Quick update from Fiji!
July 21, 1998
Hello friends, family and fellow travellers! Only have a moment, so I will be brief. Am currently in Fiji in transit to Nananu-I-Ra for a few days. Did not get washed away by the tidal wave from Papua New Guinea, so mom and dad, no need to panic.
Spent the past week on Mana island flopped out on the beach doing as little as humanly possible. Went island hopping one day which was really just being shuttled around in a rickety wooden boat, of which I was fully expecting the bottom to fall out, on very choppy seas, getting soaking wet only to be dropped off on a beach for about an hour, picked up and shuttled to the next island. The highlight of the afternoon was a boat transfer on the high seas in incredibly choppy waters. We were soaked through and I was about half convinced we were not going to make it back to shore. But, at last, we arrived no worse for wear.
I have hooked up with 9, count that, 9 other girls and we are quite a sight to see. Having a great time! Talk to you soon!
Love,
Kodie
July 30, 1998
One of my more memorable days in Fiji involved some transportation gone awry. Ten girls were being transferred back to the main island via boat and then mini-van. After about an hour of flying at high speeds down narrow roads, the mini-van finally sputters, chokes and dies in a cloud of black exhaust. The driver announces the problem; out of oil. Everybody out.
So now you have ten girls with packs on the side of the road in rural Fiji. We looked pretty darn hilarious. Small Indian children were coming out of their houses to stare at us on the roadside and cars honked in passing. Finally, we are rescued by another passing mini-van. He can fit 8 of us in, but Catryn and I are still stranded.
Yet another mini-van (these things are everywhere) stops and offers to tow us with a questionable looking cable. Our driver accepts. Catryn and I are about to jump in the front van when we are told that there is no room and we will be riding in the van being towed. I am somewhat hesitant as I was always under the impression that this was not really very safe and, probably, illegal as well but we didn't have much choice so we climbed in the back. We spent the next 2 hours cruising down the highway at very slow speeds with our necks being periodically snapped back, but it did allow for an interesting view of life in rural Fiji. People just set up shop in their front yards, selling fruit and vegetables and fish laid out in the sun. Everyone shouted "Bula!" and waved as we passed. It was one of those times when suffering is actually not all that bad. We arrived safe and sound, spent a couple of days in Nadi, got bored and I changed my flight to take me to New Zealand, which is where I am now! Will spend a couple of days in Auckland and then am heading north to Whangarei and Paihia. Will let you know how it goes!
Much love,
Kodie