When I left New Zealand I had no idea what to expect on the next stop on my country hopping journey, Fiji.

From Jason’s very succinct account a few weeks prior I knew that Fiji offered a different outlook on life from the western world, the country had extreme beauty and the people lived at their own pace - Fiji time - but other than that I knew nothing, not even where the islands were on a map.

Now for those just as geographically ignorant as me, The Republic of the Fiji Islands are located in the south pacific and consist of 322 islands of which 106 are inhabited and the rest, 522, are islets (landform of rocks).

On arrival I was immediately greeted with a crescendo of ‘Bula’s’ - hello to you and I English speaking folk. I quickly began to appreciate how friendly these people were. Smiles etched across their faces; the people looked happy, super relaxed and incredibly healthy individuals.

Now for a country that has winter temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius and summer temperatures that can rise to 45, I was amazed to see how green the country was. Yes, they get a lot of rain during the monsoon season but nevertheless on the flight in and the drive to my resort, this place was blessed with rainforest galore. Simply stunning (there’s that word again!)

I spent my first too nights in Nadi, the home of the countries only international airport on the ‘main island’ of Viti Levu. I decided to spend my day like the other tourists and the locals - chilling in the pool, reading my book on the beach, taking a quiet snooze in a hammock and then listening to the local entertainment at night which consisted of a few dances, namely the ‘Bula Dance’, and the drinking of the local ‘home brew’, Kava. More about that in a minute.

My next five days were spent on two of the Yasawa Islands in the west of the country. My first stop - Manta Ray Resort. Now, I cannot explain how beautiful this place is. Palm trees galore, accommodation right on the beach, an ocean with clearer visibility than you get when looking through a bottle of mineral water and a great beach. Now my days were spent doing nothing, except chilling, chatting and more chilling. Fiji time people . . . and I loved it. My nights came alive. Cocktails galore, dancing, singing and games aplenty.

After three days on Manta Ray I decided to move on before I permanently purchased a room there and never left. Not a bad thing but it was a little difficult getting the Tottenham score from here, so not quite paradise, as I am sure you will understand.

Next it was the island of Waya Lai Lai. Yet again a stunning resort, with this island owned and run by the local village. Yes, that meant my first official Kava ceremony. Now, first things first, Kava is not a drug, is perfectly legal although it does make you very tired after several cups. I never had several cups, I might add since the taste is, how can I put this, one to be desired. Kava is an ancient crop that is ground down into a fine powder and then mixed with water to make the traditional beverage. Fijians take this ritual very seriously so more out of respect than desire I decided to join in. Seriously, this stuff is not enjoyable and I drink most things!

So, after clapping your hands once, shouting out ‘Bula’, you knock back the coconut cup of Kava before everyone, including you, claps their hands again three more times and shouts of “Vinaka’ - thank you - are bellowed from all around. This continues until all of the Kava out of the large bowl is empty. Nice.

Now Waya Lai Lai meant much of the same for me as it did on Manta Ray. Fiji time. I really think this needs to be spread worldwide. I shall be trying when I get back to London. First stop, outside Leicester Square station with a hammock suspended between McDonalds and Subway and cries of Fiji time coming from my mouth. See you there?

Now after a rather busy few days on the island I decided to return to the mainland and begin a four day tour of Viti Levu with the Feejee Experience crew, to complete my hat-trick of travel with the ‘Ex’ group after similar tours in OZ and New Zealand.

Prior to departure I read that the Feejee Ex was for ‘the adrelin junkie’. Me? Scared of heights, cannot swim, prefers sitting in a deck chair to jumping out of a plane. Ideal I thought. Just for me. So off I go.

Well, off I go is what I thought. I had been living on Fiji time for so long I thought that the day of departure was Wednesday at 8.30 in the morning and I was ready a full 12 hours before in my hostel in Nadi. Yes, I was right departure was Wednesday at 8.30 in the morning except I arrived back in Nadi not on the Tuesday evening as I thought but, yes, Wednesday evening. Damn. Next bus leaves Friday. Bigger damn, I fly to Hawaii Sunday. Damn no Feejee Ex bus.

Fear not. This is Fiji - the home of the friendliest, most accommodating and helpful people on this planet. So, off I go at 8.30 in the evening on Wednesday, still in my swim shorts covered in sand from the islands by private bus to catch up with the bus at their first overnight stop. Sweeeeeeeeet!

I arrive to see my fellow bus buddies sitting by a fire, chilling, relaxing and singing. I quickly fit in.

Now over the next three days I really had, once more, the time of my life. The 30 or so of us on the bus got on so well and the days events, action packed as they were, ended with a great evenings fun fully organised by the Feejee Ex bus crew.

I hiked through a rainforest in 30 degree plus heat in Mango Bay, went tubing down a river, dived into the same river from a waterfall above, went bamboo rafting n Voli Voli, attended another Kava ceremony just outside the Fijian capital Suva, visited a local orphanage outside Nadi, went to a mud pool and bathed in a hot spring. What a few days. Words cannot describe the satisfation so I will leave the photos to tell the story.

Wow.

Now, do not be mistaken, I really did enjoy the Oz Experience and the Kiwi Experience immensely but the Feejee Exp, in terms of activities, value for money and a unique experience, won hands down. It is fair to say I had one hell of a time and I really did experience the real Fiji as all the places we visited were well off of the tourist track. Immense fun, immense pleasure and an immense time. What a way to end my Fiji trip.

I am now in Hawaii. Very beautiful but also very busy. Fellow tourists galore and lots of big, posh hotels. The weather is fantastic though and the beach is a minute around the corner. My life is hard at the moment.

Today I visited Pearl Harbour, the site where the US war ship, the USS Arizona, was sunk by the Japanese in 1941. Very moving but very interesting to see. Tomorrow I head to Northshore for the day for more beach life before flying to New York, via a 6 hour stopover in LA, this Sunday.

Back to my life of palm trees, Starbucks, The Hilton, Burger King, American tourists and the beach.

Take care,

Jay

Footnote: The photos link on the homepage has gone walkies. So for the time being you will have to type in the full URL. www.triproast.com/zenphoto

Our site moderator has been notified but it may take a while as I beleive that this individual may be on Fiji time at the moment.

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at 3:52 am and is filed under On the move, Fiji, Hawaii. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.