Fiji

[jjjnettie]

Here's a picture of my sister Anne, who won this trip and invited me along.
A hibiscus in the gardens of the Novotel Nadi.
A coral island, taken through the plane window, just as we started to make our descent into Nadi.

[jjjnettie]

On the Wednesday we went on the obligatory island hopping cruise.
Starting from Denaru Marina, we took a Cat out to Mana Island then boarded the Seaspray. I couldn't get the theme song to Gilligans Island out of my head the entire journey.:doh::screwy:
One of the islands we visited was where they filmed the movie "Castaway".
(It's on telly this Saturday night by coincidence)

[jjjnettie]

On the way back to Denaru, I was hoping to be able to photograph the illusive "Green Flash" at sun down. But unfortunately clouds were moving in and I missed my only chance. Still, it was a pretty sunset.

[jjjnettie]

Thursday we took a tour to the interior. Up in the mountains is a vast cave system. We got to explore a tiny part of it.
Our guides were Nadia and Jack, two local boyz (who also work nights performing cabaret routines :whistle:;) ) They grew up in the region where the caves are located so their local knowledge was fantastic. I learned more about the "real" Fiji during this trip than at any other time.
After yet another Kava ceremony, we trekked through field down to the Sigatoka River, where our bamboo raft was waiting for us. We were towed over by horse. After more bush walking we arrived at the cave entrance.
It was all a bit squeezy squeezy getting through, but once inside it was of cathedral dimensions. The highlight was the Cannibal Oven. A natural limestone formation that was last used only a couple of hundred years ago for, you guessed it, cooking up house guests. You can still see scorch marks within the "oven".
I took lots of photos, but my focus was out, pity.
The trip back to the bus, again we boarded the bamboo rafts. This time to just float down the Sigatoka. Passing a local teacher and her pupils, fishing and swimming. (2nd last day of term, why not)
I jumped off and just hung on to the back of the raft and was pulled along. . The water was just the right temp, after all that walking it was luxury .

ps. that's not me in the river hanging on to the raft. that's our human outboard.

[JD2439975]

How does that Monty Python line go?

You lucky, lucky b.... ;) :lol:

[jjjnettie]

LOL
I thought you were going to start singing the Lumber Jack song.
Nadia and Jack were wearing bikinis under their clothes.
bless their little cotton sox

[Inmykombi]

Wow, what a holiday.
Very nice indeed. Looks like you had a great time.

Cheers.

[acropolite]

I can't quite remember how that went, you could you whistle it for me ???:whistle:.

Looks like it was a fun trip JJJ, sitting here in Tassie with the heater running, it helps to imagine somewhere warm. :cold:

[jjjnettie]

On the cruise, there was a constant supply of food and drink (beer, wine, champagne etc) The crew entertaining us by pulling out their guitars and ukuleles, after a few drinkies we were all clapping and singing along.
While helping myself to the fruit platter, one lady said to me "I know you".
Sure enough we did, ashamed I didn't recognise her. My other sisters, sister in law.! Small world isn't it.

[Liz]

Great pics jjj!!!

Sounds like you had a ball, and the weather looked pretty good for you too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qycmb7_LvsA

:jump::jump::jump:

[jjjnettie]

Cool, thanks Liz.:thumbsup:

[astro_south]

Great shots Jeanette!!!

Thanks for sharing and for taking us on the trip through your descriptions :thumbsup:

[Tandum]

Glad to see you got back ok J.

Got some nice daytime shots there, did AstroBoy get a run at all?

[h0ughy]

Well Done JJJ - you must be beaming after that trip - so many stories and so many good memories.

[jjjnettie]

Astroboy certainly did get a run.
Our balcony was facing north with a fairy low horizon. Just a mountain range and one of the runways of Nadi Airport between me and the stars.:lol: See the pic below of Ursa Major.
There were a few clouds hanging around at night, so I only got to take happy snaps of constellations. Nothing deep.
In the next pic, if you look real close you can see, from left to right, M51, M101 an M102.
You could see M101 naked eye.

[spacezebra]

Excellent pics JJJ

Looks like you had a great time and the scenery is certainly spectacular!

Cheers Petra d.

[RobF]

Batteries should be fully charged now JJJ!
Looks like you've had a fantastic break.

Rob

[Jen]

:eyepop: wow beautiful pics JJJ looks like you had a great time it must have went so fast cause it didnt feel like you were gone from here for long :doh:
Time flies when ya having fun hey :P
Glad to have you back safe and well :thumbsup:

[Octane]

Jeanette,

Nice to see you've documented your trip with a wide selection of images.

I must go there one day.

Regards,
Humayun

[jjjnettie]

Ta Humayun.
I've enjoyed seeing the pics from your trip too.
Love to see NZ too.

[gary]

Hi Jeanette,

Love the pictures and even before I read your text, the shots of the coconut
trees reminded me of the Tom Hanks movie. Hope you kept an eye out for Wilson. :)

Great stuff and thanks for sharing!

Best regards

Gary

[TheDecepticon]

Great piccies! Looks like it was fun!:thumbsup:

[jjjnettie]

:lol: Some smart alec had carved/scratched a few Wilson's onto the tree trunks.
So many coconut trees in such a small area. They were just falling out of the trees (just like in the movie:P) Wouldn't want to get gonked on the head by one.