swim around and looked but we were just a wee bit too late and they had swum away :-(

We left Mantaray that day with our new German friends and booked into a new Island Resort called Octopus... This place was so great! It had the sea and a pool and amazing food and people. It was so much fun. There were activities each night and a lot to do during the day if you wanted to. Mat went fishing here, again, and caught a big fish (in the pictures) and we both went to the Island's village to visit the Kindergarten which was soooo cute. The kids sang some songs for us and then were absolutely taken aback by our cameras. They did a lot of hugging and Mat did a lot of throwing them around and it was just really nice. Quite an awakening though at what they don't have in the schools compared to us, so we donated some money to the school, as we had done at the doctors surgery on another Island.
It is hard to remember everything that we did and in what order and seems like so long ago! I am sure there is so much missed out but I could never remember everything!
We left Fiji last Thursday and arrived here in Brisbane the same day (26th May). Brisbane is cold (compared to Fiji) but busy and bustling and really nice so far! We have done lots of walking and plan to go to the Zoo tomorrow. We are looking to buy a car now and head up north to the warmer weather.

That is about all for now, but we will keep you updated a bit more often, now that we are back in civilisation!

Speak soon,

Jess and Mat
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