THE END IS NEAR

April 18, 2011

Our last full day on the ship began with breakfast and more beautiful scenery all around us.  Once again, we headed to another area for snorkeling.  This area actually was two islands that are connected by a sand bar at low tide.  We saw the most fish today, we found Nemo, and Linda saw a Crown of Thorns – which is a large and beautiful starfish that actually destroys the coral.  After an hour of snorkeling to the beach, we purchased more of those “medicinal” beers for an hour on the beach.  Back to the boat for lunch and a lazy afternoon.  We had an option to visit another school, but these retired educators stayed on board to read and snooze.

The evening took us once again by tender to the island for a visit to another Fiji village and dinner.  We were greeted by rows of women who had various handmade crafts for sale and children selling a variety of different and beautiful leis.  We invested our $2 for a lei so we could throw them off the ship later making a wish to return.  What fun!

We witnessed another Kava ceremony but didn’t imbibe this time.  A traditional dinner was served….fish, pork and chicken all cooked in the underground oven and lots of other salad and vegetable dishes that were prepared aboard the ship. The food was really yummy especially a dish made of rice, mushrooms and other unidentifiable veggies and spices served inside a baked pumpkin.  It tasted kind of like stuffing.

The residents then gave a very interesting performance of dance, warrior skills and ended with the Fijian traditional song of farewell, Isa Lei.  Beautiful voices and harmony made the performance very moving.

Back to the ship for dessert and drinks and fun.  We met in the Yasawa Lounge where Simone thrilled us on the piano with many American favorites to sing and dance to.  It was very exciting to have all 15 of us together having fun.  This trip extension did quite a bit to bond us together as a group.  Too bad it is all over. 

In the lounge area, a large mat was laid out and the crew assembled to invite any of the passengers to participate in a Kava ceremony.  They didn’t appear to be sad that so few of us partook.  Heck…it left a lot more for them.  Hopefully our crew will be able to function in the morning.

We had a group moment when we all threw our leis overboard and then retired for the evening.  Breakfast tomorrow at 7:30 and debarkation at 9 AM. 

We have a day to spend at a hotel in Nadi before we go to the airport.  Not sure what we will do.

Deedee’s fun fact:  For those of you who purchase Fiji Water (actually bottled in Fiji) in the fancy square bottles – be warned!  We were warned NOT to drink the water in Fiji.  HMMMMM?

April 19, 2011

We are waiting at the airport for our flights home.  We had some time at our hotel to swim and have lunch, before cleaning up and re-packing our bags for the final time. 

This has been a wonderful trip and we are sad to head home, but looking forward to our own homes and beds.  We have had 12 flights, 10 hotel rooms, and too many coach bus rides to count!  We found it a nice change to be in countries that speak our language and have decent toilets and toilet paper!  Food and drink did seem expensive and an $8.00 beer started to sound like a bargain.

Stayed tuned…the Serengeti is sounding good for our next adventure.