Beware of falling Coconuts!

Saturday, November 10 was beach day!

The Blue Lagoon cruise lines owns a small island called Nanuya Lailai where we docked for the day. Their sister ship, the Fiji Princess was also docked for the day. There were tenders to take us the 20 feet or so to the beach. We took along snorkel gear, cameras, everything we would need for the day. Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea & dinner were all served on the beach. The first thing I found onshore were the hammocks - I knew at some point during the day one of them was mine!

There was a fish feeding excursion for those who were interested. We opted to stay on shore & snorkel from the beach. The tide was out and the water was very shallow for my (Bob) draft over a reef just feet from the shore. We went out well past the bow of the ship and spent about an hour in the water. After morning tea we joined others going out on a tender to snorkel along the reef. Bright yellow angel fish, bright blue 5 point starfish, many different colours of coral and sea anemones. There were small schools of brilliant blue fish, clams on the bottom that would snap close when prey got too close and many sea cucumbers on the sea bottom and along the reef. There were several varieties of cucumber, all seemed to be about 2-3 feet in length and maybe 3 inches in diameter. There were some that looked like black caterpillars with spikes along their bodies and others that were a plain greyish-pink in colour. When we came back there was a lot of talk about fairly large sea snakes that several people had spotted. Glad I was not one of the ones to spot them - that would have been the end of my snorkeling I think!

Lunch was a BBQ on the beach followed by hammock time for me. Bob opted to go back out & snorkel. Others went back to the reef on a small glass bottom boat to view the coral from above. It was a very peaceful, quiet afternoon followed by more food as afternoon tea was served.

After tea, it was volleyball time, a contest between the two ships. Alfie had encouraged our group to play & to play well as we would be playing for our dinner. The crews from the two ships played a fairly loose version of volleyball that included soccer kicks when necessary. Several games were played including passengers against passengers. In the end, our boat won - both crew & passengers. Dinner was saved. On the sidelines while the game was being played - a big metal bucket with a metal pole being pounded in it, over & over. Kava root being prepared for later that evening.

We were invited to watch the preparation of dinner - a Fijian lovo feast, cooked in a pit (similar to a luau pit). Rocks in the pit were heated & then the food was wrapped in several layers of freshly cut palm frond & added. Meat, fish & vegetables were all wrapped in foil, burlap & palm leaves (which produced the moisture to cook the food) & then covered with sand. The food cooked on the hot rocks for about 3 hours.

Back on the ship while dinner was being prepared for much needed showers & drinks. We had yet another beautiful rainbow , our third this trip. The crew that were on board had a jam session playing, among other songs Van Morrison's 'Brown Eyed Girl' with a Fijian twist. It was GREAT!

After drinks, the tenders were out to take us back to the now darkened island. Tiki torches were set up around the perimeter & lanterns on the pathways as we made our way to the dining area. Very pretty. The bar was open, the dinner ready to be unveiled, the mosquitos were biting. We all watched as first the sand came off, then the various layers. There was still a lot of heat & steam still under all of the layers. The food was incredibly moist & had a faint smokey flavor to it. It was very good. While Fijian Ross & his crew prepared the food tables, we again joined the crew while they sang & entertained us.

After dinner, more dancing of the Tra La La & the Fijian version of a Conga line.

All good fun & lots of laughing. This was International Night. Each country was given the opportunity to perform something unique to their country. Everyone passed until the majority, Fiji put on a show for us including the national anthem and Fijian songs.

Alfie had announcements to make. He had several prizes to give out to passengers. First there was the Best Snorkeler, given to Lillian who consistently (much to the dismay of passengers & crew alike) stood on coral while adjusting her mask & snorkel. An award given to the best volleyball player, Ann Marie. An award given to our elected Chief, Adam the honeymooner.

The final award given to the Coolest Person on the ship.....Mr. Cool...you guessed it... also known as 1/2 of the fun couple....Bob!!! YEAH!!! Big cheers all around!!! Fun stuff!

The crew invited us to join them on the beach mats while they played songs & sang. After the dinner clean up was over, we noticed the female members of the crew had all gone back to the ship. The men remained to entertain the guests. The ceremonial offering of the Kava started again. The Kava was mixed & offered in what looked like a pecking order. First to the Chief, then the ship captain, upper management, guests & employees. Each time it was offered the person accepting it said 'bula' followed by a clap, the drinking of the Kava followed by three claps. The singing & Kava passing went on for a couple of hours. Tenders were available to take anyone back to the boat. We weren't the first to leave but when we did there was a large group still behind.

A very nice day with reality looming closer as this amazing adventure comes to a close.