June 2004

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Monday 31 May 2004-Sunday 6 June 2004

However, things are quiet bad and diving is out for some time this week (I think a day and a half, but somehow this seems like a lifetime, given the other entertainment options here). We spend time best we can (mainly reading, playing cards, etc.) and at one point organise a algae hunt/beach cleanup.

	The group gathered round to inspect the results of an algae search on the beach. Note the coats worn by all - it does get chilly here sometimes. Must have been... ooooo... 24 Celsius at least
	Rob serving bread for breakfast, as cooked by his own fine hands. Recipe: 4 spoons yeast, 8 spoons sugar (mix and leave 30 mins), 1.5 spoons salt, 3 spoons oil, 6-7 cups flour (mix in, kneed & leave for 30 mins). Kneed once more, leave for further 20 mins before banging in hot oven for 35-40 mins. Reheat for 20 mins in the morning and voila!

Friday evening this week sees a rare treat... the local school headmaster visits the resort and brings some footage shot at a sports day, and the village round the corner. Quiet interesting, but there's more - we are treated to a showing of Austin Powers - Goldmemeber! I know this sounds silly, but after weeks with no TV/Radio/Cinema, etc. it's quiet nice. Did I already mention that any change from the norm is nice?

Our on site Medical Officer (MO) leaves on Saturday so no diving in the afternoon (yup - in fact no diving at all when there's no MO on site). Luckily there's been a spot of good planning and an early start sees two very nice rec. dives in today regardless.

	Rather arty curvy piece of Black Coral, from rec. dive on N5 survey location.
	Feather Stars, from rec. dive on N5 survey location.
	What's that thing on the reef with the big shiny teeth?... it's a Moray! There are many more lines, but I won't bore you. The consensus was this is probably a White Mouthed Moray, from rec. dive on N5 survey location.
	Very nice tree soft coral, from rec. dive on N5 survey location. I have rather a lot of pictures of this tree stuff, it is very abundant in this area, and all looking really nice too.
	As see on rec. dive on N6 survey location.
	As see on rec. dive on N6 survey location.

There's chores to be done by way of boat maintenance to fill the arvo though, and spend this time in snorkel gear scrubbing at the bottom of it, preparing for new anti-foul paint. Saturday night is quiet tame by the standards set so far too, end up chatting in the bar 'til 1-ish or something before crashing out.

Another spellbinding subset at Safe Landing, Nacula.

Just as well there was an easy going night though, as Sunday is chock a block with usual chores, then more work on the boat. The new MO also shows up so diving will continue as per norm on Monday.

Boat maintenance day on our trusty vessel Cheeky Monkey. Slightly amusing to some locals is the fact that in Fijian, 'Monkey' means... erm... one who pleasures oneself... if you know what I mean Obviously there is a plan to rename her, but we just didn't get round to it yet.

At this point, seems appropriate to mention that a good source of conversation and general interest (well, more so for some than others I guess) was generated by the local Safe Landing cat, affectionately (sometimes) known as Oreo. Although Oreo has been known to catch mice in the past, today we (the other Rob and I) tried to teach her some more about the skill... and after a while she got the idea. Hmmmm... not sure quiet what a good idea this has been, as she is beginning to think more and more that our dorm is her home, and not long after this incident dragged a dead mouse in there, in order to devour it under a bunk!

	Oreo, the safe landing cat, and a mouse who's not having a very good day!
	Oreo relaxing after a nice Sunday lunch

Oh well, sure it'll all work out for the best (although I can tell you - this wasn't so true for the mouse!). Anyhow, if you could believe the luck, Nigel (Mr boat, and everything else really, maintenance) who has been around all weekend (of course - we needed some guidance!) happens to have a laptop with him and numerous DVDs, so it's movie time again - this time the topical 'Finding Nemo'. Watch this, and hit the sack (erm - sleep sheet) pretty quickly.

Monday 7 June 2004-Sunday 13 June 2004

On Thursday the weather is too bad to dive in the morning so we go for a bit of a walkabout. The afternoon is a real treat though as out on survey we pass a heard (erm... there was much debate about this, but allegedly that's the correct term for a group, not, 'pod') of about 90 Dolphins. Sadly there's no time to hop in and snorkel with them, but very nice all the same.

Saturday and we get to rec. dive The Zoo again. As always, this site doesn't disappoint.

	As seen at the world class dive site, The Zoo.
	As seen at the world class dive site, The Zoo.
	As seen at the world class dive site, The Zoo. Fishy fact: Members of this genus are characterised by having two penisies!

However, that's the only rec. dive this week as Tevita (the skipper) is busy at the local village (Naisisili). There is a fund raising event on, to allow new amenities to built. As part of this we are invited, and visit with other guests from the resort.

	Lunch being prepared for us in Naisisili village.
	Guests and Coral Cay guys eat away after being invited to the fund raising day, here at Naisisili village.
	The Coral Cay dorm on Nacula. My home for eight weeks is the single bed, far end on the right. Mozzies aren't really a problem here, the net is only up to keep the flies off during the day. Actually, it also helps mark one's territory which is rather limited to say the least.

Monday 14 June 2004-Wednesday 16 June 2004

Playing volleyball as the sun goes down, Safe Landing Resort, Nacula.

Thursday 17 June 2004-Sunday 20 June 2004

Given how far Nacula is from mainland Fiji the plan was to pop down to Waya (just two hours on the Flyer), partake in a spot of hiking in the hills thereabouts, relax a little, and generally do something other than dive and snorkel for a bit. Good plan, eh? Only once on the boat discover that bookings really are essential and there's not much choice of accommodation on offer - oh well, do I care? I mean, so I have to take the place with cold showers and no drinking water - how is this any different from anyplace else so far? So, after a few hours, rocked up on the beach at Ade's Place to see what was in store.

Actually, this was a top little... erm... hostel if you will (but not really), next to the beach and local village. Pluses include: No chores! Female company! (biggish) hills to climb! No 5:30 beer o'clock! Top scoff (although, to be fair, you can't really beat Abraham)!

After the first evening, talked a couple of the other guests to come for a trek (if that's what you can call it) up to the highpoint overlooking our bay. Actually, this was pretty tough going in places, but only an hour and a bit later the views were really rather rewarding.

	A moss covered tree, here on a peak on Waya.
	Not the highest peak on Waya, but pretty impressive all the same.
The view from a peak high above this cove, Waya.

Returning for lunch (and a few beers!) meant a brief spell of topping up the suntan, before another excellent diversion - a local rugby match.

	The Fijians certainly do love their rugby, here's the local ground on Waya, a short distance from the local village, I think this was kindof in the school grounds. A very good game it was too.
	The gang of happy backpackers enjoy dinner at Ade's place, Waya.
	Some sort of local monument? And the peaks above. The smaller peak on the left is where we climbed the previous day.
	Sunset by the beach, Waya.

It's weird to think that during this time, the other guests were talking of 'home' sometimes, and all this made me think of, was my little corner of a dorm stuck in the back of the island slightly north of here. Bizaar but true, this really had become my home of late and I did rather look forward to returning by the time Sunday afternoon came round.

	Rob leaving Ade's place, Waya.
	Mmmmmmmm... Beeeer!