Bula from Fiji!! We touched down in Nadi after an overnight flight and set out to explore the town. The vibe was much closer to Sri Lanka than anywhere else we have been in South East Asia (very friendly and chatty people, but with more litter and less touristy). We checked out the colourful Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple and looked for (and failed to find) some new running shoes before heading back for a chilled afternoon and to escape from the torrential rain. The day was finished with a tasty chickpea curry at an Indian restaurant around the corner.
The sign says it all… 
Even after South East Asia we love a temple
After a very wet night we set off for Mana Island, located about 30 km west of Nadi. We were picked up by our resort (Ratu Kini Dive Resort) and travelled for an hour on a boat to reach the island. Our new home was right on the beach and was so scenic. However (very annoyingly) the island was mostly shut for filming of a TV show called ‘Survivor’ so we didn’t get to explore. We hadn’t been told this in advance so felt a little disappointed. We also bodged up with water (not bringing a supply from Nadi) so had to buy expensive bottled water on the island because tap water is from the sea. Despite this we had a top time snorkelling and kayaking in front of our resort, before an early evening sunset cruise. And boy oh boy… what a sunset. Easily one of the best I’ve seen in my life, it looked like the sky would burst with the colours. Pinks, purples, blues and oranges blended together in harmony. It was a great end to the day. But it wasn’t over yet… roll on crab racing. In a rather random turn of events, we chose a crab and they raced (mine finished 2nd and Helen’s 3rd). The food on the resort was also really good and they catered excellently for gluten free, often making us special food. Meals such as cassava chips with chicken and rice with bolognaise were served and breakfasts were fresh fruit, hash browns and eggs.
The photo says it all
On day 2 (after a ridiculously long sleep) we visited the island school. The school caters for children on the island up to year 8, before they go to Nadi to continue their studies. Although basic, the school looked to have a good set up with desks, chalkboards, books and lots of posters about the environment and health etc. It was a nice addition to the day and gave us a feel for life on the island. Yet again, the rain was pouring down for most of the day, which was a shame as it meant we were limited for activities. However, in the afternoon we made Fijian bracelets from sea shells we collected on the beach. I took time to explore the village, which was also basic (small huts, lots of free roaming chickens) and I was greeted with a hearty BULA from everyone I passed. In the evening (after a traditional Fijian fish dinner) we tried Kava. This is a drink made from a type of pepper plant, which is ground and strained with water. It looked a bit like dirty laundry water and it tasted equally dodgy. Not in a hurry to do that one again…
Day 3 was a scuba dive. What an amazing experience!! Having never dived before we were both nervous but our teacher, Nico, was class. We learnt basic hand signals and techniques for diving before taking to the water. The dive lasted for just over 35 minutes and we saw loads of amazing fish and very colourful coral. Fiji has a reputation for being a beautiful place to dive and it lived up to that expectation. Although we saw too many fish to list them all, highlights included moorish idols, skunk clownfish, anemone fish and black and white snappers. Then… yep you guessed it… the rain came pouring down. The afternoon was another slow one, reading books and looking at some of our photos. In the evening we had a Fiji quiz, which was great fun and somehow our team won. It was a wonderful end to our time on Mana island. Vinaka Vakalevu Ratu Kini Team.
On our last morning on Mana (and reminding me strongly of camping holidays as a child) the sun came out and as we jumped on the boat to Nadi it was perfect beach weather. Back in the city, it was a classic Saturday afternoon. Haircut, shoe shopping (success), a new Fiji T-shirt and some groceries. Tomorrow is our final day in this tropical (in the wettest sense) paradise before a new country and a reunion with a special someone.
80% of the time… 
The day we left…
Rob Roams (around the world!!) 