Bula bula, as they say in Fiji, This is more like it. without a doubt the word paradise is not misused here, when the conditions are right, by which i mean sun shining, and on quiet beaches like the ones in the Yasawa islands, the look is total tropical picture postcard. The turquoise streaks in the oceans along with the white sands and the hills vegetated with palm and fruit trees make this place one beautiful and unspoilt place. Then there's the sunsets, food and the wildlife (sealife and landlife) which are all way high up there on the wow factor. Finally what really completes this overview is the people, I know and get that this tourism is their bread and butter and that without the tourism their island and village life is somewhat minimal, but they are not only the nicest people, who will go extremely far out of their own way to help you, but they are also the happiest I have ever met, they always have a smile and a welcoming 'Bula' to say to you (this also goes to those who don't work in the resorts) without any hesitation a great place to be especially after the hustle and bustle of the USA.
So.....We left LAX at about 0130 eventually, I say eventually because although we were all seated and ready to leave at 1130 we didn't manage to lift off until 0130, this was thanks to some dumbass passenger that decided they didn't want to fly at the last minute (we were doors closed and heading to the runway), so it was a turn around and back to the stand for them to find there bags and drop them off, I would have just opened the doors pushed if it were my choice!!!
Anyway, we eventually left and set off for a 10hr trip to Fiji, I personally am quite happy that it was a night flight as the 'entertainment' on the flight was pretty poor (you could only see the tv screen if you were slouched so low in the seat that your head was the same height as the arm rests and legs were kicking the heals of the person in front) the bonus and a first for us both is that we were in the 'upstairs', as it was a jumbo and we got the 2nd row too so great seats really.
We landed in Fiji at around 6am local time and arrived into the baggage hall with a rousing welcome song from 3 male locals with guitars, skirts and flowers in their hair putting a smile on the faces of all hearing it. Leaving the baggage hall and entering arrivals another 1st awaited us in the form of someone standing there with my name on a sign (between you and me, i think this has been a little travel dream of mine!!)
We sorted a local SIM card on the way through and made our way to the transport laid on by the hotel in Nadi bay we had booked. I was beginning to think that we were somehow executive travellers now, what with name signs and free cars laid on by the hotel and while languishing in my new found status we arrived at the hotel to the staff ALL coming out to the car to welcome us and introduce themselves, as my travel expectations began to change and evolve, I thought, oh how lovely if them.
All this new found pomp and executive belief all too soon came crashing down when I looked further around me and saw the state of the surroundings, the pool looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a decade with a deep set mold on the sides and the flies being the only things that have been swimming in there in over the past 12 months, some not doing too well and creating there own underwater mortuary. As we looked up we saw that the top floor was extremely fire damaged with the scorch marks stretching up to the roof. We were shown to our room which was in a building next to what was being used as a laundry area, next to the mortuary/pool and away from the main building, the room was large and of a good size and standard for the price we were paying, it wasn't until we turned the light on that we got a surprise, instead of a normal white light we were treated to a pink one covering the whole room, we both looked at each other and briefly questioned what other uses the room had!!
The beach and seas out front of the hotel was bit off expected Fijian standard as well with the general colour of both being brown !! On a plus side the staff were nice and as reported earlier, would go far out of their way to help you out, 'Mama', being the manager/owner of the hotel along with her ex Ozzie pilot husband Ted and their trusty group of locals help create a family atmosphere in a shabby and tired hotel. We spent 3 nights there and despite its visual disappointment, did enjoy it, as it not only allowed to us see and experience a bit of a local Fiji town, but also introduced us into the benefits if 'Fijitime'.
We left 'Mamas' and Nadi Bay on day 4 and took the Yasawa flyer boat 4hrs North to the top of the Yasawa group if islands and to a resort called Nabua Lodge, as we got off the big boat and into the smaller shuttle boat we could see the waters getting clearer and clearer, more and more blue and beautiful we got off the boat to a welcome guitar song from the staff then as we were sorting payments out got told we were being upgraded to a private bure and not the planned dorm, we were very happy customers indeed. We spent the next 5 nights at the resort with other guests coming and going each day all generally on either gap years or small holidays and either starting it ending their adventures. Most days we chilled out and read or walked up the hill for exercise and sunsets, then on the last full day we were told we could use the kayak free if charge because we had spent 5 days there and to boot gave a free trip, so we decided on the blue lagoon (1970's film location of same name) to do the next day. Kayaking was great and was as looks in brochures of 2 people in a yellow double kayak on turquoise waters, and blue lagoon was awe inspiring with typified white sands and crystal clear waters and the snorkelling was to due for with tropical fish if every size and colour, a real treat. We left there the next day and made our way to island no:2 called Long Beach Resort.