Bula!

We flew to Fiji via Melbourne to escape the Canberra winter for a week, staying at the Westin Denarau Island Resort. Nicholas is already wanting to go back again despite his sore foot from mosquito bites. It was a great place for rest, relaxation and a destination meet-up with Mom. Fijians are warm and friendly people, greeting us 'Bula' with a smile.

More photos here

The average temperature during our stay was high 20s C (80s F). The humidity was moderate and bearable - quite pleasant actually. We ate, swam, read, played, exercised and slept. The breakfast buffet included in our stay was a highlight. Catherine enjoyed her daily juice bar creations and the selection of tropical fruits. Eggs were cooked to our liking: fried, omelettes and poached. The local coffee was good and woke us up every morning.

The resort had plenty of activities available if we were keen. We played table tennis, volleyball, did craft, fish feeding and even aqua aerobics one morning. The resort felt like a stationary cruise ship. There was also a kids club at the Sheraton next door which Catherine joined one afternoon. Phil and I had mixed feelings about our accommodation but overall it was good. We can't complain about watching the beautiful sunset by the water every night.

We ventured out of the resort a few times and explored Port Denarau for shopping, ate at the Golf Club for dinner a couple of nights and played mini golf across the road one hot afternoon. We took the fun Bula Bus a few times and got a couple of rides on the resort's golf cart. We also booked an island half-day afternoon tour and took a boat out to South Sea Island - the smallest island in Fiji. The tour included transport, lunch, entertainment and water activities gear. It was a popular and busy tour. It was quite windy and the water got very choppy as the afternoon went on. So we didn't do any snorkelling or kayaking like Nicholas had hoped. We decided to go on the glass bottom boat which in hindsight was not a good idea. We survived. It was claustrophobic in the submarine and rocky at times. Nicholas became quite ill and considering we were closely packed inside, the rest of us managed to get through it ok. Poor Nicholas.

Back on the island we mostly lazed around. Catherine swam in the pool for a bit until we were all told to gather and wait for our tender. Phil, Nicholas and I joined a volleyball game - another highlight of our trip - until we got scratches from the coral when we hustled for the ball. Phil is at another medical check-up as we speak - his lacerations got infected. Poor Phil.

Despite the scratches and bites, we all had some lovely moments there. It was heartwarming to catch Nicholas and Catherine having special one-on-one time with Granny. I'm glad we got to experience this beautiful and warm part of the world. Vinaka Fiji.

Notes
• CBR → MEL → NAN: Virgin Australia (return - meals not included, 5 hours air travel one way)
• CBR → MEL: Catherine was the flight attendant's helper during the safety demonstration, holding the seatbelt and life jacket in her lap
• MEL → NAN: Flight was delayed about 70 minutes, sat in the aircraft while the crew accounted for each infant onboard (good to know that passenger counts are taken seriously)
• LAX → NAN: Fiji Airlines (return, 11 hours one way for Mom)
• Jumping frogs on the lawns at night
• Fish in the ocean eat bread
• Large Indian population
• Nicholas got a hole-in-one at mini golf
• Kids enjoyed working out in the resort gym with free apples
• Country #13 for the kids