Fiji May 2005 – The Diary

Seashell Cove Resort

http://www.seashellresort.com/

Email extracts

Oh Fiji was fantastic by the way, only bad thing about it was the mozzies, but you cant have everything †Another couple of stamps on my passport, another flight out the way, another country off my list………..

Got to Fiji on the 2nd. The net in Fiji strongly mirrored that of the net in AP. †Fiji was very cool (except in temperature), I stayed in a lovely resort right on the beach, went snorkelling loads out on the reef and generally just chilled out…….

Fiji was lovely too, a very relaxing week after my crazy, busy months in America. I tried scuba diving but had problems with my ears and the pressure so I was defeated, however I went out snorkelling instead on the reef for a couple of days, saw some fantastic coral and fish of course – along with (on my last day) a SHARK! was so happy that I smiled so much, my mask let all the water in so I had to come up empty it quick and go down again to have another look, it was fantastic.

May 2-

Tad different to my last entry, can’t believe it’s the same day really. Going to bed now after starting my day being hysterically upset then going outside discovering how amazingly beautiful and tropical it is here. Like when I first stepped out of my door that first morning at the park in Zim. Went to reception and got all my questions answered, had some lunch and went to the dive centre to talk to Heru about learning to scuba dive, meeting tomorrow morning at 8.30, discussed that my ear popping may be a problem, so might have to go into town and get checked over by the doctor there. Spent time reading in a deck chair looking out to sea, then an ozzy called Lee came over and started chatting to me. We went to the bar and he introduced me to his mates- Drew and Josh, such nice, genuine guys; they’re on a 3 week break just travelling around the islands surfing, quite dangerous here though because of the reef. Later on I met a great couple- Suzzy and Simon from the Uk who are on a RTW trip too, listened to some great travelling stories, they’d been to China and loved it.

May 3-

Had my meeting with Heru at 8.30 so was up for that, he introduced me to my diving instructor- Sam, we talked about my ears and he said that it would be best to go into town and get them checked by the doctor there. So I got a taxi into town with Jeet, a really long drive, roads are a tad different to those in the US. The doctor said my ears are fine, so Im ok to start, little scared now, gonna actually do this! Discussed with Jeet that I don’t have a power adapter suitable so after driving me round to several electrical stores without success he was nice enough to led me his for the week. Came back and had some lunch and started learning the theory with Sam, quite a lot to take in, but thought I was getting it. All changed when we tried out all the equipment in the pool, I just couldn’t get my breathing right, kept breathing out through my nose which of course kept lifting the snorkle up and letting in water. But dispite that problem there was also the problem of my ears still, I could pop them but they had to be popped more or less as soon as I was under the water. I told Sam about it and he said that wasn’t right, so maybe there is a problem after all, feeling a little defeated, Sam decided that it would be best to practice in the pool tomorrow some more instead of going out to sea as was originally planned.

May 4-

Started the day on a bit of a downer as the diving was a no go, my ears were just way too painful so Sam and I agreed that it was best to finish the course there. So I went out snorkling with Heru and Ap instead, two americans went too- a couple called Jackie and Chad who dived while I snorkled. The fish were so beautiful, Ap took me around after he had dived so I got to see a lot more. Had such a great time so asked if I could go out with them again tomorrow. When back on dry land after lunch I went to settle up for the dive course and the mornings snorkling, but they decided that I didn’t have to pay for the dive course, as I was honest from the beginning that I was worried about my ears and because we didn’t even dive in open water – such nice people  :) Sunbathed in the afternoon, had a little nap- oh its a hard life. Did a bit more reading and chatted to Lee and Josh again at the bar, met another ozzy called Lisa whos here with her boyfriend. Then met two lovely  Norwegian girls who are also on a round the world trip, ended up having dinner with them. Said goodbye to the boys and to Suzie and Simon who are all leaving tomorrow.

May 5-

Got up early to phone home, bought a phone card which was 20 fijian dollars but it only lasted 6 minutes! Couldn’t believe it, cheaper to use the mobile, in the end mum and dad phoned here to the phone at reception. Got upset again, hearing their voices knowing how long it will be before I’m with them again. But pulled myself together and got ready for my snorkle, even bought an underwater camera. Went out with Ap again and also an 68 yr old called Shelia from Sydney. The reef was so near the surface and in some places above it, saw yet more beautiful fish, along with a huge eel, a sea slug and a ray! Had a lovely time  :D Just had a chilled out afternoon, reading and sunbathing, read up on NZ a bit, tried to plot out my stops on a map. Turns out the place where you can swim with dolphins and whale watch is not one of my stops, seriously thinking about changing my flight so I can spend a few extra days in NZ and somehow make my way to Kaikoura, which will make my stay in Sydney slightly shorter. Met a guy called Micheal at the bar whos from Holland, he’s on a RTW trip too, travelling alone like me, and also making his next stop in New Zealand.||

May 6-

Another great day in Fiji. Earlyish morning to go out snorkling, loads of us today, took the big boat out had shade this time. The two norweign girls, Sheila, Micheal, two brits called Mark and Tony. Then there was Api, Heru, Shaun and Michelle who are the owners of scuba bula. Did 3 snorkles, all great – first was quite hard as the current was against us, pushing us further and futher from the boat, lots of tiny jelly fish kept stinging us too. Second one was fantastic the two girls had just about finished so were getting back into the boat when Heru grabbed my arm and pointing down to the bottom where there was a white tipped reef shark! So so cool! Let loads of water in the snorkle from smiling so much  ;D The third snorkle was fun too, loads of beautiful fish and coral. Back on shore got changed, had some lunch did a bit of sunbathing, did some filming, tried to get on the internet but the only computer has been taken away for repair. Had some drinks at the bar and some dinner with the girls from norway – they’re so lovely. Dad faxed through some info on NZ, all sorted now- getting excited about going. Speaking to the family tomorrow!

May 7-

Got up early as Mum and Dad phoned.  Then had some breaky, was asked by Lisa (the ozzy) if I wanted to join her and a few others in Nadi but knew I would have a better day if I stayed at the resort so declined, nice to be asked. Took some more film and pictures, then more sunbathing and read my book with the norwiegn girls, had lunch with them too. Got a little bit burnt – opps. Did my packing as am flying tomorrow morning. Spent the evening at the bar had some dinner with the girls and then joined in the ‘Kava’ ceremony which was basically loads of us sitting in a circle on the floor listening to a local tell us about kava and hearing songs from the locals, then trying kava for ourselves – tasted like muddy water, but then it looked like muddy water. Had some traditional food too- hmmm think I’ll stick to western food if its all the same to them. But we did watch some traditional dancing and even got to join in towards the end- very funny!

May 8-  
 
Left the resort in the very early hours, very bumpy road that seemed to go on forever, but finally got to the airport, crashed out there until my flight to Auckland and slept all the way too.  
Had a fantastic week in Fiji great to get to meet some backpackers and make friends just hope New Zealand will prove to be as good. Would definetely recommend the fijian life!