Scarborough amphibian comes ashore in Fiji
Friday, 16 April 2010 05:09
We arrived. Two white, jet lagged ghosts, fresh from our gray, wet Washington State winter for the latest Fiji Swim Safari, during which participants enjoyed five days of perfect, hot, sunny weather.
Our first full day in the Yasawa Islands was ideal and soothed one ghastly ghosts soul even if it did turn skin the color of boiled lobster in spite of SPF 55.
Grins from ear to ear were sighted as we swam from Safe Landing to the beach at Oarsman's Bay Lodge, our home base for the next five days.
White sand beneath, blue sunny skies overhead, coconut milk snack break on the beach midway through the 4.2km swim.... Aaaghhh... Then lunch in the open air overlooking where we'd just swum in, a nap and then another swim in the afternoon.
This was pretty much the pattern for the week. It's a rough life but someone has to do it. Plenty of fish and coral viewing along the way.
Sue, from Scarborough, England spent most of the time between swims, in the water, swimming, only coming ashore to feed, read a few pages and sup the odd glass of wine.
Between dozes on the beach, if we wondered where Sue was, we'd just need to scan the horizon for a snorkel or her trade mark one foot pop up.
One day we went and checked out the local pregnancy testing grounds, the Sawa-i-lau caves, so ladies if you have something to hide, watch out!
The caves are a spectacular natural phenomenon, to be sure. Another day we swam to a deserted island for a beach fire prepared lunch of fresh grilled fish and breadfruit, quite possibly the best meal we had.
There was also some cultural learning, with a visit to the nearby village to pay our respects to the elders and thank them for letting us swim in their pristine waters.
The construction technique of the chief's bure was a work of art. Another day we went on a scouting expedition in the afternoon to explore some new swims, fantasizing and speculating on the possibilities. Regular Robinson Crusoe's, we were!
Oarsman's had nightly entertainment, island style, in the form of games. But one evening the staff put on a lovely meke for the guests, a show of traditional singing and dancing complete with flower leis for everyone. The harmonizing was beautiful.
At the end of our perfect week of Safari, we were bothered by Cyclone Tomas which had been brewing to the north for a few days and, in the end, even that left us alone, taking a strange track to the south and east of us in the Yasawas, causing big damage elsewhere in the Fiji group, but thankfully merely stirring up the water enough to disturb the visibility where we were.
Five days of sun (did I mention the six tubes of sunscreen we went through?) swimming, relaxation, great company and more swimming. How could there be a better vacation ?
Ann Bailey
Washington State
John and Ann Bailey, busy professionals in their own fields, are regulars on the US Masters Swim circuit, as well as engaging in another passion, building their next yacht for their next world oceans journey.
More pics (click to enlarge):
