Bula! Coral Coast, Fiji

 

How am I supposed to put this trip into words? I cannot describe how truly amazing it was. Friday, the 23rd, was my last day of class before the mid-session recess (more like 2/3 through the session recess). When I finished my exam, I came home, took a nap, began packing, watched some footy with the gang, and then finished packing late that night. I was feeling kind of nervous about the trip, REALLY hoping it would be worth the money we spent. We booked through a travel agent and all of a sudden about a month ago she was like "if you are going to book, you need to book today" so we did it!

Andrew drove us to the airport early Saturday morning (THANK YOU!!) and then we were off. When we landed in Fiji in the early evening, we were greeted by singers singing "Bula, Bula," Fijian for hello and were given shell necklaces. The workers were all so nice. Each one greeted us with a smile and a "Bula!" It was refreshing to be in such a tiny airport where people weren't so up tight. We met our airport transfer (arranged by the travel agent) who drove us to our destination. The country seemed quite poor-- houses built from concrete and sheet metal, yet the area was still beautiful.

When we arrived at the Fiji Hideaway Resort, we checked in, were given a rundown of what was included in our package, and then were taken to our ocean view bure where a fruit plate and fruit smoothies were waiting for us. It was incredible. I had no idea we would be in a little house right next to the ocean. After that, we just chilled until dinner, enjoying the view. Every evening at 6:00, the torches were lit and there was a giant torch in the pool. Sunset was soon after and was so beautiful. We had dinner, which included three courses-- sooo good! 2 course lunches and brekkie was also included with our package as well as drinks at any time. Everything was very well presented and had some sort of fruit garnish with it. There were also singers at every meal who sounded really good, and then there was some sort of entertainment afterwards.

On Sunday, we slept in and then went reef walking. It was such a new experience and we saw a lot of neat things. I got a lot of use out of the waterproof camera case my parents got me for my birthday!! We then came in for lunch (an Aussie barbie that day), explored the resort, and then laid by the pool for a while. That evening, after dinner, there were Fijian dancers doing different dances from all over the world. 

Monday, we actually woke up in time for breakfast (had to get our moneys worth!!). It was a feast of a buffet. Every kind of breakfast food you could think of. We went reef walking again for quite a long time (got a little burnt!). We walked all the way out to the edge of the reef. Instead of crashing at the shore, the waves crash at the edge of the reef. The coral there was really pretty. We came back in time for lunch--helloooo banana split-- and waited around by the pool for high tide so we could go snorkeling. Snorkeling was awesome!! It was crazy to see how everything changed from low tide to high tide. We hadn't seen many fish during low tide but there were TONS that came in with the high tide. I knew some would come into the reef but I didn't realize that many would.

Tuesday morning it rained for a little while. It was probably a good thing as our skin needed a break from the sun. Later we were able to explore the reef a little more and go snorkeling. Sturr lost his snorkel tube because he couldn't be restricted from diving lower. He had it so close to shore, then couldn't find it once he realized it was gone! Ha it was funny for me to watch :) The water was a little cold but the rain seemed to bring so many more fish to the reef; so worth it. After dinner there was a Fijian singing and dancing group. They did a variety of sitting and standing dances, and I really enjoyed it. Sturr had steak & prawns for the millionth time this trip; he couldn't help but get it. Sometimes I got it too and would give him my extra prawns.

Wednesday was our last full day. We went reef walking and snorkeling again and just enjoyed being outside in the gorgeous weather. It was sad knowing we would have to leave Thursday afternoon; we had such an amazing and relaxing time. 

The next day, we were picked up and driven to the airport. We bought some souvenirs and some lunch then waited for our plane. We arrived back in Sydney in the evening where Andrew picked us up and we began our journey to the Outback (next post).

The Fijian people we came across were so nice. It was nice to have a relaxing holiday were we weren't always on the move. I am so glad we took advantage of the opportunity to go there because who knows if we will ever be back to this part of the world again. 

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain