Hi Everyone,

Apologies for the silence, we've been on an island tour where there was very little mobile reception or internet access. In fact, we only had electricity at certain times of the day! We're back on the main land now though so here's a quick overview of what we've been up to in Fiji:

Most of the time we spent in Nadi was pissing about trying to organise what to do but we finally decided to get a boat pass and book 3 hotels on different islands in the Yasawa Group. The boat itself was a huge catamaran but we had to catch small tender boats to the hotels which was really cool.

Nacula Island (Safe Landing Resort)
This was the nicest (and cheapest) hotel we stayed at. We had a beach-front bure which was just lovely. You could see the sea from the front and back windows. Just beautiful. We went on a village visit which was rather 'interesting' as we both believe that it was a bit of a facade for the tourists! I was asked to teach the hotel's guitar player some songs so I did and we played "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" together on the last night - complete with me doing a guitar solo at the end. Class. ;-) On the tender boat to the island there was only one other couple called Xavier and Tatiana ( http://lespecs.blogspot.com/ ). When we got to the hotel we found that there was only one couple called Klous and Cherie with their young daughter Valentina, staying there presently. This was really nice and we spent much of our time talking with these guys and playing with Valentina who's just crazy! All the folks we met were lovely and have such interesting stories to tell us.

Naviti Island (Korovou Eco Tour Resort)
This hotel was very different to the last. It was one of three on a long stretch of beach. The beach itself wasn't very nice as it had a dead coral reef which made swimming tricky. Our room was all wood-cladded inside with no fan so became really hot in the evening. Xavier and Tatiana stayed at the hotel next door and said that their room was worse because the roof was open so bugs could get in. We met a mother and daughter from Brazil at the hotel who were on our first boat called Hosana and Luana and we spent much time talking to them about Brazil. On the second day we trekked through the jungle/forest over the hills to a secluded beach called Honeymoon Beach which was just lovely and far nicer. This hotel was full of young piss-heads!

Wayalailai (Wayalailai Resort)
This hotel was really nice after we sorted out the room they were putting us in! They tried to put us in a bure that had a window missing and a huge hole in the front wall so bugs, birds, possibly even Dinosaurs could get in! We asked to pay the extra 20 quid and move to a lodge room up the hill, which happened to be the room next to Xavier and Tatiana. I think they're following us! ;-) We did a sunrise mountain trek at 4am but had no idea how hard it would be. The guide said flip-flops would be fine (as we didn't bring walking boots to the islands) but it was very very difficult indeed. The beach was much nicer than the one at Korovou which was cool. One point that really bugged me though: the village where the staff live is about 20 metres from the hotel reception yet they charge you $15 to go there with a guide! Weird.

So we're back on the mainland and we've bumped into everyone from Safe Landing again which is really nice. Last night we had dinner with Xavier and Tatiana as they're staying in the next room to us again (as I said, following us!!) after having Kava. Kava is a funny thing. It's the national drink of Fiji. Non-alcoholic but not-quite-legal in many countries it makes your tongue and lips go numb when you drink it. I hated the taste last week when I tried it but was determined to do it again. I managed one cup but Priti is far more hardcore than me! I'll just stick to my Fiji Bitter I think!

One other thing: Nadi is full of Indians! This means that you can get a really good chicken curry! I'm loving the food!

We're off to New Zealand on Saturday which will be interesting cos I'm certain it's going to be freezing there!

Ok, look after yourselves and we'll see you soon.

Love,
Tom and Priti