Mar 07

Hi everyone. I’m back in Nadi now and I thought I’d take advantage of the fast connection and put some more pictures up and write a little more about Fiji before I forget it all!

I mentioned previously about drinking Kava with the locals and think I should tell you all a little more about it. I’ve been to several different ceremonies now and they’ve all been really enjoyable in one way or another, even that dodgy ‘free’ one! Generally you sit down cross legged on a bamboo mat whilst the host prepares the Kava in a big wooden bowl. The Kava itself is a root plant which is dried and then mix with water. They put the powdered Kava root into a cotton sack which is used as a filter when it's mixed with the water. It turns into a muddy brown liquid that, quite honestly, does not taste good. It’s then dished out in wooden cups – either low, middle or hide tide for small medium or large, and is presented to everyone in the circle. They say ‘Bula!’ and clap once, everyone else then shouts ‘Bula!’ and claps three times. You’re supposed to down it in one… but it’s not easy because the cups are quite big and it tastes like dish water! Once you’ve drank everyone shouts ‘Matha Saka’ and claps three more times. It’s a great social event, everyone just comes and goes as they like – it’s really relaxed and informal and great fun. If you drink enough throughout the night, the Kava makes your tongue go numb, and if you drink too much you can hallucinate!

The Fijian’s are amazing people. Everyone that I’ve met has been really friendly and welcoming. They are always smiling and singing or dancing.
They're always really polite and want to know where you’re from and what it’s like there. I’m going to miss their hospitality when I leave. They have something called ‘Fiji-time’ here, which is basically the excuse they use when something is late or going to take longer than expected. Normally that would really irritate me, but here it doesn’t, it’s just… charming I suppose.

Since being in Fiji I’ve met loads of great people, but in Raki Raki inparticular there were a group of people that I got on with really well. Some were doing a similar thing to me, others just staying in Fiji for a couple of months as a one off. We had a wicked time together and shared some great nights around the Kava bowl!

I’m going to miss them… and Fiji… but I’m really looking forward to New Zealand. Every person that I’ve spoken to, without fail, has said that New Zealand is amazing and that I’m going to have the time of my life. This time tomorrow I’ll be there – and I can’t wait!

Here are a few extra pictures of my time here:

These are my friends Amanda and Thomas. Thomas is getting a Fijian haircut. Check out the view from the Dorms - not bad eh?

I said in the last post that the roads were flooded becasue of the rain, this was typical on the journey up to the north.

This is the boat transfer when travelling between the outer islands. You can see the water taxis from the little resorts - they just throw your bag on, you jumped in and then get sped off. Wicked.

Not much to say... just a really big shell that I found on the beach. Big isn't it?

Bye!