I've got so much to tell you all I could write an essay but I'm going to try and keep this short and sweat! On the flight to Fiji we had a stop in L.A. but we didn't get to see the city as we couldn't leave the airport which was a shame. Nadi airport seemed like a shack compared to Heathrow but it did the job and definitely beats Heathrow in the customer service department. We were greeted by Fijian music and singers, it was amazing! After looking around the hostel we took a walk to the beach but it started to rain! so much for that golden tan! Back at the hostel we slept for 24hours! The next day we took the bus into town which was an adventure on its own! The bus was scary and made a noise which I can only describe as a mechanical version of auntie leanne's snoring! After careful consideration and the help of some locals we decided to go to Mana Island! we were greeted with a welcome song (I can still remember the words) and then settled into our room which was in the middle of their village. We filled our days on the island with sunbathing and socializing with the locals. I have never been anywhere so relaxed and beautiful, it really does feel like paradise. our evenings are taken up with games and Fijian rum! Leaving Mana was quite sad as you become close to the other travelers and locals living there. Back at Nadi we decided to visit another island, this time we were off to Mala Mala. A small privately owned island which took only ten minutes to walk around and was even more beautiful than Mana. We only had one day there so we made the most of it by joining a guided snorkel which was awesome and then sunbathing under a palm tree! What a hard life! Leaving Fiji I realized that to begin with I found it a complete culture shock. Their way of life is so different to ours, I think I will never be able to explain to anyone what I mean, you have to go there and see it for yourself. Anyway after getting over the culture shock I started to appreciate their way of life and realized how much I love my own!