New Zealand Continued

This is a view of the golf course that was about 5 miles from our hotel.  We didn't play the course because we had to leave at 9 am.  Ed complained that the ladies tees always give us a big advantage and my response was "that's why God had us bear the children and deal with all that stuff so we could play the forward tees." 

We flew from Nadi, Fiji to Auckland, New Zealand.  This is some of the group on the tour bus we will be on for the next four days. 

This was taken from our bus about 7 am on June 20th.  We were on our way to see the sights on the North Island of New Zealand.  Our bus driver is very talkative and knowledgeable about the local traditions and history.

Lorrie, Amy and Stacey trying to show how big this tree really is.  It is over 700 years old and is part of a National Park on the northern island. 

This "Hole in the Rock" is a very famous part of New Zealand.  This huge rock is in a part of New Zealand called the Bay of Islands.  While going to this beautiful site we were privileged to see several Orca(whales)that were coming to the surface.  Pictures of those will be posted later, my camera was not as equipped as some of the others.  Tonight we are staying in a motel right on the ocean.  The town is very quiet as this is their winter so tourists are not as prevalent.  I would compare it to Door County in the winter.   Tomorrow we continue with the road trip to New Zealand.

New Zealand Here We Come

The staff from the Lalati Resort saying good bye to us.  They were great people who became friends.  It is tradition for all visitors to put a flower behind their ear and when the boat leaves for the journey home, you throw the flower into the water signifying you will return. A few tears were shed but on to new adventures.

All Good Things Must End

These three ladies were our bartenders, cooks and soon became our friends.

Beth, Jack,Gayle and Jim(the four travelers who will go to Australia after our stop in New Zealand.

Greg and friend after the Kava ceremony.  Yes he is very happy.

The sunrise on our last morning.  Each sunrise was more beautiful than the last.

June 18th

Today is our last day in Fiji.  Last night we participated in a traditional Kava ceremony.  Kava is a drink prepared by the islanders that has some quite interesting effects on the body.  Before a person drinks from the coconut Kava cup you must clap once and say Bula(the Fijian way of saying hello)  AFter you drink the Kava (which is a milky type substance) you clap three times and say(Muthra). After the ceremony there was dancing, singing and alot of fun.   Then we were treated to another delicious meal followed by more singing and dancing. 

The rest of today will be a boat ride to Nadi on the main island followed by a bus tour of the island then stay overnight and then a travel day tomorrow to New Zealand.

The Beauty of it all

Sunrise at our resort.  This is a typical sunrise.

This rainbow was spectacular.  The rain lasted about an hour before this appeared.

Sunset after we viewed the Fire Dance ceremony. We had to take a 15 minute boat ride to see the Fire Dance.

Fire Dance and other fun things

Preparing the fire to walk on the hot stones

Each man walks across the stone and greets the people.

Ed did not want to try the fire dance.  He thought he would melt his shoes. 

The fire walk is done by a select few men who start training as early as 10 years old. The story about the fire walk creation involves an eel and the chief of a village.  They are trying to keep bad things from happening to the village.  Only the men on the island we are on, Beqa, are allowed to train or prepare for this ceremony.  It was very interesting.

The Adventure Continues

One of the students entertaining us with a native dance.

June 16th

Our adventure has included many things since the last post.  Some of us visited a school that is on the island.  The children are taken to school by boat at about 7am.  They return about 4 pm Monday thru Thursday.  They go on the island thru 8th grade then they have to go to the main island of Fiji to attend high school.  All are required to learn English and are encouraged to use English most of the time.  One of the statements they write is "My grandmother died at the gambling table."  This is an example of a shocking statement.

The boys wear white shirts and a Sula ( a skirt type garment) as their uniform. Girls are required to wear long dresses and tops that cover their shoulders.

Shark Dive and Other Fun Things

June 12-13

This is what we wake up to every morning.  This was taken from our front porch.

On Sunday we did our first dive of the season.  It was fun getting back into the swing of things.  The dive masters are Kirstie and Paul.  Our boat captain is named Louie.  We saw different species of fish than we have seen in the past trips.

On Sunday we took a boat ride to one of the local villages to attend church services.  The service was in Fijian.  A little difficult to follow but the children sang beautifully and the elders welcomed us with open arms.  A great uplifting experience.

SHARK DIVE

Beth with her shark bait fins.  She still has all of her limbs after the dive!!!!!

Today eleven us went on a shark dive.  At first we were a bit apprehensive as the dive masters told us the shark liked bright colors, most of us have bright green fins and snorkels.  A little bit of terror prevented a good night's sleep but we had nothing to worry about. 

We have arrived. June 11

Our flight finally showed up on the board!!!!

We fnally got to Fiji early on July 11.  The flight was long but very smooth.  Met by people from the resort and a 2 hour bus ride to the port where we took a 1 hour boat ride to the resort.  Beautiful people and a beautiful resort. 

Our greeting at the dock, singing and dancing.  Very friendly people.

On the boat to the resort.  What a great group.

The Adventure Begin

Our first flight left Milwaukee at 6 am, landed in DEnver at 9am, landed in LAX about 11 am and the wait began.

Walking from domestic terminal to international.  Playing follow the leader.

Jack watching our luggage while some of us took a little jaunt to tour LA.  The statement "Keep your luggage in sight at all times" somehow does not apply.

Join us as we experience the adventure of a lifetime in Fiji and New Zealand.  Most of us have traveled together, explored the depths of the oceans and even danced together at times. The real fun begins on June 9th.