Adam's Visit: Fiji

Friday morning we made sure to be at the airport on-time. We got there 2 hours early, and it's a good thing because the check-in line was enormous. We met an older couple from Melbourne and chatted with them during the wait. On the flight we had the really cool fortune of sitting next to one of the top 40 best surfers in the world! There were several surfers on the flight to Adam scoped out that his name was Luke Monro.

We got into Nadi at night. I got a little worried about the quality of the hotel I had reserved online. Sometimes you can't really tell by judging things online alone, and I was skeptical since it was such an unfamiliar country. We shuttled over and it turned out to be just fine. The resort had two pools, two restaurants, live music all day and night, a cinema, a game room, library, shop and Internet cafe. We were set for a nice weekend.

After checking in that night we had dinner and drinks, then called it a night. Saturday morning we laid out all day by the pool, soaking up that good warm sun, and sipping on some tropical beverages. Mmm, they were so good! That afternoon we booked our excursions for the rest of our time in Fiji.

For dinner we taxied down to Port Denarau for the Hard Rock Cafe Fiji. Oh, man did we get full that night! I'm talking, 'slow down, I can barely walk' full! Haha, the nachos and burgers and pasta were SO delicious, though! It was nice to get have some true American food, too. That night there was a wedding reception that entertained us a bit, haha. Interesting location for a wedding reception, if you ask me.

That night we watched 21 at the cinema. Somehow the people putting on the movies got their hands on films before they were even in theaters. Hmmm... Oh, well. It was a good flick. Kevin Spacey's character kind of pissed me off, but that was the intended effect. I really liked the main character - he did a good job playing his part. I wasn't a fan of the lack of character development throughout the movie for the other characters, however.

Sunday through the day we laid out again. I had a yummy pina colada while Adam tried some Fijian beer. We hopped online briefly for some things, too.

That evening we shuttled down to Port Denarau to go on a sunset dinner cruise to First Landing Bay (the bay has an island in the shape of a huge foot to symbolize the first landing in Fiji). Of course, it was overcast that evening, haha, but that didn't keep us from having a great time. On the cruise to the bay we were entertained with Fijian singing and wine. At the bay we were "greeted" by traditional Fijians, and ushered to the dining hall. The food was absolutely delicious! Adam and I ordered a huge drink that was served in a coconut! Throughout the dinner there were several traditional Fijian dances (knee-shaking, spear dances and hula dancing) that were very cool. After nightfall we went outdoors to watch the Fijian Fire dancing - very cool! Also, there were several newly-wed couples and a birthday - the Fijians had everyone come up and they taught us some Fijian dance moves - it was hysterically funny! After that we had dessert and watched a bit of a hermit crab race. On the cruise back to Port Denarau we had Fijian singing, again - they sang Isa Lei Lai (the song my grandpa sang to me and my cousins while we were growing up - he learned it while serving as a nurse in WWII in Fiji). It was so cool! I really enjoyed that part of the trip. And, I'll never forget all of the stars we saw that night. I had NEVER seen so many at night - it was breath-taking.

Monday was our last full day in Fiji, and we went on a day cruise to an island called Tivua. Again, we shuttled to Port Denarau, and we got on bard a really cool sail ship (unfortunately they didn't use the sails that day). The ship ride to the island was so much fun! We got some great sun, they served tea and cookies (morning tea), we enjoyed more Fijian singing and music, and tried some Kava (basically dirty water that makes your mouth go numb - after several drinks it will make you very relaxed and happy, but it's not alcoholic). While at the island there was an open bar of which I took water, haha. Adam made good use of the beer, though. We had lunch (scrumptious pineapple!!!), and laid out for a while. THIS was when we got burnt, haha. The last day, and we went home with burns. It was bound to happen. The most fun of the day was snorkeling along the Great Barrier Reef! It was so colorful, and we swam with the fish! At one point I almost knocked into some coral because the tide was so low, but Adam helped me back away from it without being burned. On the way back to Port Denarau we had more tea and cookies (afternoon tea), and more music and singing. It was a lovely day!

That night we did some souvenir shopping and had Hard Rock Cafe again for dinner - this time we didn't overeat, haha. When we got back to Nadi we got online for a bit, then watched another movie at the cinema, but I can't remember what it was for some reason? (Adam, help me out?)

Tuesday we packed up and headed to the airport. It was unfortunate and unavoidable that my flight left at 11a and his left that evening. I was really sad about that, but it was the only option. We had breakfast together and said our good-byes.

Adam, thank you so much for visiting me in Australia. Those three weeks were three of the best weeks I've ever had, and I'll never forget all of the fun times we had together here. I love you!

-Amanda