Life Down Undaaah.: Our Last and Final Stop: Fiji

A year has passed, and I realized I never updated from our "layover" from Brisbane to L.A. -- four days on Mantaray Island, Fiji.

Since it was nine months ago, this should be more of a reflection, perse, than an actual occurrence of events --- I'm bound to forget some things.

But I do remember traveling there. Leaving our apartment in Central Park, Amy & I were both sad & excited simultaneously. I still remember the sound of our apartment door---the all blue front #55---shutting for the final time. It was dark as we dragged our life that we managed to pack in two overly-stuffed bags up a few stairs to the front of our apartment complex. Minus two girls, we were the last to leave. The airport transport passed Robina Town Centre for the last time, which for some reason looked different to me, although we shopped there on a weekly basis. We managed to get through the airport lines with minimal difficulty, and after exchanging the last of our Australia dollars for Fijian money, we waited at our gate (eating one last cadberry chocolate bar -- I still haven't been able to eat any since I left). The plane to Fiji was only about 4 hours, but it was a red-eye, & we lost hours due to the time difference. So we arrived in the airport around 6am, waited around for our transport at a shady bus stop while trucks passed filled with 20-30 people (Nadi, the main island, is not exactly known for its economical success). An unmarked bus pulled over, and on a hunch, Amy & I got on, hoping it was the right one.

We made our way to a huge catamaran, which travels a straight route. It's really a neat system: they stop what seems to be in the middle of the ocean, and a little motor boat is waiting to take the few people to an island. It really was a gorgeous ride---if Amy & I were awake for it. We were so jet lagged that we both passed out and almost missed our stop.

Amy & I (we were the only two getting off at this island) boarded the motor boat (made of tin) and made our way to Mantaray. The island is so small that a maximum of 30 people stay in the hostel...although when we were there, it ranged from 12-22. As we pulled into shore, the employees of the resort welcomed us with a song, in which we replied "Bula!" at the end.

Before we even stepped foot on the island, we saw six of the kids from Bond that had been there a few days (that's how small this island was). After we settled in to our bunks (and our beds with bug nets), Amy & I went down to the beach to relax...instead, we snorkeled for two hours.

Our bunks covered with bug nets. If you didn't take advantage of them, you were eaten alive.

The water. Yes, that's ocean water. Yes, it's so clear you can see the coral as far as you can swim.

After we climbed a million stairs, we get to the dining area, which had great views of the island. Breakfast was served at 8am, lunch at 1pm, and dinner at 6pm. If you didn't eat during these three hours, you didn't eat that day.

One of our many feasts. This may have been lunch or dinner, since whatever we had for lunch, we typically had for dinner as well.

You can say we basically took over the island by the end of the week.

The first night there, we were so tired that we had a few drinks and went to bed. The next day, Amy & I took a twenty minute motor boat ride to the village that (basically) all the employees grew up in. It was primitive, but it was gorgeous.

Some of the views on the ride over.

The island adjacent to Mantaray.

Captain Meow guided us through his village.

Coming up to the Village of Soso.

Communal area.

Entrance to the school.

This was their school...5th grade section.

Obey the rules!

School yard...Track.

The village church.

Inside.

Curious Fijian kids.

Possibly the greatest kids on earth.

Amy & I reading to 5th graders.

On the way back, Meow picked up some fresh popo (that was amazing).

On the way back, we ran into this HUUUGE sailboat.

Bye to the village of Soso!

After we returned, we did some more snorkeling, relaxing, and waited until it was time to shower (because of a water shortage, we couldn't shower until 5pm). That night, we participated in what is known as the "cava ceremony" -- it's basically a root mixed in water that made our mouths go numb.

Beach boys

Drinking boys

Cava ceremony led by ApEEE!

Cava circle

Jennings was the "chief" --- so he had to drink first, and the most.

Trev's routin' for ames. Jess like a champ.

Nicole was a fan. Me, not so much.

Trev was an addict by the end.

Then the night continued with traditional Fijian dances, a few drinks, and a midnight bonfire.

Men & Women dances after dinner

And it ended in a train .... Girls with our girly drinks

Boys, with their girly drinks? ... Tough guy Eric takes a stand with his Fijian GOLD.

Toohey (the island pet) wants in! ... Our failing bonfire

On the beach late night

The following day, we went on a fishing trip. After about a fifteen minute ride out in the ocean, they gave us our fishing equipment: a thirty foot wire wound around a plastic ring with a small hook attached to the end. We each got a small amount of bait, and we were told to drop it down into the water. We didn't really expect to catch much. Little did we know...

Boss with the biggest catch! ... Me with the first guy

Jennings & Trev ... he got voted most awkward

Empty hooks :(

After we got back from the fishing trip, we took another snorkeling adventure, and a few other kids went scuba diving. We had one of our last nights together, so we took a short hike to see the sunset...that was part of the beauty of an island. You can see both the sunrise in the morning and the sunset in the evening over the ocean with only a short walk.