fiji goodbyes

Woke up to Billy asking us to move so they could set up breakfast. We simply moved a few feet and just watched the sea, mesmerized by the waves rolling up the sand. This can't be a real place. 

Spent most of the morning snorkeling. for hours. Crystal clear water this time. Saw a lion fish. And of course I didn't take the camera this time. Ah jeez. 

Jumped off the boat with Chris and George (locals). They're so cute. We laughed and played for forever. Then Erin, Joey, George and I had an underwater dance party. I have no idea how it started butit was so fun.
Swam back to shore in time for one last lunch.  They played music for us again. I freaking love the bass they put together. 

slap a da bass

Seth broke $600. Well done. 

Packed our bags. Exchanged facebook info. Goodbyes are never easy, that's for sure. But at least i'm not going home home just yet.  I'll never for get them. 

they have the biggest feet ever. 

 We all loaded onto the skiffs out to board the ferry back to Nadi. 

Then it was back to Sofitel for one last night before we're off to New Zealand!

tomorrow

fiji village

Awoke to the beat of the drum again. I wish someone would do this for me at home. 

After breakfast, most all of us went to the village back up across the mountain. The path started out the same as yesterday's hike, but then went down and around along the beach. High tide too. Started raining hard again. I can't imagine that kind of commute to and from work every day. 

An hour or so later we finally made it to the village. Us girls covered our knees and shoulders. {all i had for knees were those fish pants we made for dad a long time ago. ridiculous looking.} 

We got a nice walking tour along the sidewalk. 

Sat in on some school classes. 

Gave our $3 donation to the village.  Went to a temporary market where I spent most of my time with these people:

Then walked back to the resort. Luckily, lower tide this time. and no downpours. 

But still quite muddy.

Came back in time for lunch and some more frolicking in the sun! Everyone was tired and hungry.

Laid low this afternoon. Played cards.

Went snorkeling again. –murky this time. But we did see the GIANT clams they've been talking about. They're really huge! and supposedly eat stingrays.

They made dinner underground using the heat of the earth to cook the food. What a feast they  made! 

Watched the beautiful sunset!!

After dinner, they put on a show. Gave me the chills. Some of us up front were invited to join in the song and dance. I had so, so much fun! I'm really going to miss this place and its people. 

But then, the shit show began. Seth's goal was to break $500 on cheap booze. Mission accomplished.

A girl had to be carried off to bed. Was a strange night indeed. But the stars were spectacular!

Some of us slept outside. Dragged our little mattresses and sheets outside and slept in the fresh air. Besides the rats running in the rafters above, it was a beautiful sleep.

Happy Valentine's Day Eve!

the way fiji's supposed to be

Finally, beautiful weather! Slept terribly. woke up with bites all over my hands/arms. The room {we're all in a large dorm room} was so hot. Miserable actually. Early wake up to the beat of a drum.

Erin and I went snorkeling right off the shore. Was really beautiful. {but I dont think as impressive as some of the Bahamian reefs}

Came back to the locals doing a coconut/palm demonstration. Cracked a coconut with their hands. They make it look so easy {especially remembering the effort and time we put into trying to crack coconuts in the bahamas: an all-day affair.}

After lunch we had "island games"– spear throwing and egg toss. Brought back the glory days of backyard games. After some more volleyball, some of us went to climb up the mountain for a sunset hike. We finally found the correct path and it was absolutely breathtaking. 

wrong path. this was the pineapple orchard

 I felt like I was in the Sound of Music or something. The tall dance danced in the wind. Lord of the Rings. straight up. 

katie and erin

 We saw a large storm cloud quickly approaching. I tucked my camera under my shirt, and began to just run back to the huts.  The rain pelted sideways, feeling almost like hail.  I'd run, run and then find a rock to hide behind to catch my breath, then it was back running in the mud downhill.  Luckily I made it in time before dark and before the rain really got to my camera.  

Dinner was delicious. The fish was some of the best food I've ever had. Bread fruit salad. YUM. ––perfect ending to a great day.

fiji time

The rest of the group came in today... there are now like 40 something of us. Pouring rain again. There's a new leader joining us from Sydney, Matt. A bit of a pretentious ass hole.  

We all boarded the ferry down at the wharf. Three hours and lots of vomit later {the storms and high seas led to most of the boat getting sick. smelled like vomit everywhere. gross.} , we ended up at Botaira Resort on some island.  Passed by some of the most unbelievable islands along the way. I'm waiting for a terradactyl to come flying out from behind one of the large mountains.  Jumped off the ferry onto overcrowded skiffs. {i can only imagine what it'd be like crossed the border via janky boats...} We were welcomed with juice and flowers and a delicious lunch. {pineapple here's especially delicious!}

Went swimming. A sea snake swam dangerously close to my face. {only later to find out that those suckers are mighty poisonous.} Some unfortunate people got raped by the sharp coral. Not what I pictured for tropical fijian islands... 

Erin and I went kayaking, taking on the perils of piracy in the high seas.  This place is beautiful even in the rain.  

allison and the outhouse 

People hit the volleyball court with some of the locals. It was a lot of fun.

volleyball. per usual

Melanie and I went for a walk in the low tide all the way to one of the points of the beach. Saw stingrays, lots of crabs, sea stars and all sorts of little critters. The crabs here can jump! 

melanie and her little cucumber friend

bright blue star fish

Had tea time complete with a little live band. The bass they rigged together is so awesome. It's just a string tied to a big wooden box and wooden dowel (pictures will come!). 

Back to the volleyball court. Seth was getting pretty schwasty at this point. Bought a round of beer for everyone on the court.  He's one of a kind–to say the least. 

seth: rock n roll

allison and I got fancy cocktails just cause we could

We all hung out at the bar after a curry dinner. Turned around to find all the 'newbies' gone to bed.  Danced our asses off. Minnie (one of the staff members) convinced us to play some silly drinking game. "Got elevated" on the bar top. Sang along to every song we played. What a night; what a night.

elevatedddd

tomorrow