Off from Nadi...again

Okay, after a week of relaxing and recovering in Nadi, I'm taking off to see the rest of the mainland, Viti. I've got a bus south tomorrow to the Coral Coast with a stop along the way at one of Fiji's best beaches. I'm trying to ignore the fact that the past two days have been overcast, and figure it'll be a nice day on the beach regardless. Not sure how long it'll take me two circumnavigate the mainland, probably a week or two. Last few days have been nice, mostly sitting around the bar with friends and relaxing between spastic fits where I laugh uncontrollably for several minutes. But, our fun little group breaks up after tonight so, should be in for a night of drinking, and Poo's getting back in this evening. It's rather fun to drink with Poo. And the Bitch at the bar loves playing with Poo after lunch. Alright, it's been a weird week as well, but we're having a fun time being total misfits on a beach in Fiji. Hope everyone's well, be in touch in a few days most likely when I get to Suva.

Getting an Early Start on Thanksgiving

Well, I suppose everyone's endured the travel nightmares and the hell at the supermarket over the last few days. And I've got some as well. But I'll get to those in a moment. Chef Poo has put a pinapple honey glaze on the Turkey and the girls are whipping up the Cranberry sauce, for one of the first Thanksgiving meals of 2004. Dinner will start around 10 or 11p on the 24th for everyone on the East coast. Desert sometime past midnight, as the sun sets over the beach where we've planned to have our meal.

Now, to the hardships of planning a Thanksgiving meal with: Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, Apple and maybe Pumpkin Pie are as follows. Poo spent two hours yesterday calling every place he knew of in Fiji (and he spent 5 mo. here last year), to no avail. Finally, he gave up and I tried to console him that chicken and duck would be a reasonable substitute given the circumstances of well, being in Fiji. He sulked but two hours later returned cluthing a frozen turkey in either arm. He promptly sent me out to town armed with a shopping list to buy the rest of the necessities for the meal. The shop owner took pity on me, and helped me with my shopping, celery, Coriander, carrots, potatoes and bread, and also guided me to the bathroom when my shaky stomache buckled from the strain (the next twenty minutes in that toilet is a story that told would put you off your meal, I'll save that for another time). He also held my groceries for me when emerging from the toilet asked if he minded if I took a detour to the nearest chemist.

So, I too haven't had the easiest day preparing for this meal, but meal I shall have, inviting all those I've met in Nadi during the past few weeks and hours to sit down and enjoy a nice Thanksgiving meal. I, for one, know that this is one of the few times I'll be able to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner wearing a bathrobe so I shall, might as well while I can. So, as the sun sets here, and you all get ready for bed, we'll say a toast wishing you an equally enjoyable meal (though not maybe in tropical heat, nope not missing Boston that much right now).

Back from the Islands

Made it back from a week in the Fijian Islands today, the Yasawas if anyone is keeping score. Had a great week, though there were some ups and downs to it. The major downside was I got sick the second day, from which I still haven't totally recovered. The upside is if you're going to be sick, the Fijian Islands are a really nice place to be. I will be writing in greater detail in a few days, but till then just letting people know I'm still alive, though I'm still somewhat crippled, or have the crippling.

Off to the Islands

I'm leaving Nadi tomorrow to spend a week in the Yasawah Island chain. It should be a good little trip, stopping at South Sea Island, seeing some Manta Rays, and some limestone caves. Not sure that there's internet out there so if not, I'll check in when I get back.

Fijian Weekend

Well, it's Saturday afternoon and I'm enjoying my rest after a hard week's work. Well, sorta. I have basically completed my PADI course here in Fiji, it took three days. I do have the test to take this afternoon but the 100% pass rate doesn't intidate me that much. The dives were beautiful, went to two places off a small island, called "Fish Market" and "Coral Gardens." Thousands of fish in all sorts of colors, shapes and sizes, plus one very small shark (I prefer the little ones). Been doing a bit of drinking as well, averaging about 4 hours rest per night during the dive course. I have this to say, diving seems a very good way to deal with a hangover, it's quiet, no bright lights, you're cool and float in the water, all in all a pleasant way to relax the morning after. I'm starting to get ready to move on from Nadi and see a bit more of this country, but time works different here, there exists "Fiji Time," which means from when you say you'll do something till when you actually do it, and that's rather flexible. So, I think I should push off next Tuesday, or thereabouts. My tan's coming along nicely, I'm slowly getting back to a nice shade of brown that I haven't had in a few years, since Greece, I'd say.

To follow up on my last posting, not too much else to say, the only interesting bit was the newspaper here in Fiji said that the man was hit on the road, not on the beach. I think they're very worried about the Tourism and it sounds rather worse if the tourists are being run over while sunning out on the beach.

Fatality in Fiji

Didn't think I'd be writing again so soon, but it's been an eventful day. Started my morning by beginning my Scuba diving course. Over lunch, there was a commotion on the beach, about 50m from where I sat beside the hostel's pool. Mike, the soon to be Dutch Dive Master, came running up from the beach and told me that there was someone seriously injured on the beach. He then went to get further help from Uri and Dan, the guys who run the Dive School.

I went down to see if I could help in any way, and there met Mike, who I believe was English, and from what I gathered, I think it was his first day in Fiji. His head had a deep gash on it and the other side was swollen. Blood was everywhere. He had further cuts to his chest and someone was holding a towel to his side, which I later learned where holding his intestines in his body. When he was first found, they were lying on the beach.

We got him into Uri's van and then took him to the hospital, trying to hold him steady and calm him. He was lucid during the ride, mostly talking of the pain. It took about 15 min. but we were able to get him to the hospital and transfer him onto a gurney at which point the nurses there took over. One man, Kelly, stayed there while the other five of us returned to the beach. I washed myself and then had a beer and went for a swim with some friends to clear my head. The belief on the beach was that Mike was laying out on the beach and got run over by some locals in a bus who may or may not have been drinking. In any event, a freak accident.

After walking back up from the beach I was informed that Mike died in the hospital. I don't really know what to make of this, a shattering burst of reality on a beautiful day in Fiji. There was nothing any of us could do, or could have done better, but I have to take some solace in the fact that while not one of the people that helped this afternoon, every one was ready to help a perfect stranger. I don't write about this today to alarm anyone or to make any claims that the beaches in Fiji are rather dangerous, just it's something that happened not six hours ago.

Other than that, all is well, I'm getting ready to go for my first open water dive tomorrow, and still trying to sort out what my next week shall entail. I also think that I finally managed to convince Abby and Melissa that I'm not some nut stalker of a travel agent, which on the whole, I'm rather relieved about

Among my Bretheren

During the months, weeks and days leading up to my flight to Fiji, I found people reacting to my trip with amazement, envy and skepticism. Here in Fiji, I've found my people. Most of the other travelers at the hostel I'm staying at are also headed around the world, and those who aren't are in the minority. I'm settling in nicely here, woke this morning and after breakfast and a quick dip in the pool, I headed into town with Netty to try and actually get some money. This pretty much brings us up to date, I'm now trying to figure out what my next couple of weeks will look like. First thing I believe is that I will get myself certified to go Scuba Diving, and after the course I'll head out to the Yasawa Island group for a week. On one of these islands the Blue Lagoon was filmed so that should give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Another island, South Sea Island, is small enough to completely walk around in a five minute leisurely stroll. I think my tour around the main island will follow this, but as most know, my plans are always subject to change.

Fiji at Last

Well, I'm day ahead now, it's not even noon, and already Fiji is Fabulous. Got on a plane last night in LAX which was half filled with other backpackers, including two girls whom were clients of mine back in Cambridge, what are the odds? We've made our way to a beach in Nadi, and within two hours were relaxing on the beach, worrying about our imminent sunburns. But I'm safe and incredibly sound. My next few days will be spent sorting out the details of this place, getting acclimated and eventually figuring the Feejee Experience bus that I plan to take around the main Island. So, I'm going to end this here, but to all of you that wanted to know I arrived safely, I have, and to those of you who doubted that I'd ever leave the country, I have as well. So, be good one and all, I'll update you as the weeks pass on the status of my tan, which I hope will be a nice deep one by the time I leave.

Goodbye US

Well, the day is finally here, where I draw a curtain on my sojourn in the US and take off for lands a far. I've got 8 hours till my flight leaves, I'm packing, cleaning and taking care of the odds and ends I need to do before I fly off into the blue. As always, when my time in a place draws to a close, I feel the same heart wrenching tug that always gets me. That is, until I start moving again, and find another place to explore a new people to meet. I've had an unbelievable time on the coast, however, and I want to thank everyone I met and everyone I saw for helping me to have an incredible time. I leave with a heavy heart, but one filled with wonderful memories and new friends with whom I hope to keep in touch with. Well, that's all from me for now, goodbye US, I'll be back one day I suspect, though when that is, I'd be the last to know.

Sunny Days are Here Again

Well, I'm back in LA, and I've got my ticket to Fiji booked, just ready to convert. I've spent the past days trying to sort out this whole West Coast Odyssey. I figure Fiji will give me time to work out the Black Rider, my trip through CA. Anyway, I drove back down to LA with Elinor, one of the cutest southern Debs, I ev'ah did meet, and am back at my cousin's sitting in the Sun. And in three days and two nights, I'll bid the US good bye, and I'll see you all again, when I return from the East. My phone is shutting off in the next day or so, but e-mail me if you want me to give you a call before I go. Ma, I should be calling you in a bit. So, that's the news for now, you'll be hearing again from me when I try to put into words a month on the Sunset Coast finished by the Greatest Week Ever.