Drawaqa Island and Wayalailai Island: Bula Combo Pass

Wednesday 8th March 2017

Checkout from Barefoot Manta today, it's been nice here but so flipping expensive compared to the other islands we've been at!  Although we managed to blag all our meals free as the boys we saw yesterday said they had an offer from the boat so we just said we were told that too so we saved $168 on food. I was sad this morning as the donuts had flies all over them so they were taken away!

We grabbed our bags and went to check out, but they had lost signal on the card machine so we had to wait. We left our stuff at reception and went to get a kayak, as I had won a free ride from the crab race the other day.

Getting out on the water really showed how beautiful the coral reef is around this island. There were so many fish and I've never seen so many starfishes before in my life! I attempted to get some photos from my GoPro but I had no inclination as to how they would turn out when I was taking them, but some of them turned out ok!

 

Our plan was to then go and chill on the beach for a bit but then, shock, it started to rain again! (I'm definitely coming back to Fiji outside of the wet season!!) So we stayed in the main building waiting for it to pass over, and after a while I went out to sunbathe on the beach againnever last as long as I do in England sunbathing a sits so flipping hot! I stayed closer to the rocks at the end of the beach and there was a fish swimming around aimlessly, I don't think that fish was well! He was beautiful though.

We then bumped in to some others and Chris let Emma and I borrow the snorkel he hired out. It's so amazing that you can swim out for less than 30 seconds and be surrounded by beautiful fish and corals.

Time went by pretty quickly and then it was lunch time - I can't wait to start eating meals on my own time again! After lunch we only had about an hour before getting our boat, so I went for a walk around sunset beach and  then chilled out for a bit waiting for our transfer. The weather was much better than the last time we got the boat, that's for sure. Although it still felt like we were riding a rollercoaster - they don't call it the Yasawas flyer for nothing!

Waylailai island is awesome, the rock formations around here are something else. We were a little cheeky and asked if there were any free room upgrades, so instead of sleeping in the dorm we've got our own bule which is nice! Although the bathroom stinks and there's no electricity so that's a downer but we'll live!

We went for a dip in the ocean, it was refreshing but there is seaweed everywhere, the beaches are much nicer at oarsman bay and Barefoot Manta! The sun went in so we went and got ready early (what a shock). We get an afternoon tea here which is really exciting for us! (Turns out it was just tea and crackers, less exciting).

Dinner was delicious, some sort of spicy chicken with rice and noodles - buffet style! Hands down my favourite meal from all the islands so far! And I had so much pineapple, I have never tasted pineapple as good as the pineapples in Fiji.

Emma and I had planned to get an early night, but the staff at Wayalailai had other plans! We had a few dances to 'make sure the sun comes out tomorrow' and then we played this ridiculous game where the first person carries as spoon in his mouth balancing a marble, thrown everyone else takes turns in sitting on a potato, carrying it between their thighs and then passing it to the next person, and then we had to pass an empty bottle to each other by our thighs and then sit down. It was a bit over complicated but our team won! We all got a free drink at the bar which was awesome!

Afterwards we got chatting to a few people and it's honestly the most I've laughed since being in Fiji! It was brilliant.

Nadi and Robinson Crusoe Island: Whole Hula

Monday 27th February 2017

We had an early start this morning, getting to breakfast at around 7. Turns out the breakfast at smugglers cove is complimentary so we missed out yesterday but never mind! The coach picked us up at around 8:15 and we had a few more pick ups before starting the day. Turns out Annie and Alex, who were both on our Contiki in New Zealand, are on the same trip as us which is awesome! Always nice to see a familiar face! There are ten of us in total, I nice change from the 49 on Contiki! Most of us are English, but there's one girl from the Netherlands and two ladies from Japan who are over 70! Our tour guide is called Linga and he is super knowledgeable, giving us facts about pretty much anywhere we go!

Our first stop was in Nadi centre, it's much better now all the shops are open! I'd already got water and a sarong so I didn't need to get anything there, so I just followed the others around!

We then had a drive to get to the dock for our boat that would take us to Robinson Crusoe Island. The boat journey was about half an hour and took us down the river and out to the sea. I fell in love with the island from the first glimpse, it is the epitome of paradise.

We made our way off the boat and checked in, we were staying in a dorm that was basic but no problems other than it was rather hot!

Our first activity of the day was basically how to survive off a coconut! We were split in to teams and shown how to husk? the coconut to get it out of its whatever, how to crack it, scrape the flesh and milk the flesh! Fresh coconut is so delicious! We were then shown a traditional meal; crackers, coconut milk and sugar - the Fijians often eat it if it's a super hot day and they don't feel like eating much. It basically tastes like cereal and is pretty good!

After we finished this, there was a demonstration of weaving the coconut tree leaves. One of the guys showed us how to make a basket and then we helped a few of us make a fish... I'm quite proud of mine!

As we were finishing off weaving, someone banged the drum, signalling it was time for lunch. It was a BBQ style lunch with fish, burgers and chicken as well as salads. Super delicious!

After a while, a few of us went snorkelling. We got the boat out to a coral reef to have a look at the marine life there. I was snorkelling super confidently at the front having a great time... until the guide grabbed my hand and dragged me under the water to show me something, resulting in me breathing in heaps of water and setting me into panic mode! It took me a while to calm down, but one of the other guides helped me out and eventually got me a life jacket and I was grand after that! I managed to find Nemo and Dory as well as seeing a stingray and a lion fish which was pretty spectacular! My GoPro pictures don't really do it justice, and see if you can spot the stingray!

When we got back, it was time for the hermit crab race after popping to the other side of the island (literally takes 2 minutes) to see the giant turtle, which was an experience I won't forget! There was such a sweet family staying on the island as well, with 2 young girls so it was amazing to see their faces! We went back to the 'arena' drawn in the sand. I went for crab number 3, but sadly didn't win anything!

Some of the other visitors on the island had been crabbing earlier on in the day, so one of the ladies had made a traditional crab dish for us to try. Surprisingly I actually quite liked it (mainly because It pretty much tasted like coconut and salt!), Fiji seems to be converting me to seafood!

It was then time to say goodbye to the day visitors and then having some free time before dinner. I attempted paddle boarding... attempted being the main? word! I didn't fall in though! We were using kayak paddles to paddle which was off and my balance is terrible on land let alone standing up in the water! But I'll definitely try it again (and not on a board that says 'do not use' haha). I then went kayaking for a bit before showering and getting changed for dinner.

I was the first one ready before dinner, and he evening guests to the island had already arrived. Linga was desperately trying to save us tables! They had already started the Kava ceremony and I was super curious as to what Kava tasted like. It pretty much looks and tastes like muddy water and makes your lips and tongue go numb!

We then all went down to the beach front for the sunset bonfire with a little sing along which was super cute. I still can't get over how beautiful the island is!

Dinner was cooked in the traditional Lovo style, same as the New Zealand Hangi. When they were showing us where the food was cooked, two members of staff walked on the hot rocks. Food was beef, chicken and fish with potatoes, veg and gravy and it was the tenderest most delicious beef I have ever tasted!

After food it was time for the show. It similar to the one we saw yesterday, expect there were a lot more male dancers. It was amazing! Couldn't take my eyes off the dancers! They also finished with a fire show in the sea and they span their fire sticks? so fast that they sparked off like fireworks and the whole place lit up. Incredible.

After the show, the evening guests departed and we stood with the islanders to see them off. We then had more Kava and danced for a bit before heading off to bed. It's been such a jam packed day!

Paihia - The Big Tiki

Saturday 3rd February - Monday 4th February 2017

Today was the day we finally started our Contiki tour, 'The Big Tiki' - a 19 day trip from Auckland - Christchurch around both the North and South islands of New Zealand.

Our first stop on the trip was 'Tâne Mahata'' the oldest Kauri tree in New Zealand (I think) and apparently you get good luck if you give it a hug or a cheeky kiss... hence the photo!

Our second stop before Paihia was at a small town called Waipu where we stopped to grab a bit of lunch before finishing the coach journey. There was a pretty harbour and a clock museum (not that we went there) but that was about it!

We checked in to our hotel in a three bed room and it is such a nice change to not be sharing with twelve other people! As it was only a short walk from the beaches, we headed straight down for a swim! It's been so lovely meeting and getting to know the rest of the people on our Contiki trip! So far everyone's been so lovely!

We then all went for fish and chips as part of our included dinner... but we didn't realise it was going to be at the ex-serviceman's association - the equivalent of a British legion! I presumed it would be a takeaway! But it was really nice, loads of salady bits and vegetable dishes to go with it and it was definitely awesome to not be paying for a meal!

Afterwards, we went to a bar for a few drinks, but they closed the outer deck at 9 (NZ is definitely
more strict with alcohol regulations than England!) and it got so crowded, so we decided to move on to another place just down the street. It was a ten dollar entrance fee, but we managed to haggle it down to two-fifty and we went on in expecting it to be just a normal Saturday night with a dj set. However, it turned out to be a local rap group performance.... and it was interesting to say the least! But it was a great first night out!

The next day, Emma went off early on an all day sailing trip so I spent he morning going on a hike to Haruru falls. We needed up walking the road way to the falls and the scenic route back, but it was pretty awesome! We also found hot dogs (well a sausage in a slice of bread) for $2 so we snapped them up! They were delicious - even though I burnt the roof of my mouth on it.

Then, in the afternoon, Katie, Alec, Steve and I went kayaking to an island and up an estuary for a bit. It was so much fun, even though I cut my foot on a rock in the sea!

After going back to the room and getting changed etc, Emma and I decided to wander into town for food as we were starving. On the way down we were dreaming about all the different options we had, our mouths watering at the thought of delicious food. But no, there was a power cut which lead to the majority of shops and restaurants closing! We were so sad - and hangry! We ended up finding a cheap cafe where I got a date scone and a brownie, which were nice but not a proper dinner so we went back into our room just chilled!

Paihia was truly beautiful.