NFiji: 25.07.18

So, the last couple of days have been Fabulous.

Yesterday I spent the morning chilling by the pool, watching the beach come to life, the man preparing his coconuts, the guy bringing his horses on the beach, the boats dropping off fish and supplies, the kids playing in the sea. It is so wonderful to watch.

After chilling by the pool/beach I decided to head into the town, Nadi, for some shopping. I caught the local bus outside the hotel, $5 for 4 journeys. When I arrived in Nadi Bus Terminal I just headed into what looked like the town, then I got chatting to a rather large Fijian guy who wanted  to direct me to  local Fijian Market, I was happy to go along with this, even when it meant crossing a deserted parking lot at the back of the shops, god forbid I should offend my new found friend!!

He eventually took me to a small, out of the way shop, where I met Lucy, who asked if I had been welcomed properly to Fiji with a Kava ceremony? Well I had to be honest and say no, at this point I’m thinking I’m about to get a nice glass of bubbles!! But No, the ceremony was lovely and involved Lucy mixing the Kava (some sort of mad root thing, which can cure cancer, but also make to sleepy and Horny, according to Lucy!!) with water and then when it looks like dirty dishwater, I get to drink it! Yeah! Well I drank it and it started to make my mouth go numb, and then I’m thinking, shit!! All sort of shit could happen now! Pleased to say that the  only shit that happened is that I got ripped off on a turtle carving!! 😳

I left and tried to do some shopping, but the shops were a bit Pants, and then it came back to me……I bloody hate shopping!!

I headed back to the bus station, I love bus stations, they encompass all that is real, I had to wait for 30mins for my bus, but was lucky to be sitting next to a lovely Fijian lady who made me feel welcome and safe, we shared my polo mints, and her peanuts, all was good.

The bus arrived, no windows, local air conditioning! It took a slightly different route back, we were headed down a long straight road, then we get to the end of the road and I’m thinking we are going to do a u turn, but no! The bus heads straight onto the beach! The best short cut ever! 😁

Once I got back, I had a nice meal in the hotel next door, Smugglers Cove, then headed back to my hotel, had a glass of wine then off to bed!

Today I had a fantastic day trip to Southsea Island 🌴 Once again I was

Picked up from the hotel at 7am and taken to Denarau Port, my boat left at 8.30 so I arrived at Southsea by 9am. The island is gorgeous, small and perfect, but it is aimed at families, which is not really a problem. The problem was that there were lots and lots of Japanese and Chinese tourists on the trip, this should not really be an issue, except that lots of them wanted to take my photo, or for me to be in a photo with them! They also have no idea about personal safety and space! After some heart stopping moments on the tender from the catamaran to the island, I was exhausted!!

I found a nice little beach front bed, put my towel on it! as the English like to do! Then  took a lovely walk around the island, which is gorgeous. I had booked to stay in the island all day, but the forcast was for wind in the afternoon, so no snokelling. (Thank god! I bloody hate being in deep water with no anchor, life raft, dry land!!So basically, I hate the sea!! ) I Decided to stay for lunch, then jump on the catamaran, which was heading all around the islands, all I was missing was sunbathing time!

Whilst on the island I met an incredible young lady Called Katherine Dorosario, who is only 23 and has taken a year out from her job at the BBC to travel, by herself! Hats off to her, she is having the most amazing adventure, making memories and building character. Have the best, most amazing time. Make music and memories Katherine.

The catamaran took us out to lots of different islands, Castaway, Beachcomber, Malolo, Bounty. All of these you can stay on. They looked stunning, I particularly liked the island of Malolo, which had hills. It was just stunning to see these islands, which really look like something in a movie!

After having a couple of glasses (that’s not strictly true, more like a half pint in a plastic cup!!) of wine! 😁😁 we arrived back at Denarau. I did a small little bit of shopping, it was hard and unpleasant but gifts need to be purchased!!

I then got a taxi back to Wailoaloa! Well, I ended up in possibly the oldest car in Fiji!! Driven by the lovely Maika, or as he is known to his friends, Max!! Or as he is now known to me Mad Fucking Max!! He was hysterical, the bloody car cut out every time it slowed down, the solution, don’t slow down!! Corners, lights, people, no problem as long as they can move fast! Luckily I had my seatbelt on! I loved it!

I love arriving back at my small hotel and all the staff are like “hi Claire, how was your day, how are you” it’s lovely.

My thoughts about Fiji. It is beautiful, stunning. The people are amazing, friendly and gorgeous. It is a very poor country that is dependent on tourism, so come and stay!

The people as I’ve said are incredibly friendly, there seems to be an abundance of large, Gorgeous, Camp, Gay men, which is fabulous to see,

That’s it from me from Fabulous FijI, I leave early tomorrow for Sydney.

Im going to try and upload some photos with this blog, but it might not work, in which case, I’ll post them tomorrow.

Bulu. 💖🌈Xx