Fiji (Part 2)

Our ride to Naqalia Lodge was a bumpy one, once we arrived we were given a wonderfully warm welcome by the family who run the resort. After introductions we were shown to our Bure which was only feet from the beautiful sandy beach and lapping waves, as good as the previous island was this felt like paradise! 

After some lounging around in hammocks we ate lunch and then indulged our creative sides, Amy made a bracelet from shells and Mike wove a bookmark from palm leaves.

Once our masterpieces were complete Mike took advantage of the free snorkeling trip to some nearby reefs whilst Amy returned to the hammock and her book.

Later that evening after dinner we were invited to join some of the family for kava as they wished to formally welcome us to their home with a ceremony and songs, once the ceremony was over we relaxed, drank more kava and played some really fun games late into the night.

In the morning we were excited, or nervous (depending on which of us you asked) as we were going to hopefully swim near Reef Sharks! After breakfast we set off from the small island towards a reef they were known to populate. Once in the water we didn't have to wait long before a shark appeared, soon after 2 more joined us. One of the sharks was more curious that the others and did come so close that we were able to reach out and touch its rough skin.

After lunch we did the same again, Amy retired to a hammock with a book and Mike went for a snorkel. The guide introduced Mike to colour-changing coral, when disturbed it changes from a yellow-brown colour to white almost instantly, very cool!

 

Our evening was spent climbing up to the highest point on the island to enjoy the spectacular views, the hike up was tough in the heat but well worth the stunning 360 degree panoramas. We were joined by one of the resort dogs who accompanied us the whole way.

We had an early night, the following morning we found that the dog who had followed us on the hike had slept on our veranda.

We packed up and prepared to check out as it was time to head to our next resort, White Sandy Beach. Once checked out we had a couple of hours to wait before our transfer arrived, there was only one thing for it, hammocks and books!

We arrived at Turtle Bay (named for the resemblance of the headland) during low tide, this meant that the tender couldn't reach the shore and we had a 100m wade through rocky shallows to reach the beach. Once settled into our beachfront Bure we got to relaxing... again. Amy found a hammock and Mike went out for a snorkel in the bay for what he thought was only an hour or so, returning to the beach and a very worried Amy he found out that it was at least 3 hours, oops! At least he got some good photos...

 

 

That evening after dinner and a beautiful sunset we were treated to a show of music, dancing and fire dancing by the staff.

 

On the following day one of the staff showed us how to remove the flesh from a coconut and also how to make coconut milk which tasted great!

In the afternoon we departed for the activity we had been looking forward to the most, the possibility of seeing and swimming near Manta Rays. We'd been trying not to get our hopes up in case they did not show up but luck was with us and we had one of the most wonderful experiences you could hope for. 

 

Once back at the resort we enjoyed dinner, chatting with fellow travellers and a beach bonfire under the stars.

The next day was check out day which prompted yet more time spent in hammocks whilst waiting for the boat. 

Next post: Fiji Part 3