Hey guys,

Got to 'Nandi' on last Thursday. Wasn't the best start. Tim and my suitcases were broken at the airport, only the pull out bit, but now it's really awkward to try and drag them long distances.

We went straight from the airport to our hostel, Drift In, by taxi. Outside the hostel, we were immediately met by some of the family, who gave us a tour of the place. In the evening we learnt the customary way to drink in Fiji. The guys here drink Fiji bitter like its water! A bottle is opened and some is poured into a large shot glass, this is then passed to someone in the circle and then re-filled and passed to the next person. When they drink, everyone shares the same glass as a mark of respect.

We've been here only a week now and found we really like it here.It's a really nice place, warm all year. The people are so friendly too, everyone passing in the street says 'Bula' to each other - 'Hello' or 'Cheer's.The only time we felt a bit uncomfortable was after a trip to the town. We were walking around, doing a bit of shopping and after leaving a shop a guy started to talk to us. He offered to take us to the Fiji market, selling only Fiji made products, nothing Indian. So we agreed and started to follow him down the road, and then noticed him speedily cross the road and head off too fast to follow. Turns out the guy on the corner, wearing what looked like a long white skirt was a police officer and told the guy to back off and leave us alone. That's the only time though, Fiji people are so friendly, it can be slightly difficult for tourists to know when not to talk to them.

There is a large family and village community also. In the villages, the only person able to wear a hat is the chief.

The drivers are a bit manic out here. I was asking a taxi driver a question and he literally turned around to look and talk to me and ignored the road; the also overtake on blind corners and think nothings of trying to overtake buses on a narrow road. Apparently the bus drivers are just as bad.

We have joined in the Kava ceremonies - Tim was even chief of one. Kava is a natural narcotic, legal in Fiji, Oz, Nz and it is legal for a Fijian to take it into England.. but it's illegal everywhere else! It comes from the root of a plant. The powder is then mixed in what can only be described as a dishcloth, in a large wooden bowl with water. It looks and tastes like muddy water but you don't half feel relaxed after a 3-4 hour session and the next day too!

We took a one day cruise around the Islands and go to see how small some of them were. On Southsea Island, people can literally shout from one side of the island to someone on the other side, it's that small! We stopped off for the day on Mana Island. Had a beautiful day of sunshine, swimming in the pool, relaxing on the white sand beach, snorkeling and lots of relaxing.

On Sunday, the day of rest, a bunch of us hired a van and took a trip out to Natadola Beach - voted the 7th best beach in the world by Lonely Planet, apparently. Again, the driver was a bit crazy and the van was totally pimped out on the inside, with a patterned red carpet all over it! Very nice beach, beautiful again.

Looking forward to the States now!! :D Just about to grab some food at the hostel and then we are off to the ariport. 10 hour flight tonight and then we get to 'do Thursday' all again! Sweet!

Love Ro and Tim xx