Farewell Fiji

What a fantastic 2 weeks we have had in Fiji.

When we were flying in to Nadi (pronounced Nandi) I could see the Virgin flight landing which was carrying other family members we were catching up with.  We got to see them in line at Fiji Customs and finally caught up with them in the baggage area.  In total there was 9 of us.

Once out of Immigration we tried to get data plans for our phones, but it was taking too long so after the obligatory toilet stop it was on to the bus to get to Volivoli.  We can definitely recommend the TTF buses as they would be classed as good buses even in Australia with air conditioning and comfortable seats, although the air conditioning on the return trip was not working too well.  Before heading for Volivoli I got the driver to stop at a supermarket so we could get essentials supplies for the trip – chocolates, chips and water.  We had the bus to ourselves which meant we each had a double seat with a few spare seats up with the driver.

The trip to Volivoli was quite scenic and we even had a spectacular unbroken double rainbow that looked amazing.

We arrived at Volivoli just on sunset and were greeted like missing family.  I managed to get a free beer on arrival from the person I had been communicating with to get this trip all together (thanks Geraldine).  The place is great if you like relaxing, diving, kite surfing (Warren C), go there, and I heard that the fishing was good as well.

Some friends of Alex (daughter 2) also joined us for a few days, so as expected we seemed to take over the place.

The staff couldn’t do enough for us and quickly knew all our names, unfortunately I couldn’t remember all of their names, but having Denise there was good as she knew everybody…as expected.

Denise and I got in 9 dives and each one was very good with fish, corals and swim throughs.  The only thing missing was the 50mtr visibility, but we usually had around 20mtrs.  We also did a trip to some caves and waterfalls as well as two sunset cruises that were great fun.  The sunset cruises could have been renamed drinking and bombing trips as we were supplied with an esky full of drinks and stopped for a swim which meant see who could make the most splash from the boat.  Any leftover drinks were delivered to the dinner table that night.

Melanie (daughter 1) invented a new cocktail for Denise’s birthday that went up on the board for the night.  It was call The Old Tart. It was wonderful, so good that we put ice cream in it and made it into a spider.

The reason for the trip was to celebrate Alex’s 30^th birthday.  Her requirement was a swim up bar, so we tested that out as well. Alex also had a drink named for her birthday. I can’t recall its name but it was dangerous.

After we dropped everybody else off at the airport, we went to stay overnight at the Tanoa International.  This is the same place we stayed on the way to Australia at Christmas time.

Next up was three days in a backpackers called Ratu Kini on Mana Island which also turned out to be good, but nowhere near that of Volivoli.  Everything was basic, but we had another great time.

Unfortunately, I developed a cough/sore throat on day one in Volivoli and by the second day in Ratu Kini, this developed into a cold.  That’s not a big problem unless you are diving, which I was.  I had trouble equalising my ears on the third dive and so called a stop to any further diving. I can’t necessarily say I had a great time diving but the day we went shark diving was amazing. I had two dives with the sharks. The first dive the GoPro wasn’t charged and we missed out on some great footage. The second dive I took the GoPro and it gave me a whole perspective to diving with things in your hand; I will try not to be critical of Peter’s underwater photography, it’s not easy. Of the three dives I had at the Backpackers, I only felt comfortable with one dive. The third and final dive spooked me (GoPro in hand), when the boat’s motor had failed and I’m still 100 meters from the boat with a good current. Thankfully there was another boat to pick us up and tow us in but that was it. Big waves do nothing for me either.

Also at the Backpackers we met a lovely couple who were travelling for a period of time. Their base was back in NZ and they had come to Fiji for all the right sightseeing reasons. Unfortunately, the young lady did some damage to her foot and spent the next couple of days with her foot in the air, Volleyball is not as non-contact as you think. They came back to the mainland with us and we said our goodbyes hoping for the best.  Not to be, broken toe but the second one in. By chance we had gone with the other Vollies to Bamboo Backpackers and ran into them both. They were both looking forward to going back to NZ and getting a second opinion. The partner had then developed a grumbly tummy and that was never going to end well.

Our final destination was the Tanoa Skylodge in Nadi.  This is a place we cannot recommend.  The place itself seem quite nice, but the issues we encountered just kept increasing.

On arrival we got off the bus and were greeted by nobody.  Instead I unloaded two heavy bags and carried them both in to reception in two trips past hotel staff.  No welcome or assistance was offered even though I had to excuse myself to get past the hotel staff at the entrance.

Reception gave us the room key then said to follow them to the room.  When I picked up one bag the reception person said to wait for assistance as it is a long way to the room.  When I asked whether there was a trolley he said it was coming.  Just wait - Fiji time.

After waiting and nobody turning up I said I can carry my bag at which point he decided to assist me.  On exiting the reception area we discovered a trolley.  When we got to the room it was occupied so – just wait.  He ran (read strolled) off to see what to do and while he was gone we discovered why the trolley was hidden, one of it’s two wheels had fallen off and was lying on the ground beside the trolley.  I put the wheel back on, temporarily.  When the staff member returned we went to another room, this time a vacant one.  On checking out the room we discovered there were two power points in the room and neither were near the bed or the desk on which to place the laptop.  I asked for an extension cord which was supplied so we now had a cord to trip over in the room.  I later discovered a third power point which still required the extension lead, but avoided the trip hazard.

There was a jug, but no milk.  The clock beside the bed was wired in to the power by twisting the wires.  No power point or protection, and when I tried to turn on the desk light it gave me an electric shock which was immediately reported to reception.  Even though I reported this, every time I walked through reception, it still wasn’t fixed when we left.

On day two I discovered the cleaning staff had taken our towels, but hadn’t replaced them.  I asked for some pool towels only to be told to use the room towels.  I explained we didn’t have room towels so they said they would be delivered soon.  I went out for a walk for 1.5hrs and on my return asked where the towels were.  Oh wait, soon.  I decided to go for a swim to cool down and then went back and got changed for dinner.  On the way out for dinner I asked about the towels and was told just wait.  When we returned we had towels.

On the Saturday I requested bacon and eggs and was delivered eggs.  When I enquired about the bacon I was informed they had no bacon, so could request something else instead.  I decided to go with eggs.  On Sunday there was still no bacon, although the shops were open on Saturday.  I had two pieces of toast and then asked for pancakes, but was told I couldn’t have pancakes as I had the other breakfast.  When I explained I had only had two pieces of toast he decided to relent on the pancakes.

The room itself was aged, but clean.

There were a few other issues, suffice to say we will not be coming back to the Tanoa Skylodge, but don’t get this place missed up with the Tanoa International which we can recommend.

While in Nadi we had a volunteer workshop for Kiribati volunteers and were joined by two Fiji volunteers.  We later met up with 4 or 5 other volunteers from Fiji.  This was a great session to just vent, but also provide feedback on how to improve the volunteer program for Kiribati.

We finished off the workshop with a visit to the Sabeta Mud Pool & Hot Springs.  This is something I hadn’t done before and it was great fun.

Now we have one day left before we head back to Kiribati.