First time in southern hemisphere

We landed in Nadi international airport in Fiji at 6am. After meandering our way thru customs and setting up SIM cards we connected with our driver who brought us 45 min around the island to ShangriBaca lagi
Beachy keen

After breakfast we collected our bags and unpacked a bit. Then found our way to one of the pools with a walk down to the beach. This part of the island has a barrier reef a few hundred feet out whichBaca lagi
Its a bitter day

Not much to say about this. Picture perfect.
Breakfast and a morning swim

Early rise due to the time change and we were already eating breakfast at 7am. Which then meant Aurora had us in the pool by 830. Enough time for me to swim and get back for a second buffet plate byBaca lagi
Baynes family arrival just before dinner

After some afternoon strolling around Shangri la, we met everyone at the Lagoon Terrace restaurant for dinner. Think sunset over the water catching up with friends/family you haven't seen in years.Baca lagi
Triple AAA cant get better than that

Kids after dark! Aisling, Archie and Aurora hit it off in Grande style. Triple AAA threat. Kids buffet. Kids dessert buffet. Chocolate fountain with fruit. Hide and seek and swing time
Swimming by 9am again

Into the pool! Then a walk out to the shallows between the reef a few hundred metres out and the shoreline. Fiji is surrounded by a barrier reef which protects the shore lines from the bigger openBaca lagi
Lunch date at the beach bar

Some Fiji ceviche (walu marinated in lime juice and coconut milk)
Lunch indeed

Just a few more bites and bevvies together
Slo mo

Aurora and Jess

Off to the west side of the resort

Out and about today. Breakfast then some swimming in the pool and ocean. Kayaking out to the water park with the kids. Dick found a hammock but had to leave as he was not authorized haha. Time toBaca lagi
Afternoons drift to evenings

Some lunch photos and then sunset at the Bilo Bar which is out on a far corner of the island. Very chill bar with music and sunset views.
Bilo bar

Sunset group photo

Horseing around on the beach

After some breakfast Linda and Dick took the kids on a horse tour for an hour or so. We caught up with them on the beach later.
Swimming then a storm!

Thursday afternoon we set up a whole bunch of beach chairs to get out of the direct sun. Which was fortunate as a really good thunderstorm rolled in and we flipped over from swimming to table tennisBaca lagi
Stormy!

Back to the Bilo

Bevvies and bats.....big big bats at sunset. Also some nice looking storms on the horizon
Off to the market

Some photos from the Baynes visit to Sigatoka town. They took the bus along the southern Highway. Did you know the Sigatoka banana virus from 100 years back began here? But there are still manyBaca lagi
Cuvu district School visit

We took a little bus over to the Cuvu district school (nearest village in surrounding area). 180 students from kindergarten to grade 8, in a 10 room school area surrounding an outdoor field and aBaca lagi
Chief for a day

We stopped in Yadua village after the school and were able to participate in a kava ceremony. Aurora volunteered me to be the chief of our group. We met some of the elders and heard their stories andBaca lagi
Tuckers icecream!

Tucker will understand
Marau village

Tonight we enjoyed a traditional Fijian feast with chicken love and fish lovo (and a whole roast pig!) https://gofiji.net/popular-fijian-lovo-recipe/ with various taro dishes and then a fireBaca lagi