Today's my last day in Fiji. There's so much to share!! First, i would like to apologise for not calling or emailing more. Its hard to imagine, but i'm in the middle of the pacific ocean, it costs quite a bit to contact home. Phone calls are $4 per minute... It's beeen hard, I have bouts of homesickness here but it comes and goes...

First, i Traveled from Nadi for Nananu-i-ra to the Island Lodge. I camped for the first two nights in HUGE downpours. My tent turned into a parachute and was carrying my full pack across the campground. I quickly packed that up and paid a bit more for the dorm. So very nice. The island was beautiful. No one actually lives on the island so it was pretty remote and touristy. Very nice. The beach was very photo worthy. The water was Very warm and Calm, surprisingly. Lake michigan has bigger waves... I kayaked, hiked, played frisbee and snorkeled. It was amazing! I saw a group of squid, all aobut a a foot long, a smaller sized brown-colored jellyfish, and a baracuda (that was 4feet long and about a half a foot in diameter).

After lounging on the beach for a bit, i ventured down the eastern coast to Suva to a small hostel called raintree lodge. It was nice. Nestled into the rain forest. I was a bit restless there, wanting the beach again. So i left early the next day. I spent two nights on the coral coast and now am finishing up where i started inNadi.
I am meeting amazing people everywhere I go. It takes some effort to have some alone time. So far i'm liking that.

Fiji has a tradition called the Kava ceremony. It looks like muddy water and lasts like it too. They scoop it out of the big bowl with a half a coconut shell. After one cup, your mouth goes numb and tingley. One local says that's where the laid back "Fiji time" comes from. After many cups, you feel tipsy. I had a few but not too many. Its a really nice ceremony where people sit around in a circle and drink from the same cup one by one. It was first done only by the cheifs of the village. Then in 1970, all men were welcomed into the tradition. Later on, women were included. The youngest age to drink it is 19. EVERYONE drinks it here. Its a major social gathering...

On another note, i leave tomorrow for new zealand. I'll be staying a thte fat camel hostel. I'll let you know AS soon as I konw where i'll be so you can send on any letters. Sorry about the delay.
I hope all is well!!! Love to you all!!