Bula Vinaka!
Bula Vinaka my friends.
We've come back to the frigid temperatures of Canterbury from our family trip to Fiji. Six glorious nights of tropical weather, unlimited food and booze, cultural activities and family time.
I wrote a little something in my head on our last day here, as I relaxed in the afternoon. You don't have to read it - it's more for my own sake, to remember our trip by. There are a few pics below it to check out though - I've had a few people ask about pics already.
xxx
T
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I'm lying down, recently awake from my mid afternoon nap, with Caity in my arms. Her skin, full of youth, has some recently acquired tan. Her long black lashes flutter as she dreams, her hair a tangle of blond around her face. Next to us is Taryn, gently snoring, arms flung wide as if awaiting a hug. She awakes occasionally, asks about going back to the pool then falls back into slumber. They are in their swimsuits, damp still from the dip in the pool earlier. Our girls have made friends, seeking them out when we arrive at the pool or at kids club.
Phil is across from me, comfortable on the bed, reading and enjoying the air conditioning. I can hear the roar of the Pacific outside and smell the tea tree from our bug spray. I'm celebrating reaching my birthday again. Thirty two years so far. Hopefully I get a few more under my belt. It will be a quiet celebration today, as we have a four am shuttle back to the airport in the morning. Tonight we'll dine without the kids and away from the activities and families that are at the Nukunuku lounge. We have a booking at the quiet, fancier restaurant that has multiple sets of cutlery on the table and a background singer with an amazing voice, accompanied by an acoustic guitar.
I chuckle as I hear Jimmy, a local who works at the resort, yelling his trade-mark "What are you doing!" at someone, followed by his childlike laughter. We'll take this saying home with us. A vocal souvenir.
We enjoyed a relaxing massage at the resort earlier in the day, some white rum and pineapples at the pool bar, and a walk on the beach to the huts at the far end, filled with a range of merchandise for us to buy, and offering hair braiding and massages on rickety tables in a back room. These huts are filled with hot humid air, have uneven floors with make-shift coverings, and the occasional giant bug or miscellaneous crap falling from the ceiling. I can't help but feel appreciative that our massage is in the tourist area. The poverty in the area is overwhelming, and this isn't even a poor part of Fiji. The state of the dogs ranging around freely makes me nauseous. Some, painfully thin, some dead already, one dragging it's body off the road after it's been hit. Another casualty of fast driving on the thin pothole ridden roads.
There are make-shift stalls spread out occasionally on the road. All selling sila - hot corn. The houses are mere shacks with either slat windows that are wide open - natures air conditioning, or boarded up with ply wood. Still, you are greeted with a massive smile and a wave and a BULA! where ever you go. I've never felt so welcome in another country before. They certainly know how to treat guests.
I'd love to see more of Fiji. More of the islands, the white sand, the locals. I'd like to spend more time in the tropical heat, and experience more of what she has to offer. This trip we participated in a Kava ceremony, ate kokoda, and made good use of the free drinks and the swim-up bar and the friendly staff who remembered what you were having and had it ready before you finished your last glass. I held a small boa constrictor, felt the powerful muscles move and bunch as it slowly worked it's way around your arms. We made friends, relaxed and read while enjoying a stunning view, walked along the beach crab spotting (hundreds of the buggers!!) and even danced the macarana.
We had an awesome time and created many lasting memories.
Here's to more holidays!!!!
**********************************************************************************************************
We've come back to the frigid temperatures of Canterbury from our family trip to Fiji. Six glorious nights of tropical weather, unlimited food and booze, cultural activities and family time.
I wrote a little something in my head on our last day here, as I relaxed in the afternoon. You don't have to read it - it's more for my own sake, to remember our trip by. There are a few pics below it to check out though - I've had a few people ask about pics already.
xxx
T
***********************************************************************************************************
I'm lying down, recently awake from my mid afternoon nap, with Caity in my arms. Her skin, full of youth, has some recently acquired tan. Her long black lashes flutter as she dreams, her hair a tangle of blond around her face. Next to us is Taryn, gently snoring, arms flung wide as if awaiting a hug. She awakes occasionally, asks about going back to the pool then falls back into slumber. They are in their swimsuits, damp still from the dip in the pool earlier. Our girls have made friends, seeking them out when we arrive at the pool or at kids club.
Phil is across from me, comfortable on the bed, reading and enjoying the air conditioning. I can hear the roar of the Pacific outside and smell the tea tree from our bug spray. I'm celebrating reaching my birthday again. Thirty two years so far. Hopefully I get a few more under my belt. It will be a quiet celebration today, as we have a four am shuttle back to the airport in the morning. Tonight we'll dine without the kids and away from the activities and families that are at the Nukunuku lounge. We have a booking at the quiet, fancier restaurant that has multiple sets of cutlery on the table and a background singer with an amazing voice, accompanied by an acoustic guitar.
I chuckle as I hear Jimmy, a local who works at the resort, yelling his trade-mark "What are you doing!" at someone, followed by his childlike laughter. We'll take this saying home with us. A vocal souvenir.
We enjoyed a relaxing massage at the resort earlier in the day, some white rum and pineapples at the pool bar, and a walk on the beach to the huts at the far end, filled with a range of merchandise for us to buy, and offering hair braiding and massages on rickety tables in a back room. These huts are filled with hot humid air, have uneven floors with make-shift coverings, and the occasional giant bug or miscellaneous crap falling from the ceiling. I can't help but feel appreciative that our massage is in the tourist area. The poverty in the area is overwhelming, and this isn't even a poor part of Fiji. The state of the dogs ranging around freely makes me nauseous. Some, painfully thin, some dead already, one dragging it's body off the road after it's been hit. Another casualty of fast driving on the thin pothole ridden roads.
There are make-shift stalls spread out occasionally on the road. All selling sila - hot corn. The houses are mere shacks with either slat windows that are wide open - natures air conditioning, or boarded up with ply wood. Still, you are greeted with a massive smile and a wave and a BULA! where ever you go. I've never felt so welcome in another country before. They certainly know how to treat guests.
I'd love to see more of Fiji. More of the islands, the white sand, the locals. I'd like to spend more time in the tropical heat, and experience more of what she has to offer. This trip we participated in a Kava ceremony, ate kokoda, and made good use of the free drinks and the swim-up bar and the friendly staff who remembered what you were having and had it ready before you finished your last glass. I held a small boa constrictor, felt the powerful muscles move and bunch as it slowly worked it's way around your arms. We made friends, relaxed and read while enjoying a stunning view, walked along the beach crab spotting (hundreds of the buggers!!) and even danced the macarana.
We had an awesome time and created many lasting memories.
Here's to more holidays!!!!
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