My New Friend Peter

Breakfast at Crowne Plaza Nadi is complementary and they have several buffets everything from normal American breakfast to Indian food, to Vietnamese pho to chia pudding and an assortment of baked goods. I asked for black coffee, trying to avoid dairy, and got a beautiful cappaccino with a four leaf clover. I drank it. Feeling blessed.

I went to bed and woke up thinking that I was going to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, but I changed my mind at the last minute and decided to go shopping in downtown Nadi.

It was one of those nights that you think you're charging your phone all night, but you wake up and the battery is at 10%. Not a great way to start a travel day.

I readied myself and packed up everything and left my luggage in the room. I headed to breakfast, and then went to find a taxi. Over the last day, there have been several taxi drivers who have offered to be a personal driver/ tour guide, showing me where to go and waiting for me while I shop, visit a venue, get my luggage, etc., even offering to give me their number so I could contact them the next day. There were no taxis at the hotel this morning, but I knew I'd find one of these rogue "taxi drivers" if I went off property, so I started walking back toward the market and stores I visited last night.

I found a car with a man inside wearing a uniform and the "glass" (aka window) was rolled down, so I asked if he was a taxi. He said yes. He said he works at Turtle Island, which the logo on his uniform confirmed. He was to start work at 10 am. But he had some time, as it was only 8 am, and would be happy to drive me downtown for $20 FJ. I agreed and hopped in the back seat.

As we drove, we worked out our arrangement. He would take me shopping, wait for me, take me back to the hotel, and wait while I fetched my bags and checked out, and then take me to the airport for $50 total. I told him that I needed to be at the airport at 10:45 am. I asked him if he was going to miss work, and he said that today was his day off. This completely negated what he previously told me, and I knew he was lying, but oh well. They all like side jobs.

Everyone in Nadi knows "Peter" the driver, aka Munia (his real name) DOB 9/22/69. I told him that today was my birthday and why I was going to New Zealand. The story reveals my age, so he told me he was about the same age. Peter is an Indian man and begin to tell me about his recent first time flying in an airplane. He and his wife and grandchild went to Aukland, New Zealand to see his son who lives and works there on visa. Peter was so cute describing all the details of the flight. "First they served us a drink, then they brought out the food, then we had another drink and some wine and by the time that was done, the pilot said 'fasten your belts and prepare to land'." He spoke with the adorable wonderment of a child as they discover something new in the world.

As we were driving, he suddenly paused and seemed concerned. "Oh, there are police here," he said. "If anyone asks you, you tell them that I am your friend. I am not your taxi driver, okay? I am your friend. You tell them I am your friend. " I agreed, thinking that non taxi persons acting like a taxi must be illegal. I asked him if that was the case, and he said no. He asked me to roll up the window, and rolled it up himself with the switch from the driver seat. I was a bit confused, and internally questioned my safety, but I dismissed that thought. I felt safe.

As a fun detour, my new friend Peter took me to the Hindu Temple. Peter is Hindu. He explained to me that the Hindu people in the area, come by daily to pray and feed the gods. Twice a day, food, both lunch and dinner is served to everyone, regardless of religion. Anyone can show up to eat a vegetarian meal twice a day.

As we parked, Peter said, "So remember I'm your friend, and we met on the beach yesterday, and I am your friend showing you around."Læs mere