We got to Fiji pretty late and had a rocky start. STA travel didnt give me a confirmation number for our Hula Loop Tour and they booked accommodation for us for the first and last night, but when we got there the Hula Loop tour company had no idea what we were talking about. Our names were on the list for the tour so that was a relief, but we had to find a hostel for the night. We got a shuttle to the Nadi Bay Resort hostel and arrived pretty late. It wasnt too bad...we shared a room with 5 other people (2 English guys right out of high school and 3 other girls that we didnt even talk to). Anyways, we basically just went to sleep because we were being picked up early the next morning by our tour bus.
Once the tour actually begun we felt a lot better about traveling by ourselves in a third world country, since it was just me and Brittany. The first day we went to Natadola Beach for a picnic lunch of lamb sausages and BBQ chicken. It actually wasnt bad! Then we went to a village where we had to wear a surong and shirt covering our shoulders. This was actually really cool to see how basically everyone in Bali lives. There is a huge open field area in the middle of the village where no one is allowed to play because it is where they make their sacrifices. The chiefs house is the one that is highest off the ground. The dont really have any furniture in their houses, or doors really. After the village we went to the Sigatoka sand dunes, which was cool but I have been sandboarding already. Mango Bay was out hostel for the night, which was better than the first hostel. The actual hostel was really nice, with an AMAZING view we got to watch the sunset). When we got there the hostel had a Kava ceremony for us. Kava is a drink that numbs the body haha. The first bowlful we had made our tongue and throat tingley and numb...it was wierd! But the drink is pretty gross. They crush up a Kava root, put the power in a cloth, and soak it in water. If you have ever wondered what a tree tastes like...this is it! After that we pretty much just had dinner, hung out a bit with the group, and went to bed.
The second day was by far my favorite! We went on a hike through the Namosi Highlands. It was a really muddy, wet, hot hike but soo worth it. It was actually pretty strenuous, walking through streams, up slippery muddy slopes and through trees with spiders in them! Just before the end of the hike, we came out of the trees looking down on this valley with a huge river at the bottom! It was breathtaking! Our camping crew would have LOVED it! :) (dont worry dad...I took some cool videos just like you :) After the hike, we got to go tubing down the Lavua river! It was soo fun! We stopped at a small waterfall on the way home where we got to swim a little and take pictures. The Uprising Resort hostel is where we stayed that night. Since it was our last night and we didn't have to wake up early the next day, we got a little crazy! The hostel actually put on some games for us to play (there were like 20 of us in the tour) and one of the cross-dressing employees (his/her name was sasha) did a little hula-type dance for us. It was pretty cool haha. I brought my cards out and we played an American drinking came (which is called something else in England but is very similar to our version). We all bonded that night and just hung out by the bonfire at the beach. Being with all of these people really made me want to travel all over the world. There were 3 girls from England traveling together who had already been to Cambodia, Thailand, and many other places. There was one girl from Germany traveling by herself, a guy from Scotland by himself, a girl from Wales by herself, and a whole bunch of guys from England by themselves, but they all became friends throughout there travels. I dont know how they are all traveling by themselves...i could never do that haha. But I really want to get out and see the world!
Fiji was a totally different experience from Bali. Every hostel we stayed in didnt have air conditioning and it was soo hot all the time. Brittany and I were ready to get back to Australia and take a real shower and wash our clothes...but it is definitely an experience I will never forget!
That looks like a really cool hike. I wish I could do it with you. I can't wait to see the videos. We all miss you.
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