Fiji: The main island

After 3 days of relaxation by the pool, it was time to get exploring! We opted for a local touring company offering a half-day tour of Nadi on the main island. As it turned out the only other people on the tour that afternoon was a young couple from New Zealand, so it made for an almost private tour!

The day began with a pick-up from the island of Denarau, where we were staying. Now, this island use to be a mangrove swamp and was filled by a Japanese company to be a resort island, hence the reason why we wanted to get off of it to see the real deal. Heading inland we entered Nadi, whizzing past local communities and different farms such as sugarcane and tobacco. 

Our first stop was to what is believed to be the first landing place of the Fijian's ancestors. Fijian's believe that their ancestors came on boats from Africa. The village, "Viseisei," is very proud of it's heritage. In order to enter the village we had to comply to the local customs and my little short-shorts didn't fit the bill. Our guide was prepared though, and gave us sarongs boasting his company's logo. We also had to remove our hats. Here we saw the dominant presence of Viseisei's strong Christian roots, with a large church right in the centre of the village. Currently the president of Fiji happens to be the chief of Viseisei, though he is rarely in the village now that he's a big-wig. The women from the village had little tables set out and were selling their wares: handmade freshwater pearl jewelry, for cheap! And of course I was happy to support them.

Our second stop was at, "The Garden of the Sleeping Giant", named for the appearance of the mountain range the garden resides under. Apparently the actor who played "Perry Mason" is the creator of the garden, which I thought was very funny! The garden is well known for it's orchids. We went on a little hike as our guide described the unique plant varieties (I smelled a leaf from a cinnamon tree! Yum!) and informing us that originally Fiji had no predators. In fact, almost any wildlife that is seen today was introduced by early settlers. Some believe it was once an "Eden". Whatever it was, it was stunning.

Christianity is the main religion of Fijian's, but there is also a strong Hindu presence. The second stop turned out to be more of a drive-by to avoid an entry fee (ha!). It was a colourful Hindu temple - the largest in the South Pacific. And because we were there long enough to snap 2 photos, that's all I have to say about that.

Finally we headed to a local fruit and veggie market. It was beautiful (and not in a reno'd Safeway kind of way). The colours of the produce were vibrant, as were the sari's of some of the Hindi women at the stalls. The most interesting part was the "kava bar." "Kava," as it is called locally, is a root that Fijian's grind, add water, and drink. It's effects are that of relaxation and calm, hence the prevalent easy-going attitude of the Fijian people. I laughed very hard when our guide told us that the island is full of "kavaholics"! The "bar" was simply rows of stalls under a tent, with a dirt floor and a few stools... and about 50 men, eyes half shut, just sitting and, well, relaxing. Later in the trip Kurtis and I had the opportunity to participate in a traditional kava ceremony and try the drink. In my opinion it is the equivalent of mixing dirt and water together and drinking it. Noooot something I could see myself getting into, thanks!

Seeing the farms and communities and the simplicity in which the people still live was eye-opening, particularly in light of how truly happy they all seem to be (even despite recent political tensions). I guess it is true that the more you have, the more you desire. The Fijian people are content in their lives, with what they have, and are proud of that. It was a very beautiful, insightful and inspirational day.

Fiji!!!

In Canada the typical tropical getaway is to head south to Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic or Hawaii. These places are so far from Australia that it is rare to find Australians who have vacationed there. Here, the tropical destinations of choice are north, to places like the Cook Islands and Fiji. So that's where we decided to head to have a little "R n' R".

Flying into Fiji was amazing - lush islands everywhere in crystal clear water, aka: paradise. Right away you feel like you are so far from the everyday "hustle and bustle", and the moment you meet Fijian people you realize you are about as far as you can be from any hustling and bustling! They are cool, calm and relaxed, taking it as it comes. You can't help but feel relaxed too just being around them.

We were greeted both at the airport and at the hotel by musicians playing welcome music on their little guitars, and by, "Bula!". "Bula" has many meanings, one of which is "welcome." The traditional clothing is bright and colourful and many people, both men and women, wear flowers behind their ears. It is common to see Fijian men still wearing traditional "skirts" as daily wear. And for women, big afro's are all the rage!

The Sheraton was fabulous. We had an ocean view room with a balcony from which we watched brilliant sunsets each night. About a 10 minute walk away was a port with a variety of hotels and shops where we ate most nights. The resort had some beautiful restaurants, but they were a bit pricey to eat at every night. The last night there we had a fabulous Italian dinner at one of the ocean-view restaurants, with live music in the background, which was the perfect end to our stay there.

Staying at the Sheraton meant that we had access to a number of resorts, like the Westin, although for our poolside days we stayed at the pool by our room for the most part. We were able to go ocean kayaking and catamaran-ing (though I don't think that's a word) from our hotel, but for diving and snorkeling we went island hopping!

Boating, diving, snorkeling and visiting the islands were amazing experiences. We also headed inland on the main island to have a more cultural experience. But more about that to come...

Melbourne: a city made for girls

Between terms 2 and 3 there is a 2-week break and my fabulous Australian friend Bree and I devised a trip to a girl's haven: Melbourne. She hadn't been in 2 years, and I, never. We decided 3 full days would be just right, and Bree (brown hair) invited along another girlfriend, Justina (blonde hair), for the perfect girl's getaway.

On the first Tuesday, while most of Sydney was still dreaming, we got to the airport to catch our flight - we were not going to waste any time within our 3-day window. In fact, due to some airport difficulties (why can't you bring coffee on the plane if they serve it on there anyways?!), we didn't even have our first coffee of the day until we had got to Melbourne, caught a tram (love that they still have trams, regardless of how completely dangerous I think it is to hop on and off of them in the middle of traffic) to St. Kilda and our hotel, and were sitting in the cutest little cafe ever.

The first day was all about shopping, and there is no better place in Australia to do so than in Melbourne. Taking the tram (much like a C-Train) out to a fashion district, filled with caffeine and anticipation and hope, we set out a plan of attack, and away we went! We literally shopped for about 8 hours, until, faint with thirst and hunger,  the sun setting in the distance, we reluctantly decided to call it quits. I had a fair number of items, but I truly can not be blamed! Too many fabulous boutiques with unique pieces - and the sales! Oh the sales! I have not shopped since I moved here so I think I was a bit overdue... Though the best purchase of the trip actually came later. For over a year (I have witnesses) I have searched for the Converse hi-tops of my dreams: in neon green. I had looked all over Europe, Calgary and Sydney, but nothing. Oddly enough I had told the girl's of my plight earlier in the day and just as we were wrapping up and heading to the tram, we walked by a small shoe store. There, prominently displayed in the window was MY Converse hi-top. Of course I bought them, and love them to death!

That evening we went to a spectacular well-respected Italian restaurant. Melbourne is well known for it's cafes and restaurants. I think I could have eaten at any number of restaurants we walked by (literally hundreds) and it would have been a great experience. Consistently throughout our whole trip we ate the most beautiful food, and in the coolest places!

The second day we went to see the Broadway musical, "Wicked". It met all of my expectations and is now one of my favourite shows out of all that I have seen. In the foyer they were selling green slushies in green martini glasses, which I thought was a very fun touch. 

We hung out downtown for the rest of the day, darting down all of the little alleyways Melbourne is famous for: poking our noses in little shops and enjoying skinny flat white's and cappuccinos. We finished the day at a pizza restaurant in Melbourne's version of "Little Italy", where our meal ended with a very lively and entertaining magician wowed us with his tricks! He was actually really good and though we caught on to some of his slight-of-hand, there were a few tricks he did that really left us dazzled and wondering how in the world he had done it.

On the third day Justina left in the morning back to Sydney, and Bree and I (true shopaholics) headed to Church street for onnnnne last shop. Lo and behold, as we were strolling, who should we happen upon? Katie Holmes and her and Tom Cruise's sweet little Suri. SHOCKING. Previously I did not think I was the type to become starstruck: I now know I am the type. What was so cool was that nobody else on the street saw her! We walked by her and heard her say to Suri, "I know! Isn't it pretty?" to something in the shop window. Because she had a bodyguard with her, and her little one, I decided not to be intrusive, so I just stopped and starred until she got in her SUV and zipped away. Like I said, the perfect girl's getaway.

I would go back to Melbourne in a heartbeat!!!