Can u still island hop if u only got to 1 island?
Trip Start
Jul 06, 2006
1
100
102
Trip End
Jul 07, 2007
Mana island, Fiji
Friday, June 29, 2007
It was a totally awesome place. The island was absolutely tiny, that to get to the hostel dormitory, you had to actually walk through the whole village! My dorm ended up being next to the local school! Basically as soon as you get there you are made to feel like a welcome part of the community, with everyone beng so friendly even the small kids. Eveywhere you go, its 'Bula, Bula' (Fijian for hello!). They all learn your name really quickly too. Its hard not to feel at home.
Somehow I managed to get in with a cool bunch of people who had made freinds with the locals who took us for free (its normally $55 each), to a sandbank which is basically just an island of sand, where we spent the afternoon swimming, sunbathing and drinking beer! If you can get on the right side of the Fijians, they are amazingly friendly and accomodating! The food was pretty good, though you would be screwed if you dont like rice! Oh and this morning, we had chocolate brownies for breakfast. Happy days (with one week to go, the diet is offically over!).
The island and surrounding sea was totally beautiful too. The sea was about 10 different blues! Once I took the time to walk around the island (a whole 3 hours!) and it honestly felt like you were in the middle of absolutely no where. No civilisation for miles around! The only thing in view, were the locals, fishing with spears.
In the evenings they had entertainment normally involving some kinda fire dance or Fijian dance. Then the locals all popped round the hostel for some beer sharing. Brilliant stuff.
Was pretty sad to leave Mana, especially as they sang us a little leaving song, before we were leaving, and some people even cried! In fact, even as I write this, I am pretty sad to leave Fiji, but New York is calling. At least I have finally righted the wrong the New Zealand did to my tan!
