Fiji Time
Posted: January 25th, 2010 by Scott
When we arrived at the airport to check in for our flight to Taveuni in the morning we were not surprised when they weighted our check on bags as many airlines have started doing this for over sized bag charges. We were surprised when the guys at the desk asked us to jump up on the scale ourselves. They weren’t joking as we both first suspected. The reason was apparent when were called to board our plane. We saw a two engine “Otter” plane waiting for us and 4 other passengers.
Is there meal service on this flight?
The weighing was to strategically distribute ours and other passengers weight across the plane as to stay balanced. This was the second time we’ve flown on a twin prop plane, the first being in Central Mexico. This flight was much nicer and nearly turbulent-free with amazing views of islands and reefs below.
When we landed it was still only 8:30 am and relatively cool (probably 75F) outside so we decided to hike the mile to our campground. We arrived to a kind greeting by Bill, an Indo-Fijian who runs the place, and Anthony, an Australian working in Fiji who stays there from time to time. We set-up camp and then returned to the patio, where the others were, to relax and socialize. On Taveuni they understand how to relax. Compared to the resort we were at previously, this place was in extreme slow motion or as the locals call it “Fiji Time”. This was our chance to truly unwind for a couple days.
While on the island we did decide to break our movement-fast and put down our books for a little while, taking a taxi over to the sliding rocks and walking to the 180 Meridian (International Date Line).
Sliding on the rocks
International Date Line, "Its Monday, no its Tuesday!"
We had a great time sliding down the rocks like locals. Ok, not so much like locals. They could slide down standing up on their feet. We were of course on our butts the whole time.
After a few days of relaxing at the campground we took a long bus ride on a bumpy dirt road to the village of Lavena where we would stay over night and take a guided tour of the Coastal Walk in the morning. We left for our walk at 8am to try to beat some of the heat. Our guide, Simone took us along the waterfront past a few villages pointing out indigenous plants and animals and explaining a little about the culture and people.
On our hike
The Coast
Almost there
We made it out to our destination, the waterfalls about an hour and a half later.
The waterfall
We dropped our packs and shoes (Courtney and I, Simone was barefoot the entire trip) and swam up the river a few hundred feet to the pool and falls. There were two falls, a small 10 ft. one that you can slide off over smooth-ish rocks and a large 45 ft. one that Simone showed us how to climb and jump off. Let me tell you, 45 ft. looks a lot higher when you’re on top. The water was a wonderful 75 degrees and was quite comfortable to lounge and play in for about an hour. Afterwords we cracked open a brown coconut and ate a snack before heading back. Along the route back we were able to see the reef as the tide had shifted to low while we were at the falls. Just before arriving back at the village our guide climbed a tree and picked a few green coconuts which have a lot of juice inside to drink. We found a comfortable shady spot on the beach and he showed us how he opens them up to drink from. That was just the refreshing beverage we were looking for to cool us down after a good 1.5 hrs hiking back from the falls.
Our guide getting us a young coconut to drink
Enjoying some coconut
As we reentered the village he showed us the school that they built recently for the children of the village. They used to have to take the bus 7 km away to go to school and either board for the week or walk home in the evening after class got out. The amazing thing is that it only took the village 2 months to complete the school. It will be officially opened when school gets back in session in a week or so.
New schoolhouse for the kids in Lavena