Paradise or what!

Finding Nemo?

08.09.2009 - 13.09.2009 36 °C
View Credit Crunch Escape on vin.pri's travel map.

After spending the day in Latouka (a city on the mainland), walking around getting used to seeing Indians everywhere, we spent our first night in Fiji with Jong - our host. He takes us out to dinner at Denarau Island which is probably the most exclusive part of Fiji (an island built purely for ex-pats - very exclusive and very much like Disneyland!) Not one Fijian is to be seen - just Australians. He drives us around Nadi to show us the sites and we then end up back at his - where we spend the rest of the evening having good conversation and lots of laughter over a chilled bottle of wine.

We check out the next day and say our goodbyes to Jong. We agree to keep in touch and even meet up in Melbourne in a months time and leave knowing we have left one of the most genuinely nice people we have ever met and head to Mana Island by jet.

The next few days are pure bliss!

We check into Ratu Kini - a backpacker and dive resort on what is probably the most beautiful island we have ever seen (yes - maybe even better than our honeymoon!). The pictures we’ve taken don’t do it any justice….

The water is crystal clear turquoise and warm, the sand is pure white and the people (both locals and fellow backpackers) are amazing. We spend our days lazing around on the beach, snorkling, chatting to everyone about where they’ve been, where they’re going and ultimately loving this new backpacker lifestyle.

We manage to go diving which is amazing - amongst the thousands of fishies and amazing coral life - 3 sharks and a huge turtle!!!! (apparently not bad for a first dive J)

Of course everything is going according to the new island moto: “Fiji time” and so we don’t really get up anything much. We make some amazing friends after only 3 nights on the island and it’s almost predictable when we decide to extend our stay for another night.

It’s sad when we leave - especially when they decide to serenade us as we leave.

We’re back in Nadi on the mainland at a hostel for the night as we fly out tomorrow and head west again. Thinking back it’s been an amazing week. Next stop is Auckland, New Zealand… wonder what adventures we‘ll have there…(oh and the temperature is supposed to drop significantly so that should be fun….)…..

Posted by vin.pri 20.09.2009 02:36 Archived in Fiji