Lesson One: Hire a car!

Today I spent a LOT of money on a tour that would have been much cheaper if I’d have had the balls to rent a car while I was here. Despite that, there were definitely a few highlights on my overpriced “Nadi Tour.”

Top highlight was the cute village dog who took a liking to me. Now hold up. I know you’re all thinking, surely she’s been told not to befriend the dogs - in fact, this was Chief Tuks’ main piece of advice before I left on my sabbatical. However, this one’s tail was wagging and he totally enjoyed the head scratch he got from me. AND I DIDN’T GET BITTEN. Lucky aye Tuks? hahahaaa

The other attractions I saw today on my tour through Nadi were; firstly, a beautiful temple, which is the largest Southern Indian temple in the South Pacific. This was a  quick visit, but the temple was beautiful. I did feel sorry for the people who were walking round and round the temple in the heat with trays of coconuts and flowers. This is how they worship.

Then we went on a visit to Veiseisei Vuda Village, which is the location where the first Fijians landed. In the 1800s from South Africa and Tanzania Here I learnt about the village of 900 who are separated into 2 clans and 5 different tribes - although they are all related. Our guide told me that they were once cannibals, as eating your enemy gave a sense of power and superiority, but once they accepted Christianity all this changed. It was a real honour to be in the village and see the culture first hand. Everyone living together sustainably and in such a humble manner is something that’s hard to put into words. Such beautiful people!

Finally, I got to experience the Tifajek mud pools where I fully covered myself in mud, which is meant to heave therapeutic  properties, then washed it off and relaxed in a natural hot spring while I waited for my taxi to return. To be fair, my skin does feel great afterwards - even though my togs are ruined!!!

Tomorrow I’ve booked a half day cruise to work on the tan and have a traditional lovo lunch at South Sea Island! Can’t wait - tanning and food, two of my favourite things