Enjoying Matamanoa

Matamanoa, an isle of Fuji,
Showed what heaven could possibly be;
All sun and beaches sublime,
With volcanic reaches to climb;
'Twas God's glorious wonder to see.
                                Dave

 

                                                                                     

             We will treasure our time in the water.  All four of us snorkeled end and saw fish we had never seen before, and shapes and colors of coral that really stood out.  It was also good, just to spend time relaxing in the warm ocean water.  The sand was covered with a variety of shells that came back to our bures with us, but, will have to stay in Fiji.

Sandy and  Greta decided to get a free foot massage at the hideaway spa on the side of the mountain on the island.  Dave and I weren't too excited about the idea so we decided to hike around the island.  We traversed over rocky points sticking out in the ocean and walked along beaches that only we were on.  We found magnificent views and some large rocks with holes in them carved out by the waves.  We also spotted a Fijian climbing a coconut tree and knocking them down.  The pictures we took were far too numerous to put in this blog.  Needless to say we all had a very good time!

Sandy and Greta's foot massage escape

Reef fishing with Captain Ben

Dave and I signed up for reef fishing with Captain Ben.  We went out by boat to the other side of the reef.  Our bait was small pieces of fish.  Our fishing gear consisted of line wrapped around rubber spools that we let out until the bait reached the bottom.  I caught a milky trevally and red throated emperor fish.  Captain Ben caught four fish including a coral trout which was the largest fish caught and one that he said is rare to catch.  After I got back I gave them to the Chef who prepared them for lunch the next day.


Lunch, prepared by the restaurant chef, entailed the two specially caught fish, served in a garlic butter sauce, green salad, and French fries.  After enjoying this special lunch (we thought the trevally fish was the best), we cleaned every morsel off the bones to enjoy later.  

Welcome to Matamanoa

We were some of the very first ones to board the 9 AM Ferry to Matamanoa Island.  Of course we took the stairs up to the top deck and claimed the front row seats.  After settling in to the smug feeling of our prestigious setting, we noticed the endless line of girls in school uniforms, climbing aboard, willing to sit in each others '  laps, lean against the rail, and show their excitement.  They were 6th-8th grade girls, going to another island to do service projects for the weekend.    

The accommodations are separate little bures with outside decks,  dark cherry wood furnishings,  high open beamed ceilings with a ceiling fan, tan, brown, and black designed tapa cloth stretched up to the beams, and louvered windows to let the ocean breeze blow through.  Scattered throughout the unit, were small arrangements of hibiscus, and other flowers, nestled together on top of a leaf or two.  

Coconut trees are every where on the island

Coconuts make a huge kerplunk when they hit the ground.  IF, you can then find the one that made the loud KERPLUNK, you have the treasure.  At the end of one of the trails, there is a much used 2inch thick mango branch stuck in the ground, supported by a short tree trunk.  Someone has carved the end into a sharp chisel point.  They thrust the side of the coconut down over the chisel,

and rip off that portion of the husk. A few repeats of this action, and the coconut is husk less.

The International Frog Race

There was tension in the air when we woke up this morning. The trees were blowing, the ocean
looked too rough for kayaking, and the idea of canceling the day's events was circulating.
You probably know about Melbourne's Horse
Race, but overlooked Fiji's equivalent, International Frog Race.  In the late afternoon, people started gathering in the one space beside the pool.  The old speakers were set up, music started playing, and the rivalry, mainly between The Aussies and The Kiwis began.  (We understand, why when they yell "KIWI KIWI

KIWI, the New Zealanders respond with "baa baa baa, but why, when they yell "AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE, do they respond with OI OI OI?"  First the bidding went out for the sale of the 10 frogs, each bedecked with the name or flag of the country it represented.  The frogs were then dumped in the middle of a circle, until they chose to begin their race to the edge.  A couple from Melbourne had the winning frog, Okonkwo.  Fifty percent of the money collected goes to Fijian charities, and the rest to the purchaser of the first, second, and third place frogs.

Tonight we witnessed a race,
'twas frogs that gave a good chase;
They started out slow,
And seemed sluggish to go;
But quickly picked up the pace.
                                     Dave

Henceforth, Steve will be referred to as CHIEF

The weatherman suggested that anyone going out today, should take along a "brolly", however the weather was beautiful, and we didn't get drenched till the end of our adventure.  Today was our day to take a jet boat up the Nadi River to the Fijian Village of Moala, but the high tide made the river too rough, so they delivered us by van.  The village is under the leadership of the Chief.  If outsiders are going to come into the village, they must first meet with the chief.  Steve was selected as the chief of our group of 9 people visiting the village.  Our group entered the community hall, Steve sat down on the right side of the chief, and the rest of us sat on the sides.  The Village Chief offered Steve a bowl of kava.  (Kava is a root crop that is grown for at least 5 years before it is harvested.  To be used as the drink, it is ground up into a dust, and water is added.)  Steve did the appropriate three claps and "Bulas".  He downed the bowl of kava with dignity.  The rest of us were offered and accepted bowls of kava.  Some of us will not be ordering it in restaurants.

After seeing handicrafts that the villagers had made (jewelry, carvings, dyed cloth, and toys) we were taken into another building to be entertained  by villagers from little children up to grandparents,  who sang, danced, and played.

Greta talking to the Principal

We then went over to their K-8 school.  School was in progress, but we were invited in to see the five classrooms.  Happy children, wooden desks, and chalkboards.  

Our trip was over, so we were driven back to our starting point.  The river was much calmer at this point, so we climbed into the jet boat.  It was a beautiful river with thick mango trees along the edge.
We zipped up the river between 40 and 45 knots.  It was all very fine, but, every single time, when the young Fijian pilot put his finger above his head, and made a circular motion, it meant he would make a tight 360 degree circle.  It also meant everyone got soaked!  Another great day in Fiji.

Having fun in Wyndham Denarau Island

We are in the community of Denarau Island, a resort community on the island of Viti Levu, which is one of the 322 islands in Fiji.  We are on the first floor of our building overlooking the shores of the western Pacific Ocean.  There are 52 buildings in our complex.  We feel blessed to have a dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer for our convenience  which makes our housekeeping much easier.  We have numerous mynah birds around our patio that make piercing, squeaking, squawks.  I think they might be begging for a handout.  We all went in the swimming pool the last couple of days  and it was wonderfully warm and refreshing.  There is a bar at the end of the pool that you can sit at  the counter on a stool in the water.  The pool is about 325 ft long, narrow in places with a bridge across.  (Sandy)

A relaxed day in Fiji.

Today we got up a bit later than usual.  Maybe that was due to staying up too late trying to figure out our last blog item.  We walked down the beach and visited our friend Aggie at the next resort where she will be working this next week.  We purchased a tour to a Fijian village for tomorrow from her which should be fun.  This afternoon we went back to Nadi for more produce and groceries.  While there we also went to see the recently built Hindu temple.  Needless to say, it was very colorful.  We weren't dressed appropriately so we didn't go in, but it was fun to see.  After our bus ride back we spent the last part of the afternoon in the very warm and enjoyable pool.  A great place to be on a hot day!

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Meet the locals!

Aggie works out of the thatched hut very close to our back door. She is there to check out kayaks,
catamarans, and the safety gear to go with them. She also has tours to offer to the resort guests.  That is her official job.  However, to us, she is that warm, friendly neighbor who always has time to chat, tell us interesting history of the island, share her pride in being a Fijian, and even bring us a fresh Mango from her yard.

At home, she is a wife, and mother of a six year old son.  She has a vegetable garden that provides food for them throughout the year.  Banana, mango, and paupau trees, help make a healthy diet.  She lives in a village with her extended family. The Fijians own their land, and she told us that they can buy a two bedroom house for $5000., not fancy, but a place where she feels loved and completely satisfied.  Akanisi, her real name, is a beautiful person!

This evening we decided dinner could wait.  A group of six Fijian men, equipped with various stringed instruments, come out to the pool each evening to serenade anyone swimming close to the edge, sitting by the pool, or out on their decks.  When the sun is about to set, the much decorated torch bearer comes running out to light all the tiki torches.  DON'T BE IN HIS PATH!  He jumped across the pool in the narrower parts and that flame kept right on burning!  

A quick update.

This blogging with an Ipad is a real learning process!  Our Wifi connection is a bit spotty here in Fiji so it looks like I am only going to try put one or two pictures in each of our blog pages.  Here are a couple of the pictures of the dancers I mentioned in our last entry.

Our first day in paradise.

We arrived in Nadi (pronounced 'Nandi') after a 10 hour all night flight.  Sleep was hard to come by and we weren't exactly bright eyed and bushy tailed when we got here.  Our flight was over an hour late taking off at closer to one o'clock at night than the originally scheduled 11:30 pm departure.  We were off the plane by 7:00 am, but it took an hour plus to get through customs.  The ride to our timeshare was enjoyable because we weren't having to drive and adjust to being on the left side of the road in our tired state.  Amazingly our timeshare unit was ready by 10:00 am and we have a great view of the ocean.  We took a local bus into Nadi and went to a local fruit market.  It was fun seeing all of the produce options and obviously we purchased some for our meals.  The prices weren't bad.  The exchange rate is approximately 60 cents American for each Fijiian dollar.  After that we went to a local grocery store to load up.  Knowing us that shouldn't be surprising even if the prices were a bit spendy.  When we got back to the resort, Sandy, Greta and Steve went to a resort sponsored party by the pool where Steve tried a couple of the local beers.  The Fiji Bitters was pretty good!  They also had some Fijian dancers who we very much enjoyed watching.  I don't think we will be staying up playing card games tonight.  The eye lids are getting pretty droopy!

Loading up!

Well we are packed and ready to go!  As you can see Greta's cousin Sandy and her husband Dave made it to Portland from Minnesota and are excited about hitting the road...or should I say the airways.   All I can say is Fiji and New Zealand had better watch out!  We will be flying to Los Angeles Saturday at 5:00 PM and then on to Fiji at 11:30 PM.  Our arrival time will be at 5:10 AM Monday after a 10 hour flight.  We might be a bit sluggish when we get there, but we will handle it!

With the following Fijiian restriction list, how did we EVER manage to fill our suitcases! (Remember this is Greta talking.)

The following goods are prohibited or restricted

• Animal and animal products
• Birds
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Fresh flowers and dried leis
• Seeds and plant cuttings
• Root crops
• Bulbs, corms, rhizomes and tubers
• Coconuts
• Live fish (including all marine products)
• Meat – any kind (Fresh, chilled or canned)
• Poultry (meat, egg, feathers or bones)
• Honey
• Mushrooms
• Noodles
• Rice and other grains
• Nuts and kernels
• Dairy products
• Herbs, spices and pulses
• Handicrafts and artifacts (including snail and sea shells)
• Furs, feathers, bones and horns
• Cultures, organisms, biological specimens
• Insects, reptiles and embryos (live or dead)
• Used machinery and equipment
• Soil, sand and rocks
• Any other quarantine related materials.

Beginnings

After we retired we talked about places we would like to visit.  There are many places in the world we would like to go see.  Two of those places are Fiji and New Zealand, however, we were not sure who would go with us. When we were in Minnesota visiting Greta's relatives two years ago, we happened to spend a couple of days with her cousin Sandy Pauly and her husband, Dave.  We mentioned we were thinking about going to those two places and they wistfully said they sure would like to do that.  So, we said they could go with us when we put it together.  Last fall I reserved a place to stay in Fiji and tentativily in New Zealand and emailed them saying that I had done so and asked if they were ready to go.  They resoundingly said "Yes!".  So for the past year we have been reading the Lonely Planet books on Fiji and New Zealand and working with a travel agent to plan out our trip.  Now we are within a few days of going and are getting pretty excited about it.  We will spend 10 days in Fiji and then go to New Zealand for 4 1/2 weeks.  Here is our itinerary:

Fiji/New Zealand Itinerary

10/20/12  5:00pm Depart Portland for Los Angeles
                11:30pm Depart Los Angeles for Fiji
10/22/12   5:10am Arrive in Nadi, Fiji



 10/27/12   9:00am Depart via sea  vessel for Matamanoa Island
10/29/12  10:30am Return to Nadi
11/01/12    8:45am Depart Fiji for   Auckland
                 12:50pm Arrive in Auckland
11/03/12     9:00am Drive to Bay of Islands
11/10/12    Drive back to Auckland
                  12:05 flight to Queenstown
                    Drive to Wanaka
11/12/12      Drive to Te Anau
11/13/12      Drive to Milford Sound and back to Wanaka
11/17/12      Drive to Franz Josef
11/19/12      Drive to Westport
11/20/12      Drive to Nelson
11/24/12      Drive to Wellington
11/25/12      Drive to Lake Taupo
11/26/12      Drive to Rotorua
11/28/12      Drive to Auckland
11/29/12      2:15pm  Depart NewZealand
                    4:05pm  Arrive in Fiji
                  10::50pm Depart Fiji
                    1:05pm  Arrive in Los Angeles
                    5:00pm Depart for Portland
11/29/12     7:15 Arrive in Portland

There are some planned events such as snorkeling in Fiji, visiting a glow worm cave in Te Anau, traveling on Milford Sound, and visiting a Maori village in Rotorua.  But as you can see, there will be a lot of time for spontaneous events and putsing around the various places we visit.  Sounds like fun to us!