Long flights suck, and I slept especially poorly on this one. However, I did get to watch Blackberry (hilarious, I highly recommend it) and I learned from another passenger that I can rent all the tramping gear I need for the great walks in NZ.
Landing in Fiji and getting a bus ride to my hostel was so easy, and we were welcomed to customs with a Fijian band singing and playing ukuleles. After grabbing another coffee, I just barely made it to the express bus and ran on with much excitement for the ride. We travelled down the Queens Road, passing by Nadi and lots of Indian temples, churches, farms, rolling hills and lush forests. It reminded me of a jungly Cuba, and there were lots of cows munching on grasses in the drainage ditches. At one of the bus stops, I watched a woman embrace a young man that jumped off the bus, and it was just so heartwarming to see how much they missed and loved each other.
I made it to the hostel, carrying my bag past a small store and down a concrete track to reach reception and the blue waves in the distance. I was nervous about arriving so early in the day at only 9:30, but I checked in no problem, changed into swim trunks, and showed down on the free breakfast.
I then hung out while waiting for my bed and just enjoyed the scenery. It took some time to crack my way into a social circle, but because of some kind locals that bought everyone drinks, I was soon a part of a big table of travellers! Everyone got talking and the vibes were spot on. We drank espresso martinis, and tried Palz vodka sodas and Fijian Gold beer till late.
The next day I enjoyed my coffee by the ocean before going on a jungle trek up river to a waterfall. About halfway I realised it was my first time truly being in a jungle, and it was so freaking cool to have that experience! The waterfall was alright, but it was a perfect excuse to go for a dip and to enjoy being in the middle of the forest. Our shoes got pretty muddy on the way back down, especially with a few slips and tumbles. We joined our guide at his village, where we drank kava, made from a root that is grown for the mildly intoxicating feeling it gives you. We shared three cups with our hosts, but on a good night the Fijians would drink it all afternoon and all through the night!
My new friend Theo from Toronto and I got to speak with the Chief for quite a while as we enjoyed the kava, and we told him about snow, our tattoos, and why we came to Fiji. And he told us all about learning the Canadian Prime Ministers while he was in school, and generally about their relaxed, island lifestyle. The coolest thing I learned is how Fijian villages prefer to deal with crime through their own people instead of bringing problems to the police. If appropriate, they will hit the accused with a stick as physical punishment for a first offence, but will send essentially exile them if they do it again.
We had such a great time visiting and learning, and got back well after lunch. Burgers and naps were had, and the night ended with a lot of drinks and games before turning in.
Mid-trip now, and Alexa wanted to check out a local grocery store for some “better” breakfast food. After a morning yoga practice overlooking the ocean we walked out to the main road and held out our hands (it’s apparently a different hand signal than in Canada to hitchhike) and got to say goodbye to our American friends Palmer and Michael as they waited for the bus.
Just a few minutes later, Mitchell and the yachters (they all quit working on a million-dollar boat to travel) drove up and put the two of us in the flatbed for a rip down to the store! Unfortunately, the store didn’t have anything for Alexa and we needed to keep going. I stuck out my hand and a few minutes later, Uli from the jungle trek slowed down and picked us up! She is working in Fiji and had driven down to the resort with her friend and was on her way home! We got to the grocery store and nabbed some fruit, cookies and chips and grabbed lunch in an American Diner that serviced the surrounding resorts. We also stepped out onto this beautiful pier (the railings definitely did not meet the Ontario Building Code) and grabbed some fresh pineapple as a final treat before going home.
This time, we actually got a stranger to pick us up! The two kiwis (one an American expat) were so kind and loved hearing our stories and shared their many trips with us. We got back with plenty of time for sunset beers and shared a bottle of wine with the yachters after dinner.
Second last day now, and it was a great day for more yoga and to max relax in the sun with Frankie and Becca, despite the horrible sunburn that I got. I had a great hang with Leo and Alexa over breakfast, and the sun was out all day. We went for a walk out to the barge and the waters were crystal clear during low tide. We took a lot of photos and just soaked up the vibes. I horribly stubbed my toe, but nothing could bring us down! We all napped and chilled before dinner and a few drinks, and took it easy before an exciting last day.
In the morning we got picked up by our friend Mitchell, a Fijian that likes to visit and meet the travellers at the hostel. He drove us off in his pickup truck, and we stopped at the coolest lookout before moving on to a village, walking through it to the bay and dragging Mitchell’s boat out to the water. Unfortunately, we had a lot of motor troubles and it took about 5 tries and an hour to reach the reef, but the trip was totally worth it for the crystal clear waters and the beautiful fish darting through the coral. As Bec would say, “this is such a vibe”.
The motor troubles persisted on our way back, but between our Deck Hand JJ, the other strapping young men and some flippers, we managed to either use the engine or drag the boat all the way back to shore! On our way through the village, Mitchell’s family members brought out some homemade popsicles for us, and they were bright pink with a strong, milky and fruity taste. We waved goodbye and got back in the truck to our hostel.
That afternoon, I made an audible and decided to not stay my last night and to suffer my two hour ride back to Nadi during the day on a bus instead of at night in a hired car. Alexa and I packed up and said our goodbyes, which were really hard because of how wonderful everyone was. JJ, Leo, Theo, Bec, Frankie, Alexa, Mitchell, Jeff, Palmer, Michael, Anne, Uli, the local lads that bought us drinks my first night, Nox the tour guide, and Lucy the bartender all made my trip so much better than it ever could have been without them!
Fiji is by far the greatest island nation that I’ve ever visited. Cannot wait to go back soon!