Fiji time

Our bure by the sea

Yesterday we flew from Auckland to Fiji where we will spend christmas :-)

Fiji is made up of 333 islands, we are staying on the Coral coast of Viti Letu, which is the main land, for a few days then moving on to one of the much smaller islands, off the West coast, after that for a couple more days.

Sunset on arrival in Fiji

Our lodgings here are called Beach Cocomo, it only has two wooden huts (known as Bures here) about 15ft back from the Pacific Ocean, and a little "cafe" and that is it. It is run by a Korean lady and a Japanese surf instructor who have lived here for 20+ years, they really can't do enough for us. The other bure has an American couple staying who keep themselves to thenselves so it feels like we're here alone most of the time.

I say "cafe" because they don't serve drinks, it's BYO everything except water, and there is no menu... You tell them the day before what meals you will be here for, They ask what your dietary requirements are and then they provide some delicious Korean/Japanese/Fijian dishes at set time in a little Palm roofed bamboo dining area with sand floor. Some of the dishes are a bit odd (to our palate at least) but we've tried it all; J even tried sushi for the first time and survived!

The kava ceremony

We took a trip inland today to the Navua river. We were granted permission to visit a traditional Fijian village there, the chief of the village has to accept you before you can enter and a Kava ceremony then proceeds.

The kava ceremony involves using a root vegetable and mixing it with water to produce this grey/brown muddy looking liquid. The kava is said to be alcohol free but have similar effects on the body, it makes your lips tingle instantly! It tastes absolutely rank though!

After that we were given lunch there and invited to see some traditional Fijian crafts being made, and see the preschool in the village too... Very different to Little Acorns!!

We then took a long boat ride upriver to an inlet where the biggest waterfall we have seen yet lay. The force of the water entering the pool was so strong it was impossible to get too close but at the other side of the pool it was great.

Makeshift xmas tree :-)

We took the slow option of the bamboo raft back. The guides said it only took them half hour to build it hehe! They kind of push it along like a gondola... Hard work!

So the kids are in bed, our makeshift tree is decorated and we are sat out on the veranda listening to the ocean, waiting to see if Santa will find us in Fiji :-)

(And yes, fiji has no decent wifi so pics on the iPhone only again. Will update the pics when can xx)