It's a wrap

Monday, November 12


Today is our last full day. We leave Fiji Tuesday night and arrive in DFW about 90 minutes before we left Fiji after crossing over the International Date Line.
We had no plans to leave the hotel grounds while here and are keeping to that today. A leisurely breakfast and some time by the pool. We ran into Kelly and Dan at the pool and spent time chatting with them. They’re planning their wedding to take place next winter and are thinking of having it in Arrowtown, one of our favourite towns on the South Island. Fun to reminisce about our time there & give them suggestons.
We had seen jet skis when we had stayed at the hotel before the cruise and were thinking of renting one. Neither Kelly nor Dan had been on one before, so we rented two. The hotel had a course marked off with buoys in the bay and sent us on our way.


This would be the fun couple's last daring activity! The course was triangular and run counterclockwise. Nancy had never been on a jet ski, I opened it up and we headed for the course with Dan and Kelly in hot pursuit. We had great fun. Thirty minutes later we came ashore with sore hips and very sore butts. Dan mentioned that it must be beer o’clock by then. We joined them for a couple of drinks and a very interesting wide ranging conversation.


We had pizza on the balcony listening to the ocean.
And that’s it for the last day. The only plans for tomorrow are lunch at the Hard Rock to pick up yet another shirt, pack the bags and Wilson and visit the pool. That busy day probably won’t warrant a blog entry of its own. It’s been a fantastic trip!

Today observation:
A Kiwi term for an airline flight attendant is “trolly dolly”. Funny term, but it may not be a wise idea for us to use it.

All ashore

Sunday, November 11

Our cruise docked back at Lautoka at noon. We had a great time and met some very nice people. The morning was spent with breakfast, saying goodbyes, exchanging email address and some photos.

During the cruise I had asked Alfie about the origins of the Fijian people. The same question our Indian driver had answered as South Africa. Alfie had responded that the Fijian language and pottery had been traced back to origins in Taipei. I piped up, oh Taiwan. Alfie corrected me and said not Taiwan but Taipei. OK. Mere pulled me over Sunday morning and mentioned that Alfie had discounted Taiwan for political reasons. Seems that Fiji supports the one China policy and Taiwan does not exist. Interesting.

Alfie took a group passenger picture with everybody’s camera and the crew put on a singing farewell for us. Captain Siti shook our hands and our driver was waiting to take us to the hotel.

Our vacation is wrapping up and slowing down. Today was a quiet day. Kelly and Dan from the ship are staying at our hotel and we ran into them during the day. After an afternoon of catching up on email, the blog and pictures we had a very nice dinner at the hotel, outside overlooking the water.

Wilson

Our close friend joined us at Naviti Beach.

Wilson and friend relaxing at Denarau Beach

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.

Bula Vinaka

Friday, November 9.


Bula literally translated means 'life'. It has other uses as well. Typically good morning, afternoon, evening. Vinaka means thank you. Together they are a polite way of greeting someone and saying hello. They were words we heard & used together & apart for the duration of the cruise. The crew on board this ship, all Fijian, were incredible. From our cruise director, Alfie to our dining room host (a Fijian cousin of Ross the Intern from Jay Leno) to our barman Mike. Mike looked like he was full of mischief from early on. I found that apparent when he announced lunch on the beach one day. He proceeded to dump me from my hammock as he made the announcement! So welcoming, so warm & personal. Within a few minutes of boarding, we were being greeted by name. The service was impeccable. Not formal but very comfortable & well done. The first night (after a few drinks) we were entertained & taught the Tra La La, apparently a Fijian dance. It was a lot of fun & even the fun couple who (adamantly) do not dance found themselves part of a group of dancers. And there are pictures to prove it!

With a very small group onboard, we acquired 'our' group early on. The honeymooners adopted us as 'their' friends (Mom & Dad on honeymoon?) and were always welcoming & excited to see us. Very cute. Joachim & Ann Marie or Kelly & Dan were usually part of our meals. Joachim & Ann Marie are headed to NZ, south island this week as part of their world trip. Kelly is from Auckland. Great fun talking to them about NZ. What we have found to be the standard Aussie/NZ teasing was apparent between the two countries on this cruise.

After breakfast Friday morning we joined the first tender ashore to the beach - Nacula Island. The water is not Caribbean warm as this water is the Pacific. It was very easy to acclimate to the tepid temperature. The colors in the water are incredible. The blues, greens, ever changing are probably the prettiest I have ever seen. We did some snorkelling on our own, exploring the area a short distance from the beach.






Amazing coral of all colors, bright blue starfish & gorgeous small fish were all fairly close to shore. The coral is tall. The only way out beyond it was literally floating on top of the water for several yards out. All colors & species of coral were apparent. More than I think I have ever seen. All heights, colors, shapes - an under water world waiting to be explored.

Mid morning there was a small boat that took interested snorkellers to a nearby reef. We spent about an hour floating & watching below the surface before heading back for lunch on the ship.


A short time after lunch we were back on the tenders to visit a Fijian village. There are several villages along the cruise route that are self sustaining although certainly not cut off from the world. We gathered in the Methodist Church for some background on the village of about 120. They grow their own food - both meat & vegetables. They collect rain water & use a generator sparingly for electricity. Their children are sent from an early age to boarding schools. There is one for primary school age that picks them up on Sunday, returning them on Friday. For secondary schools they have to go to the mainland (Nadi, which is on the main island...there is no "mainland") much further.


The villagers performed for us - songs & dances followed by all of us (I seemed to get picked each time!) participating in the Tra La La dance.






We participated in a Kava ceremony. Kava is a drink made from the root of a pepper tree. It is non alcoholic but leaves a slight numbing feeling in your mouth. More interesting was the ceremony that went with both the preparation & the serving of the drink. As requested by the cruise director, we elected a Ratu, which means chief (the young honeymooner, Adam was drafted) to be the first one to taste the drink. He was a little nervous but a good sport as he clapped his hands one time before accepting the drink & then saying bula and clapping three more times after the drink, as we were taught.



We wandered out to the village to see a market set up by the village women & encouraged to support the local economy (of course I obliged) before heading back to the ship.






Drinks, followed by dinner & some more talking as we got to know our fellow shipmates a little more.


Today's observation:
I found Wilson!!!!!

MV Mystique Princess

Thursday, November 7, Sailing day.


After a nice breakfast outside by the pool we packed up for our 4 day cruise. Actually, if you count the number of 24 hour periods, it’s a 3 day cruise. But this is Fiji time so who is counting. We left 1 bag and a jacket at the hotel as we will be returning to the same hotel following the cruise. Our driver headed north to the port of Lautoka in the heavy rain and fairly heavy traffic . The ride to the cruise depot took about an hour passing sugar cane fields and what our driver, of Indian descent, told us was the point where the first native Fijian landed in the islands. When asked where the settler arrived from, he replied South Africa. OK, I didn’t realize that the South Africans were such explorers, but what do I know?
We checked in for our cruise, got our cabin assignment (#1 of course), picked up our snorkel equipment and were driven to the ship, the MV Mystique Princess, in the heavy rain. The cabin is quite spacious with a king sized bed, large picture window (no portholes), bar and small shower and bathroom. After unpacking we met our fellow passengers and our Cruise Director Alfie who walked us through the safety lecture, fire drill and how to use our life jackets. Our cruise had only 18 passengers, 9 cabins worth, and a crew of 20. From the passenger standpoint, not a bad ratio. Not a good one from the cruise company’s perspective. We had a group of about 20 American travel agents from the west coast watch our drills. They were on board for a brief familiarization of the ship and cruise line and left for a resort not long after we had sailed from Lautoka.
We and our fellow passengers headed up to the Sky Deck to imbibe at the Sky Bar. The Sky Deck is open air on the aft of the ship with a nice breeze, and a strong blast of diesel exhaust if you go too far aft. Of our fellow 16 passengers, 8 were from Fiji, a newlywed couple from Australia, a newlywed couple from Indianapolis, a couple from Switzerland and Germany and a couple from New Zealand and Scotland.
Adam and Emma are young Aussies and had been married the previous Saturday in Australia. Their first cruise and first time out of Australia. Joachim and AnneMarie are from Germany and Switzerland respectively and were on a 6 month world tour. They started off in LA for a few days, then to Tahiti and Australia before coming to Fiji. From Fiji they go to New Zealand, the Philippines and India. They’ll get back home the end of February. Kelly and Dan are from New Zealand (alas, North Island) and Scotland respectively, although Dan now lives in New Zealand. Sounds like Kelly has traveled extensively to the US and Europe, although she said we have seen more of the South Island than she. The newlyweds from Indiana? Never found out their names.
Lillian and Mere are two very nice ladies from Fiji. Lillian has 2 children in the US and will be moving to Vegas shortly. A move we can’t quite figure out except for the need to be near family.
The other 6 Fijians, 3 couples, are all employees of the cruise line. Nonrevs of the sea I guess. Vara is a captain for Blue Lagoon and was along with his wife. Joe (?) is the general manger and he and his wife occupied the Sky Suite, the one suite on the top deck of the ship. Like airline nonrevs, I guess they too chase the best seat in the house.
While watching a beautiful sunset, we, along with the Adam and Emma and Joachim and AnneMarie were asked to sit at the Captain’s table for dinner. Captain Siti was not a big talker, but he most likely doesn't need to be one in order to captain the ship. He did tell us though, that this cruise was almost canceled due to the low number of bookings. Don't know what we would have done in that case. We had a very good 4 course dinner helped along some New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Some after dinner drinks and a lot of conversation and we got to bed close to midnight.

Today’s observations:
Each dinner course was announced. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please. The Main Course is now served”. Nice touch.
Cabin 1 is in the forward part of the ship. The anchors are also in the forward part of the ship. Anchors and anchor chains made a rather loud clanging and grinding noise as they were lowered after midnight as we anchored for the night.

Meet the Fockers...the sequel, Goodbye NZ, Bula Fiji!

Big title for a fairly quiet day!

Spent the morning switching clothes around, changing bags in preparation for the Fiji part of my wardrobe to be utilized.

Got to see some of Jenni's gorgeous art work - and was thrilled when she gave me a piece of stained glass to take home! So beautiful!

We said our good byes to Jenni & then to Miss Molly mid morning. Barbara took us out on a short tour of (still rainy) Auckland before lunch. The harbor looks like it would be gorgeous...oh, except that it was RAINING!

We got to meet more of the family (the Fockers) today as Pam & her husband Roy joined us for lunch with Barbara. Had a very nice lunch - fun to meet even more relatives! Who knew!

Barbara dropped us at the airport in plenty of time to pay our departure fee, check in & hang out for awhile in the Air Pacific's lounge.

The flight to Fiji tonight was very quick....lots of reflecting as we departed NZ. What an amazing adventure.

I have to read the blog over again just to remember all we've done.
From rainy, wet, Wellington to the gorgeous wine country. The dolphin watch & unbelievably steep walk up the side of the mountain were amazing.
Then the wild west & the beautiful beaches that followed us along the coast.
The helicopter & glacier hike were something I could never have imagined doing before we did it. Afterwards we both said 'What if we had NOT done it?' Definitely out of our comfort zone but so amazing.
The Dart river safari was awesome...just a FUN ride. And again, beautiful scenery. The three weeks were filled with great people, amazing conversations, gorgeous scenery, good food, good wine & an incredible amount of memories that we will remember forever.
The last few days we've been talking about 'the next trip' and what new areas we will explore next, which we will revisit. Hopefully it won't be 5 years before we can get back again.
And now, Bula (welcome) Fiji! We arrived at the hotel after a fairly long, dark (OK, kind of scarey) ride from the airport.
Not to worry - immediately upon arrival, we were greeted by the staff with drinks, a warm welcome & an upgrade to a villa. Nice! This room is pretty incredible with 2 balconies (one with BBQ), 2 flat panel TV's (one in living room, one in bedroom), full living room, full kitchen, washer, dryer & my favorite - a nice TUB! : ) There is a spa on site that opens early tomorrow morning - plenty of time for a pedicure before we leave on the cruise!
The adventure continues!

No internet on the ship I would imagine. Will catch up after the 4 day cruise.