Fiji Magic
The Navatiti Resort halfway between Nadi and Suva gave us a great time. The kids were well entertained as well. I liked the kava (luckily) and went numb a few times but always recovered to have a great time the next day! They had a nine hole golf course which we put to good use and apart from hitting a few frogs we didn't do too bad. The food was delicious and time was slowed to a snails pace which unfortunately continued on into happy hour which meant you got about two drinks in that time. We cycled around on hired bikes, well cycled for 10 min's and rested for 20! The beaches were beautiful and we caught the local bus into the (large) village. You can try and spot the Aussie under the bus shelter.The bridge in the photo is supposed to be the longest in Fiji.
We met Joe on a bus coming home from Nadi and he invited us to his family home for a lovo, which we readily accepted. Little Moses is Joe's nephew in the fist photo, the family home and Joe making the kava. The men prepared the fire at 11:30 and the women prepared the food. I'm pretending to have a big hand in the preparations. Lunch wasn't ready until 5:00pm that evening but I have to say it was a sensation and well worth the wait. They were a gorgeous family and it was a privilege to be part of their lives for the day. That evening we dropped Moses senior and his very hospitable wife off where they worked on our way home to the resort. We did come across a bad accident, though on the way home, which bought us back to reality pretty quick.
A trip up the river on long boats to the Mau Mau Village was an exceptional trip. It was the last cannibal village and they put on a great feast. We tried to look pretty for the pot but it was a little wet and windy.The King (not chief, apparently)took us under his wing and we were asked to dance with him, a great honor indeed! When you arrive a warrior greets you and takes you to the meeting house where you have, surprise, the numbing kava, and dancing with literally a feast. Aunty Mary made sure we didn't go hungry, in fact I could barely stand up after it. Their hospitality as usual shone through. We were privileged once again to be invited to travel in the Kings boat home!
Somehow we got up enough courage to go horse riding for the day, the trail led up to a beautiful waterfall where you could swim if you wanted to. (the photo doesn't do it justice).
That's me on Jimmy and he didn't like getting out of order with the other horses. A lot of biting and bitching went on between them. He took off at a gallop at one time over the muddy slope much to the enjoyment of the rest of the riders! I don't mind being the entertainment occasionally as long as it doesn't include broken bones!! but we did have a fantastic day and got home safely.