Bula for the last time from Fiji!

I am back in Nadi, near to the airport, and have a free day before I fly out to New Zealand tomorrow afternoon. I have done some serious washing this morning, my rucksack smelt rather nasty but all my clothes are now sunning themselves in the Fiji sun! And I took some drastic action with my sandals - they were still stinking from a trip through a pig farm en route to a local village in Waya Island, they would never have got into New Zealand coated in fresh maNure - but all is well now! I decided to ventuRe into Nadi Town on the bus today and am sitting in an internet cafe surrounded by people playing football on the playstation - I recognize the commentator's voice!

I have had a really super time in Fiji, the Islands are beautiful - wonderful snorkelling, beaches and interesting local villages. Everyone here is so friendly it's amazing, despite the fact that they have so little compared to us. The villages are really quite run down, although its fascinating to see the impact that tourism can have - most villages are attached to a tourist resort and all the villagers work at the resort. This way you can get a great feel for Fijian life although at times it is hard to get away from the tourist trap. I spent 2 days on Waya Island, it was paradise, one evening we had a Fijian night - dancing, drinking kava, eating the local produce (tasty), it was great fun. I have done plenty of jewlerry making from coconut palm leaves, swimming, snorkelling and fishing as well - I caught a whopper of a fish in Mantaray Island and ate him after...I am going to hit the local produce market now to find some dinner (help!) - I stick out a mile here and it's a battle to get down the street - ahh nice lady where are you from...shake my hand...you want some beautiful jewlerry eh?...no go away!

Grace xx