Fiji

Landing into Fiji was lovely, we got a fantastic view of the mainland. It looked green and lush with sugar cane plantations stretching out across the land. We were greeted by a hot climate and Fijian music being played by a group of men in the arrivals lounge. I knew this was going to be good!

The drive to the backpackers was about an hour and half but we didn't get to see much of the countryside as it was so dark, and there were no street lights. We could however see people having BBQ's at roadside bus stops along the way!

The Beachouse Backpackers Resort was lovely, situated in the Coral Coast on the south of Viti Levu. All the dorms were nestled amongst trees, and the 'Coconut Cafe' overlooked the beach. There were hammocks up around the site for people to laze in and a great bay perfect for bathing in leading up to a coral reef break. Bliss. There were activities put on daily for us to enjoy and you could do as much, or as little, as you wished. Days were mostly spent doing not much at all, but they still seemed to go really quick! I was only supposed to spend 3 nights there and ended spending my whole 8 days at the Beachouse.

So what did I get up to? Well first of all I should mention the people there, as it would not have been the same without them. On my 1st day I joined in the free coconut bowling (chucking coconuts at the jack to win a beer!) and met Olly and Quinny (2 surfers from Cornwall) and Ross and Louise (a couple from Devon). From then on I seemed to spend most of my time with them, meeting Yimen and Simon from Grimsby, Troy and Greg from Perth, and Sarah from somewhere in the UK (sorry Sarah I have no idea!). We pretty much chilled out in the day sitting on the beach or chilling in the cafe playing cards, and then having a mad time in the bar in the evening. Thanks to all for a smashing time, I will never hear Bon Jovi in the same way again!

The Beachouse put on lots of activities too. I went snorkelling in the reef around the bay which was stunning. I went for a horse ride (I was rubbish at that but it was fun!) and had a full body massage. Also frisbee golf (again for beer) and watching the boys from the Beachouse playing the local villagers at rugby (with local kids as linesmen using branches for flags!) St Patricks day was celebrated in the usual way.

Matt and Ben took a day trip to Suva, the capital, but said it was very crowded and the people harassed you all the time (sounded like Bali!) The Fijians that worked at the Beachouse were lovely, it was so different to Bali. Everyone was really friendly and went out of their way to help. Napolean had to be the funniest there, I swear he was employed just to entertain us! He made fun of us and took the piss all day but was very sweet. Andie was lovely too, especially for putting up with us in the evenings!

For Ross and Louise's leaving do we had a wheelbarrow bar, where Napolean filled a wheelbarrow with beer and we walked around the site drinking in various locations. I brought out all the classic games I'd learnt at Barton Hall which went down well. Most evenings were spent playing silly games and usually ended up with 'living on a prayer' being played repeatedly and us dancing like loonys.

Kava was often brought to the bar in the evenings when some of the villagers would play music for us. It looked and tasted like muddy water, but it made your mouth tingle and go slightly numb. Most people said it made them sleepy, others said it did nothing for them. It's used for special occasions in Fiji and you have to respect their traditions when drinking it. You clap once and say 'Bula' before drinking a low tide or high tide, (half bowl or full bowl) then say Mutha/Mula (not sure exactly which!) and clap 3 times.

One of the best things I did in Fiji was an inland trip organised by one of the locals. We drove up a dirt track into the centre of Fiji to a village where one of his cousins lived. We got to swim in a river there, and all the kids from the village came down and joined us. They were amazed by us (it was only the 5th time they'd seen white people!) and all crowded around trying to touch us. We were taken to the meeting house where it seemed like the whole village had congregated to see us. We were sat in the front of the house with the villagers looking our way. The chief sat by us too. We were offered lots of Kava (that was probably the only time I'd say the Kava affected me!) and between bowls, music would be played and we'd be chosen by villagers to dance. It was so funny with everyone scrambling to dance with us, plus I think we were more entertainment for them, than them for us! They were laughing at us the whole time trying to dance Fiji style! It was one of the most extraordinary experiences and I'd recommend it to anyone. I felt like the guest of honour, and it was such a shame when we had to leave. Everyone waved us goodbye.

I thought before going to Fiji that 1 week would be enough to sit and chill out on the beach with a few visits to some of the Yasawa Islands. I was wrong! I have no regrets about not going to any of the islands, as long as I make it back there sometime in my life. The Beachouse had so much and so little to do there and I loved every second of it.