Fiji in a nut shell

Hello everybody,

Sorry about the delay in writing the latest episode of our adventures.. we have been in Fiji for the last week and the internet has been slow, non existent in places and so bad that we havent bothered. So be ready for a monster one.
Current time is 12.48am on Saturday morning (in Fiji) and its mid morning for you lucky people still at work.
We arrived last Sunday Am after crossing the international date line and losing Saturday completely... (boo!) and we checked into a hostel called smugglers cove, staying in the pirates Dorm (oooo arghh me hearties!)
Sunday Am: After waking up with merely three hours sleep under our belts.. we made the gravest mistakes of booking some further accomodation without properly researching the idea. We spoke to a lovely lady in the travel office at the hotel who recommended that we embark on a cruise to the Yasawas Islands and stay in some of the secluded resorts there... so we did... no questions asked (oops i hear you say!) The boat ride took us to a small island almost four hours away from the mainland and to a resort called Coralview...

First impresssions were... well, lets just say, "Average". The resort looked like a cross between Brigadoon (one for you there mums) and Castaway with Wills good friend Ben Fogle! The "resort" was some what dated and "traditional" as it was described in the rather sparse brochure.

Anyway, we were greated by hordes of staff who sang to us and offered us refreshments and were whisked away for lunch. "Great" we both thought, that was until we had to check in. The Credit card machine that we were advised on, didnt exist, and being a desert island in the middle of the pacific, the chances of a Cashpoint (Even a fee charging one) were slim to non existent. Anway, to cut a long story short, the resort, didnt take anything but cold hard currency. So we were in a bit of a pickle... we managed, eventually, to haggle them into accepting a driving license as collateral and we set about enjoying our stay.
Our only gripe with the resort was that the beach wasnt a beach and it didnt really cater for stays as long as ours (Five days!) So we settled into two days of cards, UNO, volleyball and general lazing around. "How can that be so bad?" I hear you cry? Well it wasnt to be fair! Just wish the weather had been better!
Anyhoo, after a couple of beers on the first night, we decided to make a break for another island, and boarded the big yellow boat. After a chat to staff, we settled on a lovely resort called Bounty island... and no its not where the chocolate bars are made.. but it is..AND WAIT FOR IT...where they filmed the first series of CELEBRITY LOVE ISLAND. The original set was still there (albeit a bit worse for wears...) and we also sat on the pier were Kelly Brooke and Patrick Keilty hosted the prog! The first night, we took part in a Kava Ceremony ( a traditional Fijian welcome - even the Queen took part in one!)

and I

(Ali) was made honorary Chief for the event! What an honour! i even got to drink second out of everyone!
Today was special.. it was special because we plucked up the courage to go Scuba diving... What an experience, although i must say that the pool session was a bit strange and it took us both a little time to get use to breathing through a regulator. We dived to an amazing coral formation called Jackies reef (just off our resort) and we saw some of the most incredible fish you can imagine. We even saw some Nemo's! and they were cool.. they swam up to the instructor and kinda squared up to him as if saying "This is my reef, get lost!" Didnt see any sharks thankfully and now we both want to do more when we get the chance!
To sum up Fiji - If anyone is thinking of coming here.. Its a nice place away from the main island.. the Yasawas and mamanucas are an idyllic sun kissed Backpackers paradise.. We loved the snorkelling, the diving and the blue star fish.

Just make sure that you research the islands first! Dont take the tour operators word for it.. they are on commission!
Thanks for all the comments and we promise we will email you all when we have reliable, fast internet access.. (prob tomorrow.)
Will: Hope the Kitchen and bathroom come on ok!
Parents: We are both ok..Need a proper shower and clean clothes though! Please be careful about Sweden comments.. our friends might read it!
Emily: How did Maisy enjoy her first swim, is she a natural? And more importantly, will she be representing the UK in the Olympics?
Sandrine: Seen some cute dogs. Coral view had its very own Charlotte (with balls!)
Laura H and Col: If you are still reading this.. hope you are ok and flat is cool.
Matt S: Nugget!
Mish: Who was Torso of the week?
Mike and Carol: Didnt come across any bare breasted maidens coming out of the sea whilst visiting Tahiti, Plenty of calendars though!
The Bagnalls: Thanks for reminding me of the Man Utd vs Arsenal Score.. Please the Computers are holding up!

Thats your lot for tonight. We are off to catch a plane to New Zealand... Will update piccies asap.

Take care:

love pollyali

xxxx