South Sea Island

30th September 2010

MP3 track of the day: Clint Eastwood - Gorillaz

Weather: Hot, really hot with no cloud cover and no breeze

Waking up intermittently throughout the night I eventually got up around 6am. I checked myself to find that only my left ankle could be a possible candidate for a'bed bugs night feast' … I felt I got off lightly and was glad that this was my night over there.

I had an hour before breakfast and so I got ready and then walked around this tiny island taking photos. Once breakfast was called we all gathered and shared our bed bug stories … none of the others reported any bites so all was good.

I lazed around for the day feeling ready to leave the beaches and head back to the mainland. I was leaving on the 12:30 boat which, instead of taking 30 minutes to get to the mainland, takes 2hrs 30mins as it goes around the Mamanucas islands before getting back to the mainland. As I hadn't really traveled around these islands (only the Yawasa islands) I thought this might be a nice thing to finish off with.

One good thing about South Sea Resort is that they have this kind of submarine ride which takes 20 minutes and it's free. At 10am I went on this; you get on a small power boat which then transfers you to the submarine … which is actually a boat with a viewing deck below the water. This was a great way to see the fish and the reefs, especially today as it's so hot and with no cloud cover I was worried of getting burnt if I went snorkeling. The trip was okay, it was pretty short but the most disappointing thing is that you just feel like you're in an aquarium, this was no substitute to the snorkeling I did at Mango Bay.

After this I got back on the island, packed my bags and got ready for lunch before taking the catamaran back to the mainland at 12:30. Oh one thing I forgot to mention was that because this island is so close to the Fijian mainland there were lots (and lots) of day trippers coming to have a look around. This made the queue's for the lunch meal huge and, as the time was 12:00, I was worried about actually being able to get any food before I had to go.

Not only did I get food but a group of villagers from a nearby village were also over for the day trippers and they sang all sorts of songs and performed even more dancers, including another 'Meka' dance.

The dances were over, lunch was done and it was time for me to say goodbye to the others and head for the mainland. Once on the catamaran I sat down in the air conditioned lower deck of the vessel and saw the islands of the Mamanuca pass me by. All were very pretty and a little different to the Yasawas. One island I saw was the tiny island that Castaway was filmed on, staring Tom Hanks (and Wilson ). At this point I was talking to a British guy called Joel and he was sailing around the world for fourteen months. Starting near Halifax Canada (in, what looked like from the photo he produced, an old 17C British war vessel) he's been traveling through the Caribbean, through the panama canal and then to Fiji. Next hes off towards Africa stopping near Madagascar and South Africa before returning to the Caribbean and then back to Canada. His trip sounded amazing, but hard work; if I didn't get seasick I wouldn't mind trying it … but not for that long!

Anyway the time flew and I got to my final destination, within Fiji, the Nadi Bay Resort. I checked into my dorm and was surprised to see others there … however they only arrived today to and are off tomorrow. After this I headed into town to seek a internet cafe.

Leaving the internet cafe it was 8pm and dark; buses had stopped running so the only cheap public transport option left were these private hire people carriers that picked up people and took them to where they needed to go for only a little more than the bus. I had seen hundreds of these people carriers all over the main island (packed with people) and had ignored them, being a little to nervous to try them. Anyway, this being nearly the end of my Fijian trip, I decided to give them a whirl and they were good, and they only cost 30 cents more than a bus for the same journey (about 10p).

Getting back to the dorm I had a nice, long hot shower (none of the islands had hot water for showers, only cold) which was bliss before going to sleep. Not feeling that hungry tonight to I skipped tea but will make up for it tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow it's souvenir time plus I'll hopefully upload a summary blog of my time in Fiji … for now, sleep.

Toodle Pip!

Smugglers Cover Day 2

24th September 2010

MP3 track of the day: Nightswimming - REM

Weather – hotter than yesterday but still cloudy

I got up a reasonable time and said good bye to the English couple (Mike and thingy … I'm rubbish with names) I met yesterday as they were off to Mana Island today for three nights. After this I had got ready to head, yet again, into Nadi.

Apart from visiting an internet cafe (the internet is way cheaper in town than at the resort) I didn't do anything else and returned back to the hotel. Before having tea I went up to the 'sunset balcony' to, funnily enough, watch the sun set as I read my New Zealand guidebook. I then headed back to the restaurant to order a pizza and while that was coming I spoke to this Aussie. He's retired out here but used to work for the UN; for the next 20 minutes or so he was explaining to me how the end of the world is nigh and that immigration and the increase of people from developing nations has turned this world to rubbish … oh and we are all doomed.

After that spurning conversation my pizza came and I ate it all before heading for an early night, I've got to be up by 6am to catch my bus for the 'island hopping' at 7am.

Well Tomorrow signifies my two week mark here in Fiji. At times 'Fiji time' seems to be pretty slow, however overall the time has gone pretty quickly. The weather is still hot and annoying but I'm getting more and more used to it. The people are brilliant and I haven't herd the word 'Awesome' for at least ten days. So how has my budget gone for my mainland visit? Well it's gone very well indeed; I reckon I've only spent around £17.38 per day which is below my budget of £20 a day. It's a shame the next six days are going to flatten my budget keeping, still you only live once.

Toodle Pip

P.S. As I will be island hopping for six days I don't know if I'm going to have electricity, let alone internet access. Therefore the blog my have to take a rest for five / six days until I return … I know, I know heart breaking and unbelievable as it may seem, this might be the case … sorry.

Back in Nadi

MP3 track of the day: Before I Fall to Pieces - Razorlight

Weather: much cooler that the previous days; lots of clouds in the sky

Funnily enough I was up early again and so I got ready and left Lautoka for Nadi at around 7:30am. I caught the local bus which seem to stop every 35 yards, however this didn't matter. I got to my hostel, Smugglers Cove (I decided to try a different hostel in Nadi this time) around 9am and so I was allowed to have the free breakfast today as well (bonus!).

Once here I decanted my stuff, had something to eat and then booked my island hopping trip for Saturday … 'A lazy threesome' the package was called. Six days and five nights going right to the trip of the Yasawas Islands for two nights (Staying at Coral View), before coming back and stopping at the middle of the range for two nights (at Manta-ray resort … apparently there are lots of Manta-rays around here) and finally staying one night in the Mamanuca Islands (at Bounty Island Resort) before coming back to Nadi. The package is all inclusive (there is no choice in the matter) and comes to … wait for it … $914 Fijian Dollars (just over £300, working out at over £60 a day … that's more than I spent in Canada!).

The price isn't the only bad news; basically when I come back I only have two nights left in Fiji meaning that I wouldn't be able to make it back to Mango Bay to see the security guards village; there are village visits on the islands I'll be visiting but it won't be the same. With the fact I'm missing out on seeing my Fijian friends village and the price, it was a hard decision, but this is something I wanted to do and a three day pass was going to cost over $500 and so it was more economical to do the six day pass. This has totally destroyed my budget but never mind, I want to go island hopping and I don't want any regrets (plus wants the point in coming to Fiji if you aren't going to see any of the islands?).

Due to the weather being a lot cooler I walked most of the way into town stopping at the first place I stayed at when I arrived in Fiji (The Nadi Bay Resort) to reserve my last two nights in Fiji (oh and to see if I had left my nail scissors there as I seem to have lost them … no such luck) and then at McDonald's to get an 'ice coke' (I've seen them advertised around here and wanted to try one … they are very good).

Once in town I did a few odd jobs which included buying a little water for the next six days. After which I headed back to the hostel.

Once back at the hostel I met a lovely English couple who are going pretty much the same trip I am but backwards (they started in Asia and are now heading to North America … totally jealous). We chatted for a bit before they went for dinner (I wasn't that hungry at that particular time) where as I sat down to read a bit more about New Zealand (apparently it's around 17 / 18 degrees there this time of year … bliss). Around 9pm I went for tea before going to sleep.

Tomorrow is going to be a very lazy day just waiting for my 'island hopping trip' to start the day after.

Toodle Pip!

Sand Dunes

Sunday 12th September 2010

MP3 track of the day: Eminem and Rhianna – Love the way you lie

Weather: Cloudy with a small, light showers; cooler than yesterday … but still hot.

Getting up at 6:00am I got ready to meet Cheryl in reception. Yesterday I had spent nearly the whole day trying to find accommodation in Singatoka so I could go to the Sand Dunes National Park. After giving up I went to the tourist office where a lady said I could do it in a day (If I left early) and Cheryl (a Brit, who I had met in LA waiting for the flight to Fiji), who was also in the tourist office at the time, also wanted to see the Sand Dunes National Park and so asked if she could tag along.

Anyway I got up at 6:00am to get ready to meet Cheryl in reception at 7:00am. We got to Nadi bus station and caught the bus to the Sand Dunes National Park with no troubles. It was a nice ride and it'll be the one I take tomorrow to Mango Beach; anyway we arrived at the national park tourist office where a nice guy gave us a map of a 2 hour route around the sand dunes and also took $8.00 (£2.50) off each of us as a fee to enter the park.

The beginning of the trip was fine; as it was around 9:00am when we started; it was certainly hot, but not as bad as yesterday and there wasn't anyone else around. We went through a 'jungleish' section before reaching the actual sand dunes themselves. My guidebook told me that these dunes reached 80 meters high in some areas, but it's not until you see them (and climb them as you will hear later on) that you really appreciate the size and scale of these natural sand-made hills.

All was going swimmingly when the path we were following just stopped at the bottom of a Sand Dune. Looking at the map it did direct us to climb the massive sand dune in front of us, but Cheryl wasn't too sure as there seemed to be a path that lead down into a village and maybe we were supposed to go around. I remember the guy at the office saying that we did have to climb a sand dune and I was pretty adamant that climbing it was the right way … and so we climbed.

It's pretty hard going climbing up the side of a sand dune as with every step the sand gives way and you only gain a few inches in elevation. We both made it to the top but again it wasn't clear where to go (some signs at this point would have been useful). Cheryl was still talking about going through the village but I was certain that was wrong; as the clouds drew in I went on top of another sand dune (leaving Cheryl to wait) to have a look around.

Once on this final plateau the sand became just as firm to walk on as concrete and so I walked around a lot until I was pretty sure the way to go. As I walked back to Cheryl the rain came down (which was lovely as I had been hot and sticky up until this point) to tell her what I had seen. She still favored the village route but again we followed my lead and soon we made it across the sand dunes to the final part of the walk, the coastal walk.

The sand dunes had been amazing; it was like being in a desert … and they were so big. Once down at the coast we had another problem; we weren't too sure exactly where we had descended onto the coastal walk … had we gone further than the map was showing? Had we not gone as far as the map had shown? It didn't really matter to me as I knew where we pretty much were, but just to make sure we climbed another sand dune to get our bearings. The only slight annoyance at this part was Cheryl going on, and on, and on about how she thought we had gone wrong (basically pointing the finger at me) and that we should have taken the other route into the village. After the 126^th time of hearing this I did think about pushing Cheryl down said sand dune but I thought the guy at the tourist office might have some questions for me.

Once we had our bearings we descended back down the sand dune and along the coast until we saw a sign that directed us back to the tourist office. On the way back we saw a sign that read 'to the tree of lost soles' which scared me a little (thinking it was voodoo stuff) until I saw sandals hanging from the tree branches (tree of lost soles … get it).

It had taken us three hours to do a two hour walk, which wasn't bad. We had a word with the guy in the tourist office who said that we did actually go the right way after all, but I agree with Cheryl that more signs would have been useful.

As the Sand Dunes National Park is just out of Sigotoka, the guy in the Sand Dunes National Park tourist office said that it would be easier if we caught a return taxi to Sigatoka bus station and catch a bus back to Nadi from there. The Fijian taxi's have this great idea; if they are returning back to base from taking someone somewhere (i.e. a taxi takes someone out of Sigatoka and is then returning back) then they will pick up anyone, who wants to go the same way, for $1 (33p) per person. It's a great idea as this means the taxi driver gets a little more money than he would have previously and people get a cheap ride into town. We did this and before we knew it were we on the bus back to Nadi at Sigatoka bus station.

Once back in Nadi we came straight back to the resort and parted; I'm here in my dorm (which I've been the only one sleeping in the dorm since 7:00am yesterday morning) and I've had a shower, a chill and change of clothes.

I think tonight I'm just going to chill and have an early night. Tomorrow I leave Nadi for Mango Bay around 9:30ish so another early start for me.

After my first two days in Fiji I have made one crucial decision … yes I am now wearing my shorts for the first time, and it isn't a pretty sight. I feel slightly embarrassed of my white matchstick legs, but it's just so hot here that it has to be done (sorry Fiji).

Toodle Pip!

Culture Shoooock!

MP3 track of the day – Oasis – The Importance of Being Idle

Weather: Very hot in both LA and Nadi, Fiji

Thursday 9^th September 2010

Where was I last time I blogged … oh yes. Well I did eventually go out and do a bit of sightseeing on my final day in LA; whilst trying to hunt down some lunch I went to the famous Farmers Market that the 'hop-on' hop-off' bus stopped at yesterday. This old location has a market (but is now more of a cheap food location) with a posh shopping area attached to the back.

I went to the market for a Chinese and then had a swift look around the shopping area before returning to the hostel. I stayed at the hostel until 5pm when I then decided to head out to the airport. I could have got a shuttle for the reasonable sum of $15.00 (the airport is quite a drive) however, me being a traveler, I decided to follow the public transport directions given from the hostel (I had plenty of time as my flight wasn't until 11:30pm).

All was going swimmingly until my directions told me to get on the 'Metro Red Line'. With the word metro I immediately thought it meant the new underground system in LA as that was called

the 'Metro' and it had a red line …

… no. In LA there are two metros, one being an underground train and the other a bus and both have a red line. It didn't really matter me taking the underground instead of the bus (Infact I think I got to the airport quicker) but it did involve a 20 minute walk, in full gear, to the nearest underground station.

2hrs and I was at the airport. And this airport has quite an ingenious idea. It has two levels; the ground level is for arrivals and the top level is for departures. Sadly, this being America, no one told you this and there weren't any signs so, when my bus dropped me off on the bottom layer, I walked around for about another 20 minutes before a guy (who I later found out was helping people just so he could try to get money off me for charities) instructed me that I had to go upstairs.

Finally I dropped off my bag, went through security and headed to my gate. It was at least 3 hours before my flight was due to take off so I decided to get a little lunch at one of the many restaurants you find around the terminals...

… Apparently not in LA; there was only one place to eat and all that sold were sandwiches at a ridiculous price. Now I normally don't bother eating at an airport until I'm through security as I usually don't have to pay any tax. However it cost me $14.00 for a sandwich (which wasn't very nice), a packet of crisps (which I thought were salt and vinegar and they were cheddar and onion) and a bottle of water. I sat down and consumed the lot before waiting another 2 hours to board my flight. Whilst there I talked to a girl from Nottingham and she was backpacking roughly the same route as I was up until Australia (most backpackers I've met are).

Once on the flight I was pleasantly surprised to see that the flight wasn't that busy at all; I had a window seat and the seat next to me was vacant. The guy on the isle seat of my row was a very nice American (if a little mad) named Joey, and he talked to me about all sorts, which would have been great if I wasn't trying to sleep the whole way. You see we left LA at 11:30pm and we would arrive in Nadi at 5:10am two days later, but the flight was only ten hours. Therefore I thought if I could sleep most of those 10 hours I would be bright and breezy for my first morning in Fiji (hopefully beating jet lag). Eventually I headed off to sleep and I had a pretty good nights sleep too (missed the evening meal due to being asleep … which Joey said wasn't very good).

Friday 10^th September 2010

Nothing happened today at all … seriously, due to crossing west to east I went across the time line thing and lost the entire day. I thought it would feel weird but not really, looking on the bright side it's done wonders for my budget.

Saturday 11^th September 2010

I had a pretty good nights sleep on the plane and I arrived in Nadi early at around 4:20am. Before arriving we were given a breakfast of fruit and a muffin which was very welcome indeed. Once off the flight we walked along an outside platform before getting to the terminal … it was hot, very hot and only 4:30am!

Once inside the terminal I was greeted by a Fijian playing a guitar … oh and customs and immigration which were fine. I was in the customs queue with Joey who was telling me that he had spoken to a good looking Canadian chick, from Ottawa, who had just completed a Law degree and was traveling around for four months … he said that I should try to meet up with her as she was backpacking around Fiji (my mum would be proud).

I said goodbye to Joey and then got into a tax to my hostel. The hostel / hotel paid for my taxi and then took me to my room (which I was quite surprised with considering I was checking in at 5:00am). Fiji seems to not have hostels as such; instead they have hotels with dorms put onto the end and this one is just like that … it's very nice and has it's own pool.

I crept quietly into my room and went to sleep for around an hour before the rest of my hostel mates alarms went off … I know in Fiji most people get up early due to the heat but 6am! It turned out that the 3 Germans (2 girls and 1 boy) and 1 Fin (a girl) were going on an island hopping tour and that started at 7:30am. I wasn't tired and so I got up too.

I went to reception to ask about a bus into Nadi and luckily there was a stop at the end of our street she said. Well I couldn't find it and so I decided to walk part way into Nadi until I reached the next stop. Nadi is quite beautiful and along the way I took a few photos of the landscape; I also had three taxi drivers stop to try to give me a discounted lift into town to which I said no. I got to the bus stop which is opposite McDonald's (there everywhere!). Soon I could see what can only be described as a shed on four wheels with no glass in the windows bombing it towards me … must be the bus then. 70 cents (20p) later I was heading into town.

When I arrived at the bus station I can only describe the place as twinned with Delhi with loads of pre-historic buses here, there and everywhere with carts in the mix trying to sell goods. As I got off the bus I was greeted with a town that resembled something from 'sheds R us' with old concrete buildings, scattered all over the place. I had a map and so I headed to the attraction I had come to see; the Sri Siva Subrahmanya Swami Temple which was simply stunning (see my Flickr account for photos). For $3.50 (just over a pound) I was allowed to take my shoes, cap and sunglasses off and have a look around and take photos (apart from when I was inside). I decided to stay out of the temple in fear of upsetting someone as this wasn't my culture and I wasn't sure how to act. After the third lap around the temple taking photos the manager (who sold me the ticket) came to me and said did I want to have a look inside. I think he knew I was nervous and so he took me in and explained all about the temple and the Hindu four gods (he was nice, even though his name was 'red eye'). He also said that at the moment it was a religious period and that I was invited to share a meal with people in the temple, if I wanted, in a couple of hours. I decided that I wouldn't simply because I'm not religious in anyway (I just wanted to see the building) and therefore I felt uncomfortable taking someone's food, especially in a country that is poorer than the UK.

After an hour I left the temple and headed back to the center of town to find an internet cafe to see if I could book some accommodation in Sigatoka. I booked an hour (for 66p) and tried to find these two places within my guidebook but to no avail. I did however get a phone number which I will try once back at the hostel.

I then headed back to the bus station; all the time through Nadi I have been bombarded with blokes saying 'bola, bola' with a big smile on there faces wanting to shake my hand and to know where I'm from, how long I'm here and then asking me to visit a market, shop or something else they own. They are all very nice and pleasant (with a good firm 'no' making them go away) but it does start to get rather annoying. I have therefore decided to christen them 'bola, bola men'. Once back at the bus station I found out information for a bus to Sigatoka or the Coral Cost tomorrow (transport done, now just accommodation) and I got on the bus back to the hostel.

Now I don't know why but I got off the bus a stop early and decided to go to the McDonald's I saw as I went into Nadi. All this way for a McDonald's … if I'm honest I think it's because today has been such a big culture shock that I needed something I could relate to.

Anyway I'm back at the hostel, had a nice shower and now I'm back on with getting some accommodation booked for tomorrow night. The phone number doesn't work on a land line and so I'm going to try it from my mobile and if that doesn't work I'll either stay here another night (and go to the sand dunes on a day trip) or skip the sand dunes and head straight to the Coral Cost. I think Once I'm at the coral coast I'll spend at least four nights there as I really need sometime to get my head around the culture.

I've now been traveling for a week and so far it's been a little mixed. On the plus side I'm bang on, if not slight under, my budget (also STA have said they will refund me my Super-Shuttle fare). On the negative I didn't really like LA that much … I'm glad I went but don't think I would want to go back. The real downside is that I'm still a little homesick and so I'm still thinking whether this traveling lark was a good idea or not … no idea why I feel this way as I loved Canada and Alaska but I think I just need to give it time. All I'm saying is don't be too surprised if I come home after New Zealand or Japan.

Toodle Pip.