Bula! I am back in civilisation! For one night at least... I got to Fiji last Wednesday (I think, the days have kind of blurred into one) and spent three nights at the hostel in Nadi. Nothing much was achieved - a bit of reading, a bit of lying in around the pool but in the shade due to my fragile skin and dislike of baking. I did venture into Nadi town centre on the most unsafe bus I have ever been on. At least the air con wsa great - i.e. no windows!!! I held on for all my life. I suppose it did only cost about 20pence. And I saw a nice temple but couldn't go in as my shoulders and knees weren't covered. Last Saturday I headed up to the Yasawa Islands, more specifically Coral View Resort. It took five hours on the ferry to get there but it was worth it. They greeted us with a nice (non alcoholic) drink and lunch which was a cold buffet affair with numerous cold meats - i have no idea what half of them were. After some obvious difficulty locating my booking, although they denied this, i was shown to my dorm. Twelve beds but surprisingly spacious and i was in a new one which meant no need for mossie nets and toilets and showers inside. A luxury. I spent four nights here enjoying the views and the hammocks! On the Sunday I went to visit a village and had a tour round and got told how the Chief runs everything and basically does nothing before they took us to the church service which was in Fijian but the singing was excellent.
On Wednesday I ventured to Manta Ray Island. This place was AMAZING! Exactly what you imagine for a tropical paradise. Even the 34 bed dorm could not ruin it. They were quite clever and split it into groups of four and the windows opened really really wide so it wasn't at all hot at night. The food was incredible and there was so much of it! And the hammocks again. A strange thing happened in that I met a girl who do Geography at Manchester in the year above me and also went to Japan so that was nice. It was a good group of people on Manta Ray, everyone was very friendly. At all the islands they sing when you arrive and leave and last night on Manta Ray a load of people from a local village came and did singing and dancing and didn't even ask for money which made it even better!
i got a bit cocky the other night, feeling quite proud I had avoided major insect bites then yesterday whilst relaxing in my hammock, which by the way aren't particularly easy to get in or out of especially with my lack of balance/grace, I was what can only be described as assaulted by some creature which has left me with an oversized left hand which is killing me and a massive bite on the back of my right thigh which looks highly attractive. At least I can have a hot shower tonight. Although the showers at Manta Ray were cold they lacked a ceiling so you could look up which was nice until I saw a massive fruit bat!
So one night here in Nadi then off to the Beach House for two nights then it is back Down Under (although I suppose I still am downunder but you know what I mean). Melbourne here I come! And although getting a job is number one priority I think some time out will be needed to visit the Neighbours set and hopefully meet Susan and Karl. Meeting Susan and Karl is definitely hitting the jackpot as far as the Neighbours tour goes (for any of you that watch it Dr Darcy is still hanging around pretending people actually want to meet him still!
This is where I have been/am going
http://www.pacific-resorts.com/Fiji/coral-view-resort/index.html
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