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Bula from Fiji!!!
so last we left you we were in Melbourne about to drop off the car. Tuesday morning we woke early to do that, then spent the day walking around Melbourne city centre, and booked our activities for wednesday:
Wine Tasting! Another early start to catch the minibus to the Yarra Valley, to taste wine from 4 vineyards, starting with De Bortoli, where we got to try the famous Noble One sweet wine (especiallyfor Yvette's sweet tooth!) Then it was onto Tarrawarra Estate for a gourmet lunch and more wine samples. Next to Yering Station which included a taste of a $65 reserve shiraz - the best taste all day (in tom's eyes anyway!), and also a fortified red, similar to port but a bit sweeter (therefore yvette thinks nicer!). After that we moved on to Domaine Chandon, the Ozzie arm of Moet and Chandon, for a tour of some of the processes they use to make sparkling wine, and a taste of a sparkling shiraz - much better than champagne anyday! After that lot, we both felt a little lightheaded, especially as the drinking started at 10.30 am and included tastes of 6 or 8 wines in each place!
On Thursday we spent the time going up the Rialto Tower for a 55th storey view of the city, and then another look around town, and the friday was spent relaxing before the flight in the evening...
Which meant that by saturday morning we had left the cold weather behind in victoria and landed in beautiful Fiji!!!After transferring to the hotel, and having to wait for the room (by the pool and on hammocks, so can't complain) we got in and rested after the 5 hour flight. The rest of the day was again spent in hammocks or on sun loungers, enjoying the nice warm temperatures and the sea views.
On Sunday we had a special day to celebrate Yvette's birthday, with a few phone calls from family and friends, and then spent another relaxing day taking in the seaside air, the sun and the pool and hammocks.
On Monday we went on a day trip to Mystery Island (Tivua Island) with a beautiful white beach with clear water. On the trip out to the island we experienced our first Kava Ceremony (a welcome ceremony where everyone sits around and drinks the traditional drink of Fiji, made from crushed paper tree root). The morning was spent snorkelling, then after a bbq buffet lunch and a demonstation of how to crack open coconuts with your hands, we took a canoe out on the open seas to explore the island. Then after circumnavigating the island by foot, it was time to sail home again, for another swim in the pool under the stars and moon...
Today we have come into Nadi town for another Kava ceremony (Tom was the Chief, and Yvette Mrs Chief!!!!) and a spot of shopping, before going back to the hotel, for i'm sure some more time relaxing in hammocks and in the pool. I think you must have an idea of the relaxing time to be had in Fiji by now, what the Fijians call Fiji-time (comparable to Ghana Maybe Time).
Anyway, must be off to catch the bus, will keep you updated with details of our next adventure (perhaps some watersports?!!?)
Keep the messages coming, take care,
Yvette and Tom
xx
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