Tales from the South Pacific, July 13-29, 2011 - Page 6 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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They tendered us over on the glass bottom boat. We spent a few minutes getting the lay of the land (word is you can walk around the island in 7-10 minutes), and then I found us some mats so we could spread our stuff out on the sand.
We snagged snorkels, masks and fins and proceeded to try them out. A crew member was positioned offshore to offer snorkeling tips. Sue did much better and lasted much longer than I did. Unfortunately, with the congestion, having my head in the water bothered my ears a lot, so I contented myself with hanging out and taking pictures.
It was very shallow near the shore and for some distance. Sue is in the distance.
Sue describing the electric blue starfish.
There were indeed starfish that were very boldly colored in what was, frankly, a fairly sparse area for snorkeling in my opinion. I have previously snorkeled off Big Pine Key in Florida. This reminded me more of the snorkeling in Jamaica offshore from Montego Bay.
Fellow tour members snorkeling or checking out the aquatic life from above.
It was a lovely day.
Lunch as I mentioned was a BBQ and picnic--there was grilled fish, sausage, chicken, potato salad, garden salad, cole slaw, yam casserole, bread, and, of course, fresh fruit. They had sodas and wine and beer, and the crew periodically would call out "more beer!"
Lunch as seen from... uh... behind the seating section.
There were a few buildings on the island and I believe it is possible to actually rent it and stay there.
Some of the younger crowd found a way to occupy themselves while the older folks napped and relaxed after lunch.
International Jungle Rules Beach Volleyball. It can be dangerous.
We were well into the afternoon when they started rounding us up for the trip back to Port Denaru. The sail back was wonderful--lots of spirited singing by a large number of crew members, and we were also treated to a demonstration of how to husk a cocoanut and crack it open with your hand. Yes, you read that correctly. I saw it done, but I wouldn't have the guts to try it. I'm just sayin'.
When we got back to the port, we disembarked, thanking the crew and leaving them some tip money. There was a shopping center at the port with shops and restaurants, and we had some free time to look around and to get some supper if we desired.
I buttonholed Rony and asked if there was a Chemist's shop (pharmacy). Lo, and behold there was and it was open! A very nice man helped me. I had to repeat myself a couple of times when I asked for what I wanted, but he went away and came back with Sudafed. Score! I was so relieved. I usually travel with some but I guessed it was sitting at home with the arthritis medicine. DOH! My biggest concern was the upcoming flight to New Zealand and keeping my ears clear, though for the BBQ and at this point I couldn't really taste much of anything, including the lasagna I got at the pizza place where some of us went for supper.
Afterward, Sue got a mango gelato. It looked wonderful, but I thought, "Why bother?"
Some people were quite late assembling for the ride back to the resort, but we finally got back on the bus for what turned out to be a fairly harrowing ride back, including close calls with other vehicles and significant tailgating. I mean, we were close enough to read the displays on the the dashboards in the cars in front of us! I don't know, maybe the driver had a date or something. I will say that he knew where every pothole was, though, and worked to avoid them. At speed. And there were a lot of them!
We didn't quite kiss the ground when we got off, but we certainly disgorged with a sense of relief. We took the launch across to the resort and split up tp our rooms to get situated for the night (and take medicine!). We have a 5:00 AM wake-up call and are supposed to assemble at 5:45 AM. Tomorrow we fly to Auckland, New Zealand and then travel to Rotorua.
By the way, the traditional greeting in Fiji is, "Bula". It means "cheers" or "life". We used this a lot. We were also told that Fiji is one of the top ten honeymoon destinations in the world. I wonder why?
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From the bus driver's point of view, he had everything under control! Yeah, he was probably "late for a very important date!" Reminds me of taxi rides when I was stationed in Turkey.
Too bad you didn't get to sample the gelatto, it sounds pretty good.
Not to make light of your harrowing bus ride, but your description gave me a good visual and a chuckle. Reminds me of the time I was in Jamaica. A van was waiting to take us to our hotel (Negril Beach Club). Driving along the roads (many unpaved) the driver would blow the horn, in what seemed an arbitrary fashion. I watched him for a while and figured out he was blowing the horn every time we arrived at a bend in the road - so that drivers from the opposite direction would know we were approaching - and avoid a head-on collision! I think I held my breath the entire ride to Negril!
Kudos on scoring the Sudafed. Hope your sinuses start behaving - soon!
Okay, I started reading and thought to myself, "no place is worth all that flying," but then I saw the photos, and yeah, maybe it's worth it! Ready for more!
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
What a beautiful day to spend on an island. Too bad you couldn't enjoy the snorkeling or the taste of all that yummy food. Hope the medicine kicks in quickly.
Okay, I started reading and thought to myself, "no place is worth all that flying," but then I saw the photos, and yeah, maybe it's worth it! Ready for more!
Oh, Sharon, my thoughts exactly but you were way funnier when you said it.
From the bus driver's point of view, he had everything under control! Yeah, he was probably "late for a very important date!" Reminds me of taxi rides when I was stationed in Turkey.
Oh, I think he was pretty darned confident. It was the rest of us that were wondering!
I visited Turkey on my trip to Greece, but only rode a motor coach from the Kusadasi to Ephesus and back to the ship. That ride was sedate compared to this one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BostonTeaParty
Not to make light of your harrowing bus ride, but your description gave me a good visual and a chuckle. Reminds me of the time I was in Jamaica. A van was waiting to take us to our hotel (Negril Beach Club). Driving along the roads (many unpaved) the driver would blow the horn, in what seemed an arbitrary fashion. I watched him for a while and figured out he was blowing the horn every time we arrived at a bend in the road - so that drivers from the opposite direction would know we were approaching - and avoid a head-on collision! I think I held my breath the entire ride to Negril!
Kudos on scoring the Sudafed. Hope your sinuses start behaving - soon!
I visited Jamaica once, and we were driving back from Negril in a rented car to Montego Bay. In this case the main road was a paved two lane, but it was quite dark other than the headlights even when we passed through towns. The thing that really got me, though, was on long straight stretches where you would meet an oncoming car. Of course, we were driving on the left hand side of the road. Well, you would see the headlights of the approaching car and as it got closer and closer, my brain would start screaming that this was WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, because they were on the "wrong" side of the road! It's all about what you are used to.
I was shocked but very pleased to be able to score the Sudafed in Fiji on a Sunday night.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dutchdisneyfamily
I hope you got to feeling better soon. The day on the island looked wonderful! Mango gelato, yum! It was too bad you couldn't enjoy the yummy food.
For the most part, I didn't feel bad--the congestion was annoying and worse at night when I was in bed. I piled up pillows and slept with my head elevated.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
What a shame you're leaving Fiji so soon. It's been amazing to see your photos of the country - what a beautiful place.
Another day would have been okay with me! But we had places to go and other things to see.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Sorry you were still so stuffed up! More gorgeous pictures!
Thanks, Marnie!
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
Okay, I started reading and thought to myself, "no place is worth all that flying," but then I saw the photos, and yeah, maybe it's worth it! Ready for more!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Two4Disney
Oh, Sharon, my thoughts exactly but you were way funnier when you said it.
I admit I had some fairly serious doubts before I left, but as soon as we started touring I was convinced.
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee723
What a beautiful day to spend on an island. Too bad you couldn't enjoy the snorkeling or the taste of all that yummy food. Hope the medicine kicks in quickly.
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Originally Posted by OCEANGRLLG
Beautiful pics, the water looks wonderful!!! Hate that you were stuffed up, hope the meds work!
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Originally Posted by KMB733
That was some bus ride back!! Sounds like how the taxi drivers drive in NYC!! Hope the medication kicks in and you're feeling better soon!!
Thank you! I was so lucky to have found some to take.
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My biggest concern was the upcoming flight to New Zealand and keeping my ears clear, though for the BBQ and at this point I couldn't really taste much of anything, including the lasagna I got at the pizza place where some of us went for supper.
I don't know, maybe the driver had a date or something. I will say that he knew where every pothole was, though, and worked to avoid them. At speed. And there were a lot of them!
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Yeah, he was probably "late for a very important date!" Reminds me of taxi rides when I was stationed in Turkey. 
PassPorter Guide Author
It's been amazing to see your photos of the country - what a beautiful place. 
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