Fiji Day #1 12/25/22 - Bula & Merry Christmas! Actually, our travels started on 12/23 in PHL (Philadelphia) > DFW (Dallas) > AKL (Auckland) > NAN (Fiji). We left during a bomb cyclone in Philly and roughly 24.5 hours later we arrived here in Fiji. We’re floating somewhere in the great Pacific Ocean just outside the Polynesian Triangle slightly west in Melanesia. Tired but excited. We’re living on excitement and anticipation! Our carryons finally ‘arrived’. Just waiting on my one checked bag or else I’m living the next 23 days in a few T-shirts, some shorts and my hikers! Tonight, we’re enjoying our view of the Pacific ocean, Christmas turkey, fire dancers and some cold Fiji Gold beer. Tomorrow, we begin the adventure in earnest. Thanks to everyone back home for the wonderful texts and social media posts! So very grateful this is finally our current experience! As Fijians like to say: Vinaka vaka levu. Sota tale. With love, Dad & Daughter #thisisus3060#liveyourdash A Salad Bowl Full of Kava & Community Up country along the Sigatoka River far away from the tourism of the Coral Coast is where Lauren and I spent our first full day in Fiji. Named the “Salad Bowl” for its fertile valley-like setting amongst the mountainous area of Fiji the locals harvest much of the country’s fresh produce from this jaw dropping beautiful topography. We rode in a motorized safari boat snaking our way up the Sigatoka River passing kids playing in the water, adults riding horses along the banks all waving and shouting “Bula” as we passed by. Their white toothy smiles in sharp contrast to the brown murky water they could not be any happier! We made landfall at Nalebaleba Village. Over the next two and a half hours we gathered in the village community house alongside the Chief, elders, women and children enjoying a traditional Kava ceremony. Kava is the traditional drink of Fiji. Made from the crushed root of the yaqona plant. It is served in a large communal bowl as part of the traditional kava ceremony. When drunk, it creates a pleasant, numb feeling around the mouth, lips and tongue, as well as a sense of calm and relaxation. Sitting cross-legged behind the villagers, first the men, then the women we all tried the Kava. We then heard stories of their past translated into English by Simon one of the village elders. During the ceremony locals sang and played guitars, women showed us how to dance, while kids outside ‘exploded’ homemade (fireworks) through handmade bamboo shoots. We sat alongside the villagers enjoying local food and drink while the celebration engulfed us. Forever linked to our new friends. We Americans “talk” about the simple life….this is really it. Maybe it was the Kava ‘talking’ but one could not help but reflect on the human “reminders” of sharing, kindness and togetherness our brief Village experience taught us tourists! While sitting at the Ghostship Bar & Grille enjoying our first sunset, reflecting on our unique experience. Lauren and I agreed….this was the perfect way to start our travels around the South Pacific. Bula vinaka….friends. #thisisus3060#liveyourdash No Bad Boat Days Today Lauren and I set sail from Denarau Island to explore the Mamanuca islands of Fiji (Nadi/Suva) which included Mana, Monu and Modriki. Modriki Island was where the Tom Hanks 2000 movie Cast Away was filmed. Captain Paul joked to our group of 20 tourists - “We get you back to Denarau around 4:30 barring any problems with the boat. Of course, that is “No Worries, No Hurries” Fiji time about 7:30? Okay?” We all laughed. Spirits were high, sun was shining, Fiji Gold beer was flowing….when the engine suddenly stalled. For the next two hours we crawled to Mana Island. Beautiful sandbar atoll near where Survivor Fiji 14 was filmed in 2006. We enjoyed snorkeling the turquoise waters and exploring the powder white sandbar, pristine reef and untouched landscapes waiting for our “survivor” (rescue) boat to arrive. Lunch consisted of Fijian “lovo” meal cooked in an underground oven. Enjoying this most beautiful natural setting with not a care in the world was certainly not horrible. We eventually arrived at Modriki Island on Boat #2 complete with a raucous sound system and more beer. Being stranded in the South Pacific is hard work! Our guide led the group on a walking tour of Modriki showing us where certain scenes of the movie took place as he was present during the filming with his grandmother living on nearby Monu Island. Amazing experience to conclude our time in Fiji! One question - How was Tom Hanks marooned on Modriki Island for nearly four years when I was able to text Marie and Brian a selfie of Lauren and I from this same movie location? “Don’t worry Wilson, I’ll do all the paddling. You just hang on.” Bula! Scott & Lauren #thisisus3060#liveyourdash
