We woke up at 5AM to check-in and get through security. We actually arrived before employees were there so we waited for about a half hour and then checked in. Once we got our boarding passes, we checked out the stores just opening---one had a wii so we decided to bowl and play some tennis this morning--there's nothing like playing wii at 6 in the morning!
Then we proceeded through security and got to our gate with a half hour to spare---perfect! We boarded the plane and were off to Fiji. The flight went quickly, however, nothing was served at all--not even water/soft drinks. I bough a pack of roasted nuts/pretzels for $5 because I was starving, then put my eye mask on and took a nap. At the end of the trip, the flight attendant announced they would be spraying the cabin to protect from any bugs/contamination so the flight attendant came by with two spray containers and continuously sprayed down the entire plane---the scent followed---strong cleaner smell--nothing unbearable, but very potent.
Once we got off the plane, we were welcomed by a Fijian musician group--playing the ukulele, presented Abby and I with small white flowers. We learned that Bula means hello in Fijian and Vinaka means thank you. We would come to use both of these terms a lot during our stay!
We listened to the group for awhile and then proceeded to customs which was a really simple process--we just showed out papers, stated what food we had and they let us past--no questions, I was surprised. Then we walked into the main airport departing center--stores, fast food places, lots of Fijians trying to sell us things, asking if we needed taxis--all getting very close to us---seeing we were American and stood out, they came like flies, looking for money. We went to the currency exchange right away to get some money---it was a great exchange rate---for AUS$100-I got 174.50 Fijian $--almost 1.75X.
Then we found the shuttle to our hostel. We all got on the shaddy white van and we brought to an area which had a few backpackers where we chose Horizon---not the nicest hostel, but had AC and enough beds for all of us to stay together. It was a decent place, but seemed a bit buggy which creeped me out. It was 125 Fijian for a night=$75 and divided it among the 5 of us--not too bad. We dropped our stuff in the room and then wanted to go straight out to the beach. We were slightly shocked to see dark, dirty sand, but beautiful mountains and green patches in the background. I was very shocked to see all the garbage on the beach and how dirty the beach front looked for Fiji!
We were all pretty hungry, so Colin, Abby and I shared a cheese pizza from our hostel and Colin and I shared a Strawberry Storm---fruity drink with pineapple, cream, strawberry, coconut, and vodka--mmm delicious and refreshing. The pizza was good and gone within minutes! Austin and Misha went to Denarau for a bit so the three of us just hung out, checked out the other hostels and watched the sunset which was gorgeous!
That night as we were sitting in the internet cafe, two girls came in saying there was a tsunami coming toward Fiji---it just hit Japan and now was coming straight toward the main island we were on. I couldn't believe it and thought they were kidding. Do we evacuate, where do we go? No one else seemed nervous, but we were told next door they were watching the news and to go check it out. I went to the backpackers next door and sure enough Japan was being destroyed and Fiji was under warning and advised to relocate. I wanted to talk to the hostel manager and locals to see where to go but they just laughed at us and said to stay put, tsunamis never come to Fiji. They didn't seemed worried at all. They said they were just going to wait it out and we should go back to bed--nothing would take place until 3:15AM anyway and it was only 10PM.
I was so scared. I remember going back into my hostel, waking up Abby and packing our stuff up. I remember grabbing a hold of Colin and both of us were shaking. We just hugged each other for a few minutes---could this be the end? We have no idea what could happen or where to go.
I remember being very unsure because the natives were not telling us where to go, or wanting to take us to a more safe place off the beach. The natives said to stand at the top of their 3-story hostel and we would be safe--yeah I don't think so, especially if a 10-Meter waves comes by. I just kept asking the natives where do we go, wheres the safest place? One of the ladies told us about a place called Tanoa which was highest place of the Island and where she goes when threats like this. It was would about 3Km from the shore but 500ft above sea-level. Do we go further inland or go the highest we can---we debated this for about an hour and a half and finally got a taxi and just went with Tanoa. It was the best decision ever---it was a beautiful hotel and got a really awesome deal from the desk--only 144 fijian/night=$US80-85--what a steal! And it was gorgeous---beautiful pool, spa, restaurant, lovely lounge, rooms were really nice--much better than the hostel we would be stay in. All 5 of us stayed together in 2 Queen beds--Abby, Colin and I shared and Austin and Misha shared.
We watched the news all night---a bunch of the other backpackers also came with us and we all talked all night. I met some girls from Netherlands, Norway, Japan---these two girls were watching the news and just balling---there town and families were being destroyed and they couldn't do anything. It was horrible to watch.
Everything for us seemed to turn out okay---only a small island way north of Fiji was hit just barely, however Hawaii was being hit and Aunt Nancy, Dennis, and Mike were there---keeping them in my prayers and hoping they would be ok! I sent an email to mom to let her know I was ok and then went to sleep finally by 3AM just exhausted.
No comments:
Post a Comment