Lorelei down under: The Australian Adventure: Fiji Update: Part 1

First off, I would like to apologize to those of you who have been anxiously (mom) and impatiently (mom) awaiting an update. I also apologize that I have still neglected to share my Fijian adventure... it's going to be quite a bit of writing, so I'm going to break it up over a few posts, probably with more recent updates in between.

August 27, 2009

Fiji Adventure Begins!

6:30AM- I grudgingly got out of bed after less than two hours of sleep, you've got to love last minute packing. My room was freezing cold because it faces west, away from the sunrise and is shaded by the bush-land ... which is quite nice at all other times of the day. Half awake, I got dressed, updated facebook and did a final check for my passport and all other important documents.

6:50AM- Mark comes down to my flat, bright eyed and bushy-tailed, and we head over to Nicki's. Stacy comes down to give us all a hug and see us off.

7:00AM- Nicki, Mark and I meet George down by the picnic tables to wait for our cab. Mark thinks he may have forgotten something. False alarm.

- We take our cab to Helensvale train station, it took us a few minutes to figure out how to use our go-cards to take the train, but we got it eventually. The train ride to Brisbane International Airport was about and hour and a half, which gave us all a chance to get that last little bit of sleep before the adrenaline kicked in. Eventually we arrive at the airport where we check-in (George manages to finagle us all seats together), go through customs and buy duty-free brandy for the tour guide who will be taking us to the village stay. Nicki bought some cards and attempted to teach us how to play a game called "whist", but somehow George and Mark couldn't seem to grasp it. Well, George did eventually, Mark just didn't care enough to pay attention. In Marks own words: "I just want to go wee and write in my diary". It was hilarious and frustrating all at once.

11:00AM- We board the plane! Nadi, Fiji here we come! We got an on flight meal- I seem to be the only person in the world who gets excited about airplane food. I also got a can of coke that said "Bula!" on it! ("Bula" is Fijian for "Hello" or "welcome")

On the flight, Mark and I read his lonely planet guide... he read all about the native wildlife and I read the section on Fijian history and culture.

We land at about 4PM Island time and are immediately greeted by the friendly, laid back atmosphere of the island. ("No worries, we're on Fiji time!")

- Our complementary shuttle comes and takes us to Mama's Hostel where we meet up with Luke and Trevor (They had gotten in at 6 that morning). Trevor immediately bombards us with stories of their day... many of them less than positive... it was quite irritating at the time but soon became a running joke for the rest of the trip.