On the road again
After our first couple of hectic days travelling, and one day relaxing at the not too good hotel in Nadi, it was time to make a move again. This time we were of to Savusavu, a city on the island Vanua Levu. To get here we had to go by bus to the other side of the island of Viti Levu, a 4 hour trip on a very cold airconditioned bus. Like a pair of icecubes we rolled out of the bus and collected our 6 big bags (who says we cannot travel light...). Of we went to the shippingcompany to get our tickets and with a couple off hours to kill we went into Suva, the capital, for lunch. Here we made a pig of ourselves by ordering way too much and still managed to get through it half way, thanks to a big effort by Rob, who is not shy about eating.At 4 in the afternoon it was time to board the ship which was set to sail at 6 PM. We found ourselves a couple of seats in economyclass and thought we could make ourselves comfortable. Think again, they fill the ship up so far that people have to sit and sleep outside (it was night, raining and windy during a 12-hour trip). We were lucky to have found seats inside but at night even that wasn't all that. People all around us were lying on the floor, sleeping, snoring and farting...all night long.
After a long, sleepless night we arrived in Savusavu where we took a cab to auntie Carrie, Rob's aunt. Rob woke up the household by banging on the door and screaming for breakfast. After having met small part of a very big, friendly and interesting family we were commanded to the table by Mum who you cannot argue with. One big thing in the fijian culture is food, everywhere we go there is food and you are expected to eat and also have a second and a third helping.
After having tried a whole heap of new and different foods and flavours I can say that I haven't had anything I didn't like.
After that first breakfast it was time to exchange some gifts, chocolates from holland, a picture of us for nanna and some more small things for everybody. Rob's mum brought him a very beautifull piece off greenstone. Made especially for him with the two Maori signs that represent his ancestors on his dad's side. Rob has been walking around with it eversince and is showing it to everybody.
Mum put us in an auntie's place to stay, just up the road but far enough away to have some privacy and rest from a very busy household of nanna, 2 auntie's, an uncle, a houseguest, a niece and four running and boisterous kids.The place is a little holiday home, just up the hill, views over the bay and a very relaxing veranda where we have been sitting at nights.
The last couple of days have just been very relaxing, having lunch with Mum, dinner with the family and a few drinks at night.
On saturday we have been to the planters club, the local pub to watch the rugby. Some team, I still have to get used to all the names, in black was playing and apparently they played an awesome, phenomenal, tremendous game against a lacklustre team in yellow and green. So I had a very happy boy to take home that night...;-)
Tomorrow we are heading off to Taveuni, to try our luck on the other side of the Somosomo strait. Here we are hoping to finally get back into the water and hopefully play with some fish and say hello to some sharks. Will keep u updated on our adventure's. Love Judith and Rob
posted by Rob&Judith @ 3:00 PM
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