Hey Nadi - Bula! | FindPenguins

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Trip start
November 14, 2024
Hey Nadi - Bula!Traveler
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DC is away
November 14, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
My reserved Uber was 10 minutes early. He must have known I would be ready! An early start but hey - I am on holiday! Every flight is full - so no upgrades today. Got away on time and good flying weather to first stop in BNE. A couple of hours in transit and then onto SYD. I have booked the Pullman in Mascot. I haven't stayed there before but the area is very familiar - very close to the station for an early trip to International. The plane from BNE to SYD was completely full and we were asked to place our wheely bags on their side on the overhead bins #funfact - we were on the only plane in the entire fleet that allows this! Arrived in Sydney super early so went to the lounge for a drink and some lunch. Their dishwashers were being upgraded so no glasses to be had - fizz in coffee cups - that's a new one! I hope the same isn't happening in the First Lounge tomorrow!! I took the air train to Circular Quay to take in sights that I can never get tired of. Back to Mascot and checked in. This Pullman is very good. They have given me a lovely room, choccies, and the exec lounge is pretty good - they are doing up the room upstairs but they have made a fist of the separate area downstairs #kudos. I am enjoying the food. Another early start tomorrow but a new place to experience - so looking forward to it!Read more
Traveler A straw would make it perfect!😂
11/15/24Reply
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Hey Nadi - Bula!Traveler
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Over the sea
November 15, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Had an early night after some merlot from Orange NSW and some Pullman choccies. Up early for a run around the deserted Mascot Streets. The lightest drizzle but not a problem. Caught the train to International and whizzed through security - so much better these days. In to the First Lounge with plenty of time to enjoy. Not many others at this time so plenty of room. Brekkie was 2 perfectly cooked eggs with lovely smoked salmon - tip top Benny! They are still pouring Lallier RX019 which is excellent fizz. Lallier is a house making a name for itself! Good coffee then a relax in the same seats that S&T favour! The plane was delayed an hour as they had to find a crew! Fiji time!! A duty free near the gate had a couple of decent choices. Between a Deutz and a Palmer-the Palmer won as it was on special for $75 - a bargain for a super wine. I rocked up to pay and was told $51!! On extra special and what a trophy! We finally got on our way and it was another full flight - a standard Qantas 737 but no power or interweb. Nice people next to me. Brunch was a funny breakfast mixed grill that tried! Friendly crew topped up the fizz which was nice. The cabin boss then appeared and arranged a glass (2) of Jacquart which was appreciated. Arrived in Nadi, taxi no issue and the room is nice and near the pool. Stocked up with drinks from the next door bottle oh and then some quiet time poolside. Bula indeed!Read more
Traveler Gee that is quiet.
11/15/24Reply
Traveler Which hotel is it?
11/15/24Reply
TravelerMercure
11/15/24Reply
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Hey Nadi - Bula!Traveler
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Nadi
November 16, 2024 in Fiji ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
I had dinner at the hotel on the pool deck. The temperature was the definition of 'balmy' - perfection! I chose a Fijian poached fish affair that was a mess. I couldn't tell the difference between the fish and the taro/yam. My choice though and too early in the trip I guess! Lots of kids in the pool and the din was something else. Had a good sleep though and went for sunrise run. Not much of interest around the hotel but I could get off the main road. The temperature was perfect again. I was fearful for breakfast with kids and families (and the buffet effect!) but I got there early and there were only a few adults. As I was leaving the families descended! Breakfast was good with plenty to choose - the freshest fruit (papaya & sweet pineapple). The egg station had a big bowl of chopped chilli so my chilli omelette request went well. Very nice teamed with dahl soup. Caught a taxi to the Nadi Market. None of my research re taxis had any relevance so far - no specific license plate, no meters but also no issue - totally laid back and fair. The market was even better than I expected. Large and with real pride displayed by the market folk. A serious market with chillies a feature! Natch I bought some! My taxi driver back said Saturday was the best market because the farmers were there. Interesting seeing a whole room for kava - also for consumption but I have no interest! Boring I know!! A wander through the main shopping street and looked at the main Hindu Temple. It was being renovated and the main section was completely covered. I walked through much of Nadi town and then caught a taxi back. Pooltime - it is very hot so the pool is deserted - YAY! I took some lunch in the largely deserted restaurant and enjoyed the food (with market chillies) beer and breeze.Read more
TravelerI have only tried kava once and think it is over rated so I am with you on that.
11/16/24Reply
Traveler Very pleasant
11/16/24Reply
Traveler Looks very local
11/16/24Reply
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Hey Nadi - Bula!Traveler
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Beach Day
November 17, 2024 in Fiji ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Started yesterday evening with the Palmer & Co Champagne -a lovely fizz in idyllic surrounds. Dinner was in house again - Fiji lamb curry. Lovely flavours, not filling but lousy pics! Balmy, balmy balmy! The run and breakfast were as good as - quite a bit busier for brekkie this morning but went ok. Spent the morning reading at the pool - the time flew but it didn't if you know what I mean. I booked my taxi to the airport tomorrow morning with the front desk - 3 hours I was sternly told so 5 am it is! I also got them to find a cab for the beach for me. This part of the island is not blessed with picture book beaches but Wailoaloa Beach doesn't come with the eye watering prices of Denarau so - this was my choice. Reviews are all over the shop (as usual) but I got exactly what I was expecting. Nice laid back sand in the toes stuff. Certainly felt like beach time. A leisurely sit around at Sailors Beach Club and then looked for a feed. Very expected fare on offer except for the curries and Kokoda, which is the Fijian version of ceviche - fish cooked in lime and coconut milk. I chose this and was very pleased - it was delicious and the cassava fries interesting #triumph. A very pleasant Sunday arvo. The wind has got up (the club is protected) so I won't bother with a beach walk. Get home and 'rest' at the pool. Might take the noise cancelling earpods 🙄. Won't be wondering far tonight - just soak up the climate and the relaxed feel.Read more
Traveler Lovely colours
11/17/24Reply
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Hey Nadi - Bula!Traveler
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Wineding up
November 18, 2024 in Fiji ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
A burger on my patio with a Chilean Carmenere - lost variant of Cabernet that ended up in Chile. It is a lovely drink and one we should be growing here. An early start and the run was in the dark. 3 hours prior to the airport was a good call. The airport was chockers and with few check in counters. It was very slow. Immigration was in Fiji time as well. A large modern terminal and likewise for the Premium Fiji Airlines Lounge. Good job it is a big lounge as not long after I settled in it was full house! Not bad coffee, good prosecco and perfectly cooked scrambled eggs. The congee was a good addition but lacked taste. Going to the gate was an effort as the terminal was so crowded it was like football game. The crew was late so that delayed us boarding. I was pretty pleased to see we were on an A350 - I have been looking forward to flying on one and it is worth the wait (Qantas don't have any). Even better I had an aisle seat in an EMPTY row of 3!! Very exciting watching the plane take off with the underbody camera and it's very quiet - impressed! 3/4 hour late departure but only 20 mins late into BNE. About 2 months after I booked the flights Fiji Airlines changed the departure from Nadi from 10am to 8am. This left me with a 5 hour stopover in BNE rather than 3. I have tried to change it but the prices are now over double!! (thanks Bonza/Rex) - I can sit in an airport!! However I received the bad news from the DEA CEO while waiting that I haven't been selected to the board for another term - the chair has been rolled!! Not quite sure what to think as yet - other than go to the bar and get a drink! The CNS flight ended up being delayed for nearly an hour making this a long day. Dinner (for me) was a very acceptable meat pie with an excellent Seppeltsfield Grenache. Airlines are clearly ditching plastic for all drinks in economy (Fiji was the same). The amount of plastic cups thrown out would probably be staggering! Back home now safely and in my own little tropical patch. A short trip but very relaxing - I didn't do any more or less than I expected so it was perfect.Read more
Traveler You’re funny. That is normal non-lounge crowd 😅
11/18/24Reply
TravelerWelcome back!
11/18/24Reply
TravelerThat was a quick trip. Welcome home.
11/18/24Reply
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Trip end
November 18, 2024

Hey Nadi - Bula!

DC is away

Over the sea

Nadi

Beach Day

Wineding up