Hi all,

It's been a while since I got into this, and most of you will roll your eyes when I say we've been busy, but we have, honest!  

As it's ancient history now I won't tell you too much about our NYE, except to say it was great fun and we all got home around 11.30pm.  We had spent the day on a Sigatoka River safari, which involved jetboating up the country's 2nd longest river to a village, being welcomed by the chief with a kava ceremony, lunch, singing and dancing, followed by jetboating back down the river.  This part of the country is known as "the salad bowl of Fiji" so there were lots of plantations etc to see along the way.  It was a big day out, and a really memorable one.

So, when we decided to go to Hideway resort for dinner, we expected to be back home in bed early.  But if the company is good enough you get your second wind, and that's what happened when we ran into our lovely neighbours again.  The resort put on a great little show, and the kids were happy to be involved in that while the adults ate and drank in peace.

More recently, we had an exciting hike to a beautiful waterfall.  We had to cross about 10 little streams on the way there, which was fine.  The waterfall itself was a tranquil little swimming hole itself when we arrived, but as it rained higher up the waterfall got fiercer, the swimming hole was more like a washing machine, and we felt it was time to go.  On the way back to the village the streams had become real rivers, and crossing was pretty dicey with the boys.  We were really grateful to have the help of a young boy from the village who had come along to keep an eye on us.

We've had a couple of powercuts lately, the longest went on for 2.5 days.  It's not a disaster, as we have a gas stove and BBQ, but it can be hard to sleep at night without the fans.  Also, the house has an interesting little quirk meaning that if the power is off we can't use any of the taps.  We have plenty of rainwater in the tank for drinking, but having to flush toilets with buckets of water loses its appeal after the first few hours.  The power comes back on in "Fiji time" and not a moment sooner.....

Last weekend we had an amazing couple of nights at the Radisson on Denarau Island.  The resort is only 6 months old and really world class.  Accomodation was fantastic, so were the meals and facilities, but maybe the biggest bonus for us was the Kids club.  Riley, Declan and Flynn are really doing so well with just each other for company, but it was great for them to hang out with other kids for a change.

Speaking of other kids, today is a biggie as the oldest 2 have started school here.  The facilities at the local school are incredibly basic, but the teachers and children all seem really friendly, and when I went to check on them at morning tea time they were happily playing with their new mates.  Not sure that they will learn too much academically, but the experience is priceless.  Of course they are a real novelty and won't be short of friends.  I look forward to hearing all about their first day.

Enough for now, and don't forget to keep in touch.

Michelle & crew