"Leaving on a Jet Plane, Don't know when I'll be back again"

I had enough in California but, I loved her beauty. The country was really starting to be devastated by the recession and I was spinning my wheels to survive there. My love for surfing was what was keeping me there. I hated my job and was overwhelmed by the constant sadness I could feel in the air. Everyone was getting laid off. The unemployment and homelessness was on the rise. Ian and I had decided that we would buy an RV to save money and not pay rent. We roughed it for two months. Louie was the name of our '76 Minnie Winnie. Louie was the perfect surf mobile until the cops harassed us and confiscated it a week before we were leaving. We decided to go on an adventure to Fiji a month prior.
I sold most of my things. I went back to Phoenix, Arizona to see my family for two weeks since I wasn't sure when I'd be back. I flew back to L.A. and went to Hollywood for dinner with Rikki one more time. I caught up with Ian in Ventura so, we could catch the train to L.A.X.
I was so scared I could hardly talk. I felt sad because I didn't know when I would see all the people I love again.
I'll miss all of you very much and I'll think of you often.

The flight was 11 hours and 40 minutes. Once a plane crosses the dateline you lose a day. So, it was now March 2nd when we arrived. We got to Nadi airport just in time to see the sunrise. It was beautiful. People were singing a welcoming song near baggage claim. We stayed at Beach Villa Escape. After some sleep we went into Nadi town and got invited to partake in our first Kava session.

Temple in Nadi

Drinking Kava a daily ritual among the Fijians. Kava looks like a mud puddle. It's a root that gets ground up and you put it into a bag kinda of like tea. You fill a bowl up with water and steep the bag in the bowl of water. If you drink enough Kava your mouth and face go numb and you feel a little high.

Making Kava

Having our first Kava Session with the locals

Drinking Kava for the first time

A house on the cab ride to the beach

Natadola Beach

Beautiful Natadola Beach

Natadola was the most beautiful beach on the main land

We had a cab driver take us to Natadola beach.No one was there it was beautiful. I went snorkeling for the first time. The reef was amazing!!!! The fish were beautiful florecent colors.

The next day after resting we boarded a small boat that seats 20. About an hour later we arrived at Mana Lagoon. The islanders sang us a welcoming song and we went to lunch. People in Fiji greet you by saying Bula! It means hello or welcome. Fiji is so relaxed you loose track of time and the date it's called "Fiji Time."

The view on the way to Mana Lagoon

On the boat waiting to get to get to Mana Lagoon

We were welcomed by the islanders with a song

The next 6 days were a constant party. There were about 45 people staying at our resort. Most of them stayed in dorm environment we got lucky and got to stay in a two bedroom semi private villa with a German couple. They were so cool and so sweet. During the day I went snorkeling, laid on hammocks, went swimming, drank Fiji Bitter, and listened to music with the other travelers. The water was crystal blue and beautiful. This was nothing I have ever seen before. I saw this beautiful big purple star fish. One of the days we were there it started to rain but it was still warm outside. We were all swimming in the rain during sunset. It was so beautiful. The kids were sitting on a surf board paddling around on it with an oar. I jumped on and the took me for a ride. I had a blast!!!! The sunsets were unbelievable!! One day Ian and I walked all the way around Mana island. It was very hot. We got burned. They have fruit bats and they look so cool flying through the trees at dusk. The plumerias smell amazing. And the Avacados are huge!!! Oh, and coconuts are sooo good! Every night we all had to join in for activities such as fire dancing, traditional Samoan and Fijian song and dance, and games. One night for activities they had us all separate into groups by country. Ian I were the only two Americans. We had to sing the National Anthem in front of everyone. It was so embarrassing. Neither one of us had thought of the words or sang it in a long time not to mention we're both terrible singers. Afterwards we would a have beach bonfires and gather around to play drinking games, listening to guitar, drinking, and singing. On my last day I sneaked into this ritzy resort and went swimming in an infinity pool on the other side of the island. which had a view of another island "Cast Away Island." The island Tom Hanks was stranded on in the movie "Cast Away."

Dusk

This is just beautiful

Look closely it's a fruit bat. They move quickly so, it was very hard to get a picture.

A toad. So, cute!

This is Emma A little Sweedish girl I met

Having a daytime party at the beach with people I met.....

"The Pirate Eye." We all know this look. This party carried on till the evening and I had to goto bed early.

Life doesn't get much better than this.

Two different sunrise views from my hammock. Paradise is Paramount.

Taking a walk on the beach during sunrise

Leaving Mana Lagoon