The beginning of a new adventure

Botaira Beach Resort

Alright, let’s get this show on the road. I've put this off for too long, so here goes… (Also I haven’t blogged before so I apologize in advance if my writing is horrible)

The day I left was probably the most indeterminate day of my life. I don’t even know if I used that word correctly, but the future was a wide open door, and I felt like I was blindly stepping into it. This became a reality when I had to leave my parents. Quickly, a flood of emotions washed over me, but I sucked those tears back like a champ and made my way through security. Two minutes later I was on the other side, and I thought, “See? You can do this”.

Luckily, I did leave on the one day where the snow wasn't going to pound the east coast. 

Despite some nausea, sweat, and stress, I would say my flights were successful. I mean… I made it on time, and none of the planes crashed so no one can argue those positives. I would just like to give a shout out to the moving walkways in the airports though. You the real MVP (I love how I’m talking as if a conveyor mechanism is a person). But in all seriousness, I do want to thank my Dad for being there every step of the way, even when he physically can’t. Every time I would get off the plane, I called and he would steer me in the right direction, which did a lot for my confidence because your home girl was seriously inexperienced with traveling, and planes, and generally navigating on my own. So Dad, you rock, man.

Alright, on with the story…

When we arrived in Fiji, Mother Nature generously greeted us with some humidity. Now, I don’t know what the temperature was, but it was something like… 5:30 am. The sun had just come up and I was already sweating. I finally understood why they put the “sweat” in “sweatpants”. Them things get toasty hella quick. But I certainly didn't change out of them after going through customs. “Why?” you ask? Because that would have been the obvious thing to do and I ain't about that life, apparently.

On our way out towards the bus, we were handed shell necklaces and instructed to keep the bags we needed for Naviti Island on hand and leave our big luggage’s there. They would be transported to the 5 star hotel we were staying at on our last night in Fiji. Soon everyone got on the buses and onward we went to go catch the ferry.

We arrived there early, which was nice. This meant I would have plenty of time to relax and buy a bottle or two of water (on the island, the tap water is no bueno). The only place open at that point was a coffee shop so I purchased two bottles for 8 Fijian dollars (that means $4 US). In line I tried to chat it up a little bit, I mostly failed but the conversations were all the same at first anyway. “What’s your name?”, “Where are you from?”, “Which university are you going to?” and “What made you choose New Zealand”? If I happened to have a conversation moving beyond those 4 questions, that was a human interaction worth celebrating (internally).

The first of those happened with a kid named Jack. He goes to URI, which I think is how the conversation began in the first place. I knew of him because we are both members of The Outing Club there. We sat and talked for a good while, which I was thankful for, otherwise I would have probably sat by myself or awkwardly with another group listening while they spoke, and participating minimally in the conversation.

One of the islands we passed on our way to Naviti

At 8:30, it was time to board the ferry and we sat on the back of the second deck. It was a three hour ride, half of which I spent at the front of the ferry. (You don’t realize how hot the sun is when you have a constant flow of wind in your face and all of us paid for it. So be warned, people, if you go to Fiji or New Zealand put on sunscreen!) Interaction numero dos: Dalton. Talking to him was cool, because we were actually both going to Auckland. So if there was one person I was going to try and get to know, it was going to be with someone who I’d probably end up spending time with after Fiji (Before that it seemed like everyone else was going to Otago). At some point, running came up and if there is one topic I can talk about without needing help, it’s that. Boom. Success. *self high-five*

Proof I was on the ferry. Picture Credit: Greg Moores

Moving on.

We got to the island, and since they don’t have a dock, smaller boats come to pick us up. This is when I basically fell into the boat, but the Fijian man caught me so it was all good. Go me… On shore, one woman handed us flower necklaces made from a leaf, the men greeted us with some music, and I grabbed a glass of orange juice and sat down. Pretty soon afterwards our lunch arrived and it was a chicken stir fry. Holla! It was the best first meal I could have had there and it was freaking delicious.

Welcoming us to the island. Credit: TEAN

After that, I decided I would cool down in the nice ocean, right? Except it felt like bath water, and didn't cool me off at all. And little did I know that there was a path I was supposed to take. So there I am stepping on shells and other such things that seek to destroy my delicate feet. You’d think I would have retreated but I didn't until one of the locals informed me of the stone path. Then on the way over I cut the arch of my foot. This was upsetting considering I already had a cut on the ankle of my same leg. Anywhoozle, there is a dock further out with a basketball hoop and diving board, but because I’m lame I didn't hangout over there. Instead I got out and went to the deck to sit on a chair, when a girl suggested turning the chairs into a “U” shape to talk. There I talked to a guy for a bit and he commented on my eyes so that was cool. Thanks, homie.

In between lunch and dinner was tea time, so I had some dense and delicious chocolate cake. When I went to the “dorm” a bunch of us were sleeping in, I talked with a few girls I determined to be “my group”. What that means is basically the group I would try to hang out with whether they actually liked me or not. When they went to get drinks, because the legal age is 18 in Fiji, I went with to try and be social.

Tea Time! Credit: Phillomina Wong

Dinner was at 7:30 pm. Fish, chicken, ribs, and sausage? I would definitely be getting enough protein here. Also, they performed some songs while we ate. After dinner, there were some games. Embarrassingly, I failed at my one attempt to do the last limbo and own everyone. After the other two games, I called it a night, and slept.

Whew! And that was only day one. Fiji time is a real thing, guys.