I figure that you can’t “do the world” if you don’t go “down under” so I set off on my journey September 17 and will not be back to the “burg” until November 13–on my way–with a carry on bag. I packed very strategically since I will probably have many weather/climate changes. Anth dropped me off at PIT and promises to water my plants.
The first thing I learned is that it is not easy to get here. I will end my adventures in Sydney so I decided to make that city the main to and from destination. This meant that to get to my first country – Fiji- I had to go backwards from Sydney and fly a few more hours. Ugh!! 25 hours in planes with the longest leg being LAX to Sydney – 15 hours. Needless to say I really felt like Alice in Wonderland – down the rabbit hole – when I arrived at my hotel in Nada, the capital of the Fiji island chain and referred to as the “mainland”.
Fiji:
The excursion I choose for Fiji included transportation and accommodations but I would be on my own and pay for everything with vouchers that were provided to me. I spent two nights at Smugglers Cove Hotel on Nada but those days are pretty much a blur. I think I slept most of the time and only ventured out of my room to the pretty little beach and restaurant.
The first night I tried the local fish dish: Kokomo. This is Pacific fish in a coconut cream and lime marinade. It was delicious and went great with a “Sneak to the Beach” cocktail .
I had Spanish Mackerel the next night and started with pumpkin soup. It was tasty with a nice presentation.
The dollar is strong in all three countries with good exchange rates.
In Fiji I have found that food is comparable in cost to home but drinks are expensive. At the Blue Lagoon Resort in the islands a Pina Colada cost $28 Fiji – about $14 US-don’t need to worry about excessive drinking. I haven’t found the Kava yet – a local intoxicating drink that is rumored to taste like dish water. A fellow on my ferry told me that when you imbibe “your lips go numb and then you go to cloud 9”.
On my last night in Nada I had a great deep tissue massage and it was a reasonable $70 Fiji for one hour. It helped with my very sore muscles and I made a reservation for another for when I get back from hoping around the islands.
I made my way north on a passenger ferry that would take 4 hours ($200 Fiji) to get to Nacula and the Blue Lagoon Resort. It took that long because we made multiple stops for drop offs and pick ups along the way. A “long boat” would come out from shore for the travellers and the luggage.
I have my own little villa/bungalow complete with cushioned couch on my front porch and hammock for relaxing.
I am living pretty darn large with my outdoor shower and some pretty nice sunset views. The little villa has everything EXCEPT a TV, Radio, clock, air con (which you don’t need) or phone……I am on Fiji time!
Having regained some strength and enthusiasm I signed up for a fishing trip. Funny thing was we didn’t use a rod and reel–we went line fishing. The line is wrapped around a plastic ring and we loaded the hook with bait and just dropped it in the sea.
I didn’t have any luck but the “catch of the day ” was this pink grouper.
I have to decided if I am going to go swimming in the Blue Lagoon Cave tomorrow morning before leaving for the next island. I pretty much had my fill of caves in Southeast Asia but I’ll keep you posted. The rest of today is dedicated to quality beach chilling.
Barb Does The World 