I am writing “now” at 10am Saturday June 3rd. Last day in Fiji 🇫🇯 :(((
That boat will take me away from here at 2pm for the 30 minute ride back to Taveuni island. I have 2 bars of LTE in the hammock but only have 19% left on phone, will write until 1% or done …
I ended my last blog about Thursday morning hikes at the Matei airport where I was waiting for my car to the dock to catch boat to Maqai.
Cutest little airport
My driver showed up exactly at 2pm and we had a pleasant 10 minute drive to “dock”. The road was paved for the first 2 miles and then became good dirt road. Passed some nice looking small resorts and homes.
We passed a half dozen cattle roped to trees. I assumed and the driver confirmed it was instead of fencing large areas. He said that he himself had 8 cattle and each day moved them to different trees to graze on property rented from owners. It takes about 5 years from calf to meat. It is a New Zealand breed of cattle.
The ropes were around 20 feet long so nice sized dining area. We had to wait about 20 minutes for the boat to arrive. The small beach next to us seemed like a perfect place to sit under the shade tree all day, every day, forever…The quote from “Jaws” came to mind .. “I think we need a bigger boat!” For a 30 minute trip across open ocean ….
The afternoon wind had picked up and ocean was a little choppy but waves not too bad. I shot some GoPro video but haven’t edited them yet. Here are just some photos.
The boat had to navigate thru the reefs and I waded out thru 2 feet of water to the beach. The staff was singing and gave me a lei-crown and a Coconut to drink!
And …. If u didn’t notice in photo above , off to left is Suki “resort dog”!
Who’s my precious baby? YOU are ….
The staff brought my luggage from the boat to my Bure (Chili 1). They have 10 Bures here. Maximum capacity of resort is 25. Peak surfing conditions on the reef a mile offshore is during Nov/Dec or July.
This was a bigger one that could accommodate a family of 4. No A/C but fans and ocean breezes made it ok for me at night but some people might have found it a little oppressively jungle hot 🙂 The second night was cooler for some reason.
Damn. 1% battery. Stopping!
And I’m back (after 5 hour break), I packed, had nice lunch, showered, was sung to at a farewell ceremony for me and the indo-Fijian couple who are leaving today also. It was then a 30 minute boat ride thru rough seas (and heavy rain last 10 minutes), a 20 minute drive to airport and then a 90 minute flight to the international airport on the big island. Customs and security were fast and polite and I have 4 hours until plane to LA boards.
I had a brief orientation by Cathy, the resorts manager and met the only others staying at the resort, a nice couple from Boulder, CO here for their 20th wedding anniversary while their parents watch their 2 kids (9,11). They don’t even Surf, had just heard that it was one of the most amazing places to stay in Fiji (they were visiting several islands for a few days each).
Don’t tell Fifa The big open air pavilion was the site for meals, Kava ceremonies, etc. There was coffee or tea and snacks always ready. In addition to surfing they had kayaks, SUPs, snorkeling off beach or they would take u in boat to other snorkeling areas or beaches for picnics, etc. Dinner wasn’t until 6 so I explored the beach and tried out the hammock. It was VERY comfortable. The sun was setting on another day in Paradise and the moon was almost full. There were bats also! Not as large or numerous as at Garden Island resort but at least 12 inch wingspans and loud screeches. Pre-dinner music session. I had to ask what the deal was when he played “Country Road” by John Denver, same as the musician at Paradise Resort. He laughed and said that was his cousin who taught him to play!
Great food and they sang a happy anniversary song 🙂
I walked to the beach after dinner and even with an almost full moon there were lots of stars to see. I have looked for the Southern Cross before when near equator without any luck but tonight…. Very excited. It was the traditional night navigation aid in Southern Hemisphere as they can’t see the North Star. Venus was huge and bright also. I passed on the Kava as I was supposed to be ready to head out on boat to surf the distant reef at 6am.
Very good article. I tried it one night at Paradise Resort but really felt nothing, I think they make it weak there for tourists. Basin to wash sand off feetI was lucky to spot this big toad in the dark, would have been bad to step on him!Turn town service while I was at dinner. Mosquito netting for bed but all windows screened and I saw only one or two mosquitoes in room.
Your blog brought back so many memories, David. It is truly a special place and the Fijians are such a warm and welcoming people!