Since our hotel didn't have much of a beach, it had no beach in fact, we decided the best way to experience the island lifestyle was to take a cruise or two out to one of the smaller outlying islands and kick back in the sun for a while. The first island we visited was Beachcomber Island. All of the islands have humorous names like Bounty Island and Treasure Island. It was as if the Fijians or whoever named the islands had just finished watching Pirates of the Caribbean when they were braistorming names. Beachcomber was owned by the same company as our resort, and while our hotel probided a quiet spot for older couples and wedding parties, Beachcomber was every bit the youth hostel on the sea. As soon as we landed we were ushered into the large bar that served as the launching point for most of the island's activities. Other than the bar, there were a few huts, a receptioin and a bathroom. The island was very small, about a fifteen minute walk to get all the way around it, so there wasn't room for much else. Whatever shortcomings any of the places to stay in Fiji have are almost immediately made up for when one steps into the water. I feel that this water really shouldn't be given the same name as the fishy smelling stuff that sloshes around in the Puget Sound. This water is far more beautiful, I really would consider it the supermodel of water. The water first off is clear, even when its a few meters deep you feel as if you can touch the bottom, it makes for great fish viewing from a glass bottom boat. Not only is the water clear, but it also is a very light almost green blue. Not the dark scary blue of the Sound, or the nasty green of some other Oceans. This is one hundred percent high qua aqua. Did I mention how warm it is? Perfect swimming temperature, it cools you down when the sun is hot, and when night time rolls around it keeps you warm. Miracle water indeed. The only problem, and this is a minor complaint, is the beaches. Because there is so much coral in the surrounding water, pieces of it break off and wash up onto the beach. This creates little sharp objects that one much pick their way through in order to make it from the water back to the beach. Not a bad price to pay at all. We forewent some of the more strenuous activities to lay on the beach and playing in the water. We didn't have any money so we couldn't buy drinks, but water and lunch were free so we didn't starve or suffer from excessive thirst. The weather was great all day, and concluded with a trip out to the reef to feed fish. We threw chunks of bread and naan left over from lunch into the water and hundreds of tropical fish came up to nibble. If you let the bread sit in the palm of your hand and dipped it in the water they would glide over your fingers to grab it. Pretty cool our tour guide for the fish feeding experience was very Fijian, in my mind, he sank pop songs while driving us around and tried to catch the fish with his hands. He talked to us a bit about the local desire to help sustain the reef. For many of the Fijians this was important, which was a bit of a surprise considering the state of development there. I would have thought that a less developed nation would be willing to sacrifice to get ahead but they are very conscious. He drove the boat as slow as possible while we were passing over the reef and we made several detours to pick up trash. Fun day at the beach, and I didn't get sunburned, hurray!
Comments