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Fiji - We flew in on the evening of the 4th and i stayed 2 nights on the mainland before heading to Mana (magic) Island, where my friend Sarah who i met glacier treking in Nz and her mate Russell were staying. As you arrive you couldn't be made to feel more welcome. I stayed on Mana for the whole 2 weeks except for 2 nights where i went to Bounty island with 2 lovely Swedish girls. Whilst on Bounty we took out a hobie cat but there was no wind so we kayaked around the island instead. I only just made it as my Kayak began to sink!
When i returned to Mana it certainly felt less luxury but i soon realised that although basic - it was far more relaxed, friendly and fun. The accomodation was part of the local village so there was a definate community feel. The 12 bed dorm i was in was like a barn - it was FULL of wildlife. I was in the shower one evening and something fell on my face - when i flicked it off it was the HUGEST black hairy spider ever. I was so shocked i couldn't even scream!! We saw different people come and go over the two weeks but towards the end we had met some really cool people and there was quite a big group of us. We became known to the staff as the "locals" because we had been there so long and we were always told to sing the welcome song to new arrivals!
The weather in the second week was not so great - it rained everyday and that tan went out the window! One evening we decided to book the sandbank party trip. 13 of us went in a boat to a tiny sand bank in the middle of the sea but the tide was rising and it was too rough to get off the boat. Instead we took everything to an empty beach and partied until 3am. It was meant to be an all nighter but a storm came across so just as it started bucketing it down we packed everything up and set off back to Ratu Kini's (hostel). After many Fiji beers no one thought about the danger of 13Â boozy people in a little boat in a storm, but "boatman" ensured we made it back safe and sound!!
The evening's at Ratu Kini's were a highlight. The staff often performed dancing at 8pm and then the party started after that and the staff joined us. They could all dance, sing, play guitar and sports so well but i guess thats because it's what they do all day everyday! Classic Fiji time.
Eventually i had to leave the island and i was really sad to be going. I guess it is somewhere i will have to return to... and try to get the same people back there! When i left i felt almost home sick for a few days.
We flew minus 18 hours to LA and i got to live last wednesday twice! We stayed in a hostel very close to Venice beach and the afternoon we arrived we walked right along the beach to Santa Monica where we had a BIG burger for dinner and got excited about all the shops that were there! It felt very sureal to be in California but was how i had imagined it to be. The following day we took the bus to Santa Monica and looked in lots of shops. Sara brought some lovely clothes and i made a list in my head of everything to get when i go back there in June. I can't believe how much cheaped things are. What we pay in GBP is what the cost seems to be in dollars! Just as well i have the credit card i think! The following day we had a relaxed one and went out for last meal together. That evening i flew to Washington DC and connected with my flight to Cancun. I arrived in Mexico about midday on saturday and got a bus to Playa del Carmen. I am staying here with friends and being well looked after. Yesterday i slept until lunch time so think my body clock is just adjusting...as well as recovering from Fiji probably!!
On Sunday we all went over to Cozumel Island and hired a retro VW convertible beetle - very cool apart from the fact that Rohan said the brakes were pretty bad! It was a great day, we snorkelled and swum in turquoise water.
Today i have had a relaxed one - took a strole down 5th street, the main shopping street here and then went to the part of the beach with lots of sun loungers and umbrellas. Got in a good few hours of sun baking before the cloud came over. Hoping it will be clear again tomorrow.
So think that's everything up to date briefly. Tour through Central starts on sunday so will update again soon. Love to all x
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