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The Catamaran journey was pretty cool, even though it was quite cloudy. We stopped off at every island on the way to our island in order to drop people off and collect people travelling north. The islands were all so different but all so gorgeous - I took so many photos!!!!!!
We arrived at our island 'TavewaIsland', one of the most northern 'YasawaIslands'. We transferred onto a tiny little boat and our luggage was thrown onto another tiny little boat. We then made our way across the choppy sea to our first stop 'Coral View Resort'. The weather wasn't so good and it was quite windy - I was convinced we were going to end up in the water! Thankfully we made it there safely and were greeted by Fijian women singing a welcome song to us. We jumped off the boat and were greeted personally (with a handshake and welcome) by every member of staff on the island. It was so lovely. We were handed a fresh mango juice whilst listening to drums being played.
We were greeted in the dining room by a lovely old man. He was so grateful that we had all decided to come and stay on his island and made us all feel very welcome and comfortable. We were given some fried rice for lunch and then taken to our rooms for the next two nights. Marisa and I had upgraded our trip so that we could have private rooms for our whole trip. We were taken to a gorgeous little 'Bure' with views overlooking the beach!!!! It was so cute and we had our own little garden.
After settling in, we had a little walk around the island. It was very windy and a little cooler than we had expected. However, we were still overwhelmed by the friendliness of the staff and the resort itself! There were hammocks positioned all along the front of the garden, overlooking the beach and palm trees everywhere! The resort had three pets. Two dogs and a turtle called Bertie!
At 4pm we were given a drum call to let us know that afternoon tea was ready. They had also made us homemade cake - yum!! It was delish! After scoffing down the cake we had a quick walk along the beach before having a relaxing swing in one of the hammocks! Bliss.
Our main meal was 'lovo', which basically means that the food is smoked underground - just like how the Maori's cook in New Zealand! It was them time for a few Fijian style cocktails and a few bottles of wine! We were invited to play some drinking games with some English guys and had a really good laugh. The night ended with us all holding/playing with a hermit crab?????!!!!!!!! Coco, one of the resort dogs, then walked Marisa and I home - how cute!
The next day we were a little rough! The weather was still very cloudy and windy so we couldn't do any sunbathing which we were desperate to do! Instead we just had a very chilled out and quiet day. It was nice to just relax for a day with no worries as New Zealand had been pretty full on!
The next morning we were up early for our trip to the 'SawailauCaves'. We jumped in 'Joe's Water Taxi' and were taken to the caves. OH MY GOD - how choppy was the water!!!! Where was the wind coming from?!!!!!!! I was petrified and held Marisa's hand through most of the boat trip!
We arrived at a little island and stepped onto the beach. There were some Fijian women sitting on the beach with jewellery they had made. It was all gorgeous! I bought myself a necklace and bracelet set made out of coconut, its beautiful! We then headed to the caves.
WOW, what a sight! We climbed down to the first cave and it was lovely. You could just see a massive pool in the middle of the cave. We jumped/dived into the pool and swam around the cave for a bit. It was open at the top so there was quite a bit of light getting in. Then our guide told us that we were going to a second cave. Nobody could see an entrance for a second cave though! He then explained how we would have to swim underwater to get to the second cave. How exciting!!!! He swam under the water and then underneath the cave we were in. He then shone his torch back at us so we could see which way to swim. It was really scary but I knew I had to do it. I took a massive breath and swam under the caves, I felt a tap on my head which meant I was to slowly rise to the top of the water. I opened my eyes and it was pitch black! The cave was enclosed and filled with water. Once everybody was in the second cave the guide took us for a swim around - it was so beautiful, it would've been ace to have an underwater camera. We stopped now and again on the edge of the cave for a rest as the water was so deep that we couldn't touch the floor of the cave!!! Then the guide decided to tell us about a 'Sea Monster' that lived in the cave. I know it was a load of rubbish but I couldn't help feeling a little freaked out!!!! (I was constantly looking around myself - hee hee).
We then got back on the boat and headed back to the resort. Dinner was waiting for us and then all of the staff came to the dining area to say goodbye. The wee old man that greeted us did a little speech for us. He was so lovely and the things he said to us and about us were so heartfelt and genuine. They then sang a 'farewell' song and I started to cry!!! I know, I know what a dafty! It was so lovely though and I was genuinely sad to leave the island. Plus, 2008 was a rubbish year for me and since then I cry at anything!!!!!! So not fair!!!!!!
The staff then walked us to our boat and each and every member of staff (including the gardener and cleaners and pets) gave us each a hug and thanked us for coming to their island. How lovely!!!!! Everyone was really sad to leave 'Coral View' as it was such a friendly and happy place and we were made to feel so welcome. We were all hoping that the next island would be just as nice………………………
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