So, Fiji... Let's just say it's fun but not fab. To be honest it's not as beautiful here as you'd expect but that's just my opinion and I've probably been spoilt already by what I've seen elsewhere. But hey!! Does this place know how to party... Anyway I left Nadi last Saturday and hit Robinson Crusoe Island for drinking, singing, shows, fire, cava and games. Great time had by all. R.C Island is the nearest to the "mainland" but the facilities there are incredibly basic - i.e. showers = bucket of cold water on a hook... and lights = candles and torches. Then on Monday I hooked up with the Robinson Crusoe yacht for 3 days and 2 nights of sailing around the Yaswas. There were 11 of us on the boat + the crew of 4. On the first day we sailed up to Mantaray Island where we parked for the night and then proceeded to chase mantarays whilst snorkelling - that's us and about 100 other people (poor, poor mantarays). Then on day 2 we visited Mai Island where we spent time in the local village and took part in yet another cava ceremony - these ceremonies involve saying Bula a lot and drink muddy water made from the cava root, and this stuff makes your mouth go a bit numb. Then we went trekking up into the mountains - in flipflops... bad idea! After trekking we should have got back onto our boat but it was looking a bit rough at sea (actually, the boat looked like it was sinking) and when the crew even refused to get back on we figured-out that it was probably safer to take the offer of beds in the village. So that night was more cava, more dancing, more fire, more singing and a lot more Fiji Bitter. So the last day (day 3) our boat sailed through rocky waters back to the South Islands where I jumped ship onto my next island. Beachcomber Island is one of the prettier islands in the group, but I soon discovered that's not why people go there. This island is "the" party island. I found myself marooned on a teenagers fantasy island with 95 under 20s (or that's how old they all seemed act) + me + 2 sets of old biddies. Imagine a dorm room with 100 beds, lots of booze, lots of noise, lots of dancing, lots of singing, lots of very sick people in the mornings (well lunchtime...). But hey guys, you know me, I just took it in my stride. Right Friday, was time to be rescued and taken to Mana Island. The boat from Mana was to pick me up at 11am Fiji time (so I figured, that's about 12.30pm our time). Anyway by 1.30 there was no boat so I got reception to check it out for me and was told the boat was late and I could now expect it at 3pm (Fiji time). Ok 4.30 and no boat, I'd obviously been forgotten about and now Mana Island were not answering the phone. No choice but another night on Beachcomber. However all the dorm beds were taken so my option was the beach or a private Bure on the other side of the island - guess which one I jumped at (peace & quiet, and a hot shower... at last). Saturday - still no Mana boat (I mean this Fiji time stuff is a bloody rubbish concept). So I took the Beachcomber boat back to the "mainland" and Nadi, and stayed here last night drinking whiskey and watching The March of The Penguins at my hostel. Today, I'm going to attempt to get back my $210 (about 60 pounds guys) for my non-appearance on Mana so wish me luck. Then later today I fly out of Fiji. So, where next? Well, that's a bit of surprise. A clue?? OK, let's just say it begins with the letter 'H' and remember, I'm heading for summer. xxxxxxxxx p.s. Fiji photos up as soon as I can get to an Internet Cafe where I can plug-in.