first Fijian blog continued...

We're back from the waterfall and a couple of hours of beach volleyball, which was NOT cut short by the tropical down pours. They mean business when it comes to volleyball!

Two great things about today: the waterfall hike and when we returned to the resort our bags were here! [phew!] The hike itself was about 45mins each way. We trekked through the inland jungles and were immersed in the dense foliage. It was great! Our guide, Henri, has taken quite a liking to Conrad. He always calls him out to carry a coconut or pass a deadly volleyball serve his way... they seem to be buddies! [aww!] I guess Henri didn't have enough time to have breakfast this morning so he grabbed a couple of fallen coconuts along the way and we all had a little freshness at the top. He opened the coconut over a sharpened stick from the ground. It looked effortless. At the top, we saw the beautiful waterfall. It was about 30ft high [??rough guess??]. The water was cool and refreshing, just perfect after a jungle walk. Conrad jumped off one of the peaks. I basked in the beating water from behind the fall... I've always wanted to see (and feel) the back side of a waterfall!

The village at the base of the hike is apparently a well known village. Not every village has a main chief and this one did. The people seemed proud to have him. We did not have enough time to meet him but the villagers had set up little jewellery displays for when we got back. Conrad and I both bought a little token to remember the excursion. Its nice to know that the money we spent on the hike and the jewellery will go directly back into the village.

This is our last day in Fijian paradise. We have a very early coach coming to take us to the airport tomorrow morning. We will be leaving at 4am [eeugh]. Despite that unpleasantry, they have a lot of night activities planned tonight. The ever deadly game of Flip Cup will be played. You can be sure that Conrad will be first in line.

A few things I've learned since we got here. 1) Sunday is a day of rest. Here at the resort they do not use any of the motorized water equipment. The adjacent village owns the land and it is against their religion to use motors on water. Since they own the land they ask that the resort shows the same respect. 2) The government does not own the land, the villages do. The government owns only the cities and roads. 3) 'Thank you' in Fijian is 'be naka'. 'Hello' is 'bula'. 4) Everyone is really friendly and make sure to say, 'bula!' when paths cross. 5) The mosquitos love the taste of my blood and not Conrad's. [grr... scratch, scratch]

A few highlights from the trip. 1) Valentine's Day dinner on the beach. 2) Snorkelling along the coral reef. There are tons of fish, such beautiful bright colors. We saw a sting ray and a few giant clams as well. 3) The outdoor shower just outside our room. You are protected by fence and surrounded by tropical plants. 4) The horseback ride, at which time we got drenched half way through. Conrad and I both had our cameras and very little protection against the rain. We ended up bundling our cameras in the few pieces of clothing we had on. Thankfully, the cameras are fine and our pictures were saved. 5) Beware of the falling coconuts overhead. They have baskets on a few of them but the ones that don't, 'Watch out!'. A couple fell when a game of coconut bowling was under way. Miraculously, they did not hit anyone but they were REALLY close. Seriously, these things pack a mean punch, they hit the ground with a 'THWUNK!!'



side note: I've been trying to upload some pictures for the last 15mins. This computer is either too slow or something is not working. I may have to give up on this task. I will try to show you a peek at paradise asap...