Fiji- A Great Getaway

 

On Saturday morning Dec 3rd, we arrived at the Fiji airport.  It was only 5:30 am, but they still had a Band to greet us.  We had to wait until 7:00 for the grocery stores to open, the the Malolo Cat office that would be transporting us to the island of Malolo Lei Lei to our resort, the Malolo Lei Lei Lagoon Resort was open Rosa welcomed us with a flower for my hair.

 

 

 

After a trip to the grocery and to see the town of Nadi, we boarded a bus to the Marina to disembark to our island vacation.

The Malolo Cat II took us for the hour trip to the island.

 

 

First view of our home for the week.

 

It was everything Bob and I wanted, no phone, no inter-net, and no TV.  As a matter of fact, there wasn’t even a microwave.  (we could have had inter-net at $5 for 30 minutes, but we opted not to even get on)  The computer was strictly to save pictures.  and that we did!!!!

The beauty has to be seen, not described.  It was early Saturday when we got to the resort and we couldn’t check in yet, but we were able to explore and get the layout for the week. 

Greeted with a fresh coconut.

 

 

Not right on the water, but close enough. Our bure is the one behind the trees.  Still only a short walk down to the beach.

For a nominal charge of $35 fijan money (approx. $23 US) each, we had use of the Kayaks, Windsurfer, and two snorkel trips a day with snorkel equipment for the week.  That wasn’t a bad deal.  There was a nice restaurant (Dick’s) and the café at the resort. 

Sunday morning at 9:00 am, we headed out on our first snorkel trip and our first experience of the South Pacific waters.

 

 

 

 

The first think we noticed was the color of the coral.  There wasn’t some of the coral that we were used to seeing, but it was colorful and in good shape. 

The fish were really friendly and got really really close up.

 

 

After snorkeling, we decided to walk the perimeter of the island, word was that you could walk it in an hour.  Well, they lied, or they took it a a fast clip.  2 1/2 hours later, we’re only 2/3rd of the way around so we cut thru the airport back to Muscat Cove Resort (they actually managed our timeshare resort so we had all their amenities). A stop to recover was in order at Dick’s.  Two Fiji Beers for our time.

At the airport, we had picked up duty free wine to have in our room, so we relaxed at the beach and had a couple of glasses before going over to  Dick’s for dinner.  Forgot to tell you that from our bure to the main resort was between 1/4 to 1/2 mile.  We got in plenty of walking.

On Monday, I went Sport Fishing, but only one fish was caught and not by me.

 

Bob went snorkeling while I fished and then in the afternoon, we both went snorkeling again.  If you get the picture, we snorkeled everyday at least once. 

Pizza and Wine for dinner, then a good night’s sleep.  No air conditioners in the bure, but there was enough breeze most nights not to be uncomfortable.  We did have to keep bug spray on, but didn’t get eat up as much as Belize last year. 

On Tuesday, we kayaked around the perimeter of the island.  This took approx.  3 1/2 hours.  I think we did something wrong, when we walked around the island, we had to wade in water at places due to high tide and then when we kayaked, we had to drag the kayaks during low tide. 

Kayaking in Fiji at low tide.

Tuesday afternoon, we took the boat and tour to the SeaShell Village and Woodcarvers’ Village.  The Fijians want you to have your knees covered or at least long shorts and no bare shoulders.  They also do not want you to wear a hat to their village, it’s a show of disrepect. 

The Chief’s Bure is in the background, They wouldn’t allow you to get any closer.

Bob went diving on Wednesday and I spent a couple of hours at the spa.  Facial and Deep Tissue Massage.  Both of us enjoyed the day. and of course an afternoon snorkel.

Thursday was a trip on the Take a Break Cat.  Supposed to see dolphins and snorkel, No dolphins, but lots of snorkeling.

Fish Feeding Frenzy

That evening was the Pig Roast and Celebration at Dick’s.

  The pig was good with salads and veggies to go with it.   There’s plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in Fiji. We had entertainment by the locals.

 

 

 

 

 

On Friday, we took the Island Hop to Treasure Island Resort, Beachcomber’s Resort, and Castaway.  It was windy and rough in the small boat we traveled on to the different islands.  I will say that each place had it’s own atmosphere.  The schoolees, Aussie seniors that had just graduated, were all over the other resorts, so we’re lucky they were banded from our resort.  Not up until noon and then hung over until they started drinking again.  We could hear the music until 3 or 4 in the morning, but only slightly.

 

 

iguana at Treasure Island Resort    

 

Baby Turtles at Turtle Pond at Treasure Island

Saturday we didn’t leave the resort until 4:00 pm so we had plenty of time to GUESS WHAT?   Snorkel  

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

With this Final Picture, we say Happy Trails until our next trip and

Merry Christmas!!!!