Fantastically Fanciful Fiji: First Day

  After arriving in the paradise known as Fiji, the sun could be seen starting to peek its head above the horizon to reveal the plethora of optical candies that awaited our retinas for the day.  I at last met Ryan Friesen and Russ Alexander, two of the head coordinators many of our events through Education Abroad.  These two guys are absolutely a blast; they embody humor, responsibility, and a good character.  It's nice being able to chill with two guys that are so personable and admirable.

  The first thing we did in Fiji was to drop off our luggage at this phenomenal 5-star hotel, Sofitel, before we went to the wharf and departed for Naviti Island.  At the wharf we enjoyed some food, and I was fortunate enough to enjoy a Coconut Twist which turned out to be basically a cinnamon roll with a lot of coconut shredded throughout it.  While enjoying my confection our group came across a older Fijian man singing 'Hokey Polkey' and he finally confirmed my skepticism about whether the Hokey Polkey is really what it's all about.  After being serenaded by such deep and meaning full rhythms we departed on the large yellow catamaran named Yasawa.

Island of the Crystal Skull: If you look close enough you can see Harrison Ford

  The journey on Yasawa to Naviti Island was quite an exquisite excursion.  The scenery along the way was, put simply, far beyond any photograph of these areas can ever contain.  We passed a few islands that were the size of small town parks or maybe a city block.  You could see houses and resorts hidden within the mass of vegetation.  Upon approaching each island a small boat would make its way out to intercept our vessel, but only to take passengers who would be staying at the island.  I thought this was a fantastic way of greeting people to the resort that they would be staying.  As opposed to the alternative of throwing them overboard with their luggage and forcing them to swim their way to their paradise.

     Three hours later, after a great many stops for fellow travelers/vacationers, we found ourselves at Naviti Island.  This tropical utopia would be my home for the next 5 days before I would venture back to the Land of the Kiwis.  Upon arrival we were greeted about 2 boats that toted us and our belongings toward the shore (the 1st picture depicts the shoreline of Botaira Resort on Naviti Island).  When we were within a few meters of landing a group of Fijians broke into song giving us all a proper welcome.  Their song consisted of a pleasant blend of voices, guitars, strings, and ukeleles.

      Our group was immediately treated with chilled freshly squeezed orange/papaya drink.  There's nothing like having a cool fruit drink under the blazing Polynesian sun.  The thing I had wanted most though was to jump into the ocean that consisted of colors I have never seen, not even in the 128 count Crayola crayon box!

       Having never swam in the sea before I thought all of those people that said the water is horrible to swallow were just wimps.  I'm here to reaffirm with you that salt water is horrible.  It looks unbelievably beautiful, but it is completely unpalatable.  Regardless, the swim was fantastic and I was given a pleasant first-timer greeting to the ocean by paddling my foot into a piece of coral.  Holy hell does this hurt.  Coral is incredibly gorgeous, but damn can it do a number on your body!

      After the beating from the coral and unpleasant gulps of seawater, it was time to get fed and lay low for the evening.  Dinner came around and we were treated with cooked fish with some nice vegetables and bread.  This is one of those meals that I could probably eat every single day of my life and there would be no complaints.  Thank you Botaira Resort for this incredible meal, and the many more there are to come!

Fiji, you are more than I dreamed imaginable.  Good night.

Finding Time for Fiji

Hello all!

      Well let me first say that I am so glad to have found time to sit down and etch out a few of the things I've done the last week!  I started off this entire excursion with roughly 17 hours of flying and 7 hours in airports.  I lucked out and was able to see my college friend, Meshri, at the Minneapolis airport before I left.  It felt great to see him again before I left for the several months I will be gone.

     On the flight to California I had the incredible fortune of sitting next to Gloria from Texas and her 2 year old granddaughter Catherine, who had copious amounts of hair for a girl her age.  The flight with these two was filled with energy along with a book, Love You Forever, that I had just read to my own 18 month nephew, Brayden.  This book ought to be a requirement for all parents.  It was also good to talk to Gloria, after Catherine rather abruptly collapsed into a deep imperturbable sleep, and receive support from her about the long adventure I have ahead of me.

     California to Fiji was a quite lengthy flight, but I was able to meet the 3 amigos joining me from the States in Massey University at Palmerston North.  They are: Caitlin from Massachusetts, Kristen from Kentucky, and Travis from Texas (Too bad Caitlin was Morgan or something for even another alliteration).  Quite a range of personality and characters between all of us and I look forward to the many days that will be spent with this crew!

   After the 10.5 hour flight to Fiji we arrived at the airport with several natives singing songs that invoked the word 'Bula' (a Fijian greeting) with great abundance.  It was very early in the morning when we arrived there so we were just able to see the bold and blossoming colors that the new day's sun revealed.  At last I had made it to the paradise referred to so frequently by people back home, YES!  Thanks for reading, when I have time and strength I will post about the days in Fiji!!!