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Bula from Fiji,
Well I love it here, in fact if a local would adopt me I would stay. Thats not to say my arrival here went particularly well. I have debated whether to own up to this in public but given the fact I am nothing but honest and I dont mind people laughing at my expense (i have alot of experience of that) I shall. I arrive at Fiji at 0200 in the morning and am told my bus to the boat doesnt leave til 0730 so I have to sit in the airport for a few hours. I get chatting to the young worker in the cafe who clearly thinks a white girl like me needs looking after. he lets me sleep at one of the tables but then decides hed rather lock up and happy to lock me in there too. He was friendly enough but at the next opportunity possible I snuck out, not fancying the life of a local just yet.
The ferry finally takes me out to Manta Ray Resort in the Yasawa Islands, some 3 hour trek and its a beautiful island. Just like the postcards, crystal clear water and loads of marine life. But also full of mosquitos, again. And my jungle bure turns out to be a haven for all the local bugs. So within 10 minutes of arriving I have been munched on by 100s of insects. Lovely. Anyway the lack of electricity and water (only between 4-6pm) was just too much for me to take so I spent one night surrounded by buzzing mossies and caught the ferry back to the mainland the following day. So I'm sorry to all those people who have backpacked, who will be incredibly disappointed at me but I then checked in at the Hilton where I have spent 4 heaven sent days by one of the 4 pools or by the beach. I thought I deserved the luxury after my dramatic arrival to Fiji! You are welcome to take the micky as much as you like, I deserve it but as my skin is now returning to premossie status I am very glad I did.
So whatelse have I been up to - I was lucky enough to meet up with Sven and Gabby on their way through to holiday in one of the Fijian islands (and for the record they are in the lap of luxury too, no slumming for them). It was so lovely to meet up with people that I knew, I must have bored them senseless with my tales but try not talking to anyone you actually know for 9 weeks and see what that does to you!
I am now the proud owner of a PADI open water scuba diving certificate, having spent 2 days diving around Beachcomber Island - once I managed to remember how to breathe, clear my mask, equalise and check all my gauges I saw a few fish. In fact thousands of different beautiful fish. Jacque Cousto (I dont care how you spell it) has nothing on me. I did see one very tiny reef shark that will no doubt be alot bigger in my stories by the time I get home.
And the rest of the time, I've sat in and out of the sun and rain. It rains a hell of alot here but when it clears its back to 30 deg. I saw the ultimate sunset of my life last night as I sat watching the locals take on the hilton holidaymakers at beachvolleyball. It really did look like this picture and I think I shall never forget it. It turns out the holidaymakers were actually an Asutralian company on their group conference to Fiji. Now if someone wants to have a word with Lars I can try and negotiate a discount for our chartering conference next year.
But my time here has come to an end, I leave for Australia tomorrow. My final 5 weeks to be spent travelling around - First stop Melbourne. The people here are so very friendly, I shall miss them but my next adventure awaits.
Bula everyone Annie
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