Friday, December 9, 2016

Bula Fiji

Arrived safely in Nadi, Fiji with all my baggage. The air here is hot and humid, and it's a welcomed change to the freezing rain I left behind. Everyone here greets each other with a warm smile and "Bula!" Made pals with fellow travelers on the shuttle from the airport to Bamboo Backpackers resort, all commiserating in not having slept much on our flights and also fueled by the excitement of another stamp on the passport and the anticipation of adventures to come. After some breakfast and a celebratory mini bottle of champagne, my room was ready, and I was glad to lay down after time traveling over the international dateline. 

 

The public busses are cheap and easy, with many of them open air (no windows), providing a breezy reprieve from the heat- it does not cool down here, not even at night. Navigated my way into town with a new pal, Nadia- friendships amongst backpackers are fast and fleeting, always sharing where you've been, how long you're here, and where to next. We hit up the growers market, where I enjoyed a spiral cut pineapple for a snack while perusing all the unfamiliar fruits and roots.
 Took part in a Yakona (Kava) ceremony the first night in hopes of sleeping off this nasty cold I caught on my way here. Sat in a circle with some locals playing some songs on guitar and make shift percussion instruments and telling stories. The yakona is steeped for a while served in a little coconut shell cup, that gets passed around the circle until someone takes it with a single hand clap and shout of "Bula!" Then passes it back around to be refilled. The warm drink is bitter and some don't prefer it. (I love it) I had a few cups full, making my whole mouth numb and relaxing me into "fiji time".

Day 2 found me with no voice and feeling worse, not having slept much in the heat. But I ventured out to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, boasting a vast array of beautiful orchids and varieties of flowers you can only dream of.
    

   
After lunch at the hostel, I bussed back into town for some needed items before heading out to the Yasawa Islands, where all you have access to is what you brought along. Picked up some Sudafed, a new phone charger and visited the Hindu temple.
 
The bus back took a shortcut off road and on to the beach! 
Had a beautiful dinner of mahi mahi with some local root vegetables, and greens cooked in a coconut broth. So kind! So far the food does not disappoint, and I'm told the island fare is even better. Everything organic and grown or harvested from the island and surrounding seas. Cooled down on the beach with a cold Fiji Gold beer and watched a vibrant sunset with dramatic clouds and lightning striking hard and fast behind me inland.

Headed to Waya island now to relax at the Octopus Resort for 2 nights to start off my week of island hopping. Looking forward to the free morning yoga, and planning to book a massage for tomorrow... because vacation!

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