Last Day on the island

We tidied up today and got packed, ready to leave Octopus resort- perfect weather of course!!! We have had all weathers while here which was actually quite neat, sun, cloud (cooler) blustery wind, rain and back to the sun! Cant complain.

We all went over the hill on a steep track yesterday to the village church service (me clinging on Graemes arm cos of my knee!) in the pouring rain- meant we were all nice and cool when we got there – seriously!. The service included a christening which was great and we had been talked through the ceremony beforehand as it is all in Fijian.
The church choir was out of this world- they have won competitions all over the yasawa islands…. Was so powerful it moved me almost to tears, but I was staunch and swallowed it down of course!


Today we lay around the pool after we checked out of our rooms- the girls have really enjoyed the dorm- the 3 girls all decided to tke part in the flax basket weaving session.
Two hours later they have a pretty impressive basket each, with lots of help from their ever patient Fijian teacher man ( complete with his avaiator sunnies!) He then tells them that he can knock off one of these baskets in 3 mins- from scratch!!!!

At 3pm we caught the big yasawa flyer boat back to the mainland Took 2 ¼ hours, seemed very slow cos we were going back and it was pretty smelly inside the cabin!!

Got back and had true air conditioning in the bus- no windows!! It was great. Now back at the mercure hotel, we have had a wonderful dinner (with no sand under our feet for the 1st time in a week!) and the girls are already in bed (8.15pm!).

Tomorrow we are going into Nadi as the older 2 girls want to shop with their remaining money and have a go at bartering. They also want to go to one of the two Mc Donalds, so we will walk down to that then off to the airport.

We will arrive home at midnight-ish tomorrow night, in Auckland. Bula to a great holiday!

Rest of the Days!

Hi all,
well not sure what the date is, but know that it is Saturday at least- love 'Fiji time' !!

We have not done a lot, but the 2 older girls also had another first- they had their first kava ceremony, where you learn to clap in the right places and drink muddy kava water, sieved through pantyhose!!!! Graeme was elected the spokesman, so had control of how much everyone drank, he let them off with a normal half coconut size bowl rather than the 'tsunami' size bowl hahaha!!!

We moved bures today as pre-arranged, as a couple from Kerikeri we know were already booked in our best end bure from today. Quite interesting to get a new view too.

We have two more days here then back to the mainland for a day so the girls can shop. They are enjoying the dorm- it is pretty big and they have met some really nice people, so good experience for them.

Thats about it for now- send us a cooment or two so we know what is happening in the 'big' world!! Cya

Octopus Resort days 2 & 3

Well we are all well enscounsed in island life, bikinis, suntan lotion and lots of food!!

We cant put photos on here as they have strict rules re using USB sticks, so will need to add these when we get back to Nadi.

We all laxed around yesterday, lay in the sun and clouds- lovely and warm though. We took the girls out for a snorkel-

Amber has had a few firsts- 1st international flight, first snorkel. She did admirably and didnt suck when she should have been blowing (with the snorkel!!)

We are all having lots of fun and today we took them all out for a boat trip round to the local school, where the island kids all board during the week. We got to visit their classrooms, talk to them and we all took some gifts for them as well which they will enjoy. Their standard of living is a bit of a shock for the girls, the beds in the dorms are made out of bits of wood, some dont have mattresses and there are holes (big) in the floor. Good for our lot to see so they appreciate how they live at home.

We then got to snorkel out in the bay and the girls all sat out on the roof of the boat which was cool.

Amber and Sam are booked for massages tomorrow which they are keen on and are working hard on their tans!!

Thats about it for now- its beer-o-clock!
Cya

Day 1- Auckland-> Nadi Fiji

We are here!!!

A long day in queues but no problems really (yes Graeme relax, relax) Left NZ in fog and arrived after a good flight (Ali WIlliams sitting further up in the plane!) and into 29C hot sunny weather.

We acclimatised (took our jackets off) got the shuttle driver to stop on the way to the hotel at the supermarket for drinks- it helps to have 2 pretty girls with us??!! then into our rooms, bikinis and out by the pool- aaahhh fantastic!

Then onto our balcony at the Mercure for pre dinner drinks and off to the restaurant for a great laid back meal in the open air. Couldnt get better. Graeme has managed quite a stack of alcohol, Sam and Amber had midori's and a few fiji bitter beers and we had a lovely night.

The bar here has the ball "Wilson" from the movie Castaway with Tom Hanks which was filmed in Fiji and Danni got to hold him for the photo included in our pics!

Now off to lax out in our two rooms (hmmm) and we are off on the boat tomorrow at 7.30 am for the yasawa islands and Octopus resort.

CYa

Heading to Fiji- Octopus Resort

We are off to Fiji tomorrow- YAYYYYYYYYY!! But to be fair, the weather at home is beautiful and sunny today, so hope it follows us!

This week has been a bit crazy but all in a good cause. We have sold our house, bought a home and 30 acres, found a new solicitor and accountant and are unconditional on both properties, in between working!! SUCH a relief- all compliments to Shaun Cosgrave who moved heaven and earth to do all house sales and finish it up in 2 days!

Life is now looking rosier in a lot of ways, so we will go and relax now. (Cant do much else unfortunately with Denise's knee damage from the accident in Vanuatu) However, we will endure Haha!!!!!

Will attempt to post from the Yasawa islands, all going well as we enjoy keeping a diary of our trips- you forget so much once you are home.

Remember if you want to leave us a comment, just click on the blue word 'comments' under the days post and you can either log on if you belong to blogspot, otherwise just click on anonymous and remember to write your name at the end!!

Cya :-)