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Fiji & New Zealand
  • Kim Veda
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  • Kim Veda

Fiji & New Zealand

A week in Fiji at the Tony Robbins Conference Center for wisdom gleaning and spa retreat. Followed by a week of exploring in the south island of New Zealand. And finally, returning stateside to Knoxville ,TN for Edison's 3rd birthday party. Read more
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  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    Marmolada Cafe

    January 23 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 52 °F

    I have booked several tours while I'm here, and this nice little cafe is my pick up spot. Nice that I can arrive early and grab a bite. Still no groceries.

    Today is a 6 hour wine tour.

    It's a cloudy day, in the mid 50's. Might get a bit of rain, but I think it's only a 20% chance. Most people here are in t- shirts, and I'm wearing a long sleeve shirt, a scarf and a coat.

    This poached egg ciabatta is awesome. The bread is perfect.

    So the story for me on New Zealand is that I've wanted to visit here forever, like 10-15 years. I was drawn to New Zealand because of the beauty, nature and... the wine. My fav wine was from NZ.

    So for years I planned that I would go to NZ for my 50th birthday. But it was covid and NZ completely shut off from the world. When I had an opportunity to go to Fiji, I knew I could not come so far, and not go to NZ. I would be so disappointed in myself. So interestingly enough, I flew into New Zealand on my 55th birthday!    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    Queenstown "Bottom of the World"

    January 22 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    I’ve arrived. New Zealand is impossibly green.

    Queenstown is wrapped in mountains, sitting right on the edge of Lake Wakatipu. The hills are a solid, velvety green with tiny trees scattered across them, a kind of landscape I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. The airport is small and rustic charming, with boarding outside and just two baggage carousels. All the shops at the airport were closed by the time I arrived; however it was still daylight, not even sunset. Getting my luggage and calling an Uber was super easy.

    I’m staying in an Airbnb on Anderson Heights near Camp Street, up on the hill overlooking the city. I got settled into the house for the week, logged into the Wi-Fi, and looked up late-night food since it was already around 10 pm. Then I headed down the hill to explore. There’s a grocery store nearby, but it was already closed, so that’s first on my list tomorrow. I’m glad I grabbed two bottles of water at the Auckland airport. Something told me to.

    I ended up at Toast & Oak, a classy spot. The kitchen was closed by the time I arrived, so it was snack menu only. Blue cheese olives and sourdough felt like the most savory, decent option, and I brought some bread back with me. If I’m running late tomorrow, at least I’ll have something in my stomach before my scheduled wine tour. My server was kind and answered a few questions about grocery stores, Uber versus taxi, need for cash and where to get it, and we talked about the Southern Lights. He used the phrase "bottom of the world" which intrigued me. I am 1300 miles from Antartica and 4000 miles from the South Pole. That seems like a long way still. New Zealand is the 8th closest land mass to the South Pole according to Wikipedia.

    Last night they had brilliant southern lights here, the same phenomenon people call the Northern Lights in the northern hemisphere. I’m hoping I get lucky and see them while I'm here. No luck tonight.

    It feels a little strange being alone on my birthday. All day while traveling, I kept looking around and wondering if I was the only American (US citizen) nearby. I heard accents everywhere, English mostly, but not American English, and it was oddly disorienting to realize I was the outlier. Part of me misses home, but another part of me feels deeply connected to the mix of people moving through the same terminals and streets, each of us carrying our own story and our own reason for being here. There’s no “that’s my people,” but instead this quiet sense that we’re all someone’s people.

    And the one good thing about being 18 hours ahead on your birthday is that you get to celebrate for two days! 🤩🥳🎉

    Also, getting back up that hill is serious cardio.    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    My Adventure Shopping in Nadi

    January 22 in Fiji ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    I was really hoping to find some real authentic Fiji shops where I could find handmade crafts and jewelry, not the fake Chinese crap that the sterile chain shops sell.

    As we drove, we stopped for fuel, and Peter added to our story of how we met. "Remember, I'm your friend, not your taxi driver. We met on the beach yesterday, and we shared a meal for dinner. You came over to my house, and had dinner with my family, and asked me to show you around today." 🤪🙊🙉

    Peter took me to Jack's of Fiji, the nice looking store full of "made in China". I looked at the store and hesitated. I told him that I really wanted a more "divey, local place" (he probably didn't understand that terminology), but he assured me that it was safer here, and they wouldn't be pushy to sell me things, and try to wheel and deal me.

    I shopped at this store while Peter waited outside. When I emerged and checked my time, I asked if there was another shop nearby, more authentic and local where perhaps I could find a wooden turtle necklace. He led me around the corner to Alweera Boutique. The sign clearly says "100% Fiji Made Products, Fijian Owned".

    As I entered, we greeted each other with jubilant and cheerful bulas, as all Fijians do. The merchant first told me that his store was authentic and then invited me to join him in a welcoming ceremony, and I, all in that I am, of course said yes.

    First things first, my shoes came off again. I was invited to sit taylor-style on the floor covered with a natural fiber rug. He covered my legs with a fabric cover and then pulled out the kava.... of course! I couldn't back out now. It did cross my mind that perhaps this merchant was working in cahoots with Peter, and they were drugging me so they could drag me out of there, rob me or worse... but I chose to trust.

    He began to make the kava in the wooden kava bowl between us, explaining as he went. "Bula" clap once. He served me, and I drink 4 oz in one toss back. This kava did not taste bad. Thank God. It was actually pleasant. Yes, still earthy, but not nasty like my previous experience. Clap, clap, clap. Vinaka. As more customers came in, they did the same thing. Children too These people are drinking kava all day long. Check out the videos of the kava ceremony.

    Peter told me that school starts next week, so that is why there are so many children and families traveling this week.

    After the kava, the merchant showed me around. Pieces carved of bone, turquoise, black coral, and coconut wood. I selected several items; declined several others, and he offered everything to me for 600 FJ$. I got him down to 400 FJ$, and feel I probably still overpaid, but he said the turquoise alone was 200 FJ$. I calculated how much I needed to give Peter (60 FJ$), increasing it some since he went the extra mile taking me to the temple, and left a little more for possible future tips and a couple of bills to keep as a souvenir, and then I paid the merchant with my remaining Fiji dollars and the rest by credit card.

    Peter was waiting for me outside. We still had time to spare, but it was time to go back to the hotel to get my luggage, get me to the airport, and get Peter back to work. He would by a half hour late.

    I asked Peter if he would take a picture of me in front of the mural at the airport, and he happily agreed. After a hug and a selfie with my new friend Peter, I headed in to catch my flight.

    There were actually 7 of us from the conference on the flight to Aukland, and Reema got me into the lounge. Charlie was there making a connecting flight in Aukland as well, so he told me exactly what to do to get to the domestic terminal for my connecting flight. This was very helpful.

    I got my checked bags and then went through customs with beagles sniffing the luggage. Then followed the green line, at least one mile walk outside, to the domestic terminal. I then checked my bags again and went through security to my gate.

    Onwards to Queensland. Sota tale, Fiji.    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    Hindu Temple

    January 22 in Fiji ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    There are a lot of Indian people in Nadi. So much so that I feel like I'm in India; I mean having never been to India.... but in my imagination, it kind of feels like India with perhaps a slightly different climate and foliage. I'm thinking India might actually be more crowded and more third world, perhaps dirtier then Nadi. But that's my imagination.

    Nadi is actually pronounced "nahn-dee" with the n being ever so slightly present. Lots of Figi words add extra consonants in them. For instance, Bula which is the traditional greeting is actually pronounced "mboo-luh". Ever so slight, almost a nasally sounding m before the b. Like purse your lips to make the b sound, and then clinch your nose closed at the same time. This will make the exact "mb" sound.

    I've never visited a Hindu temple before, but I was very eager to do so, and jumped at Peter's offer to take me. I asked if I was dressed appropriately to go, as I was wearing my shortest of shorts and nothing but straps on my shoulders. With my new friend Peter and our developing story that surrounded the origins of our relationship, I was equipped. Peter would accompany me and show me what to do.

    We approached the entrance, and I paid a $5 FJ entrance fee. (Too bad it wasn't lunch time yet.) I was given two red sarongs, and instructed to tie one around my waist and the other over my shoulders. Peter placed the fabric on my back and shoulders, and I wrapped it around and tucked it securely under my purse strap. We removed our shoes, and we were ready to enter.

    I was instructed that photos were permitted outside of the temple, but not inside. I silently observed that the temple is set up along the same lines of the Levitical tabernacle. I was well educated on the Bible, both old and new testaments and read the Bible through many times. There were detailed lessons on the tabernacle as well, likening the levels of the tabernacle to the deepening levels of worship and communion with God. There are three levels or area of the tabernacle. There is the outer court of the tabernacle that was open to everyone, the inner court that was limited to certain persons, and then the holy of holies that was limited to only the priest at specified times. The lesson continued that at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus, who became the ultimate sacrifice for all sin, there was an earthquake and the curtain to the holy of holies was torn apart signifying that God's people no longer had to depend on a priest or make sacrifices to come to God.

    I found it interesting that the Hindu temple has a similar layout. It has the outer court where you can take photos and speak more freely, then the inner court where photos are not allowed and people are praying. Then in the center of the temple is a restricted area limited to devotees only. This area is completely enclosed with just a doorway, and I could not see inside.

    The temple is beautiful. The colors are bright, the architecture ornate, and each painted mural tells a story. I wish I had more time to know all the stories.    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    My New Friend Peter

    January 22 in Fiji ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    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."    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    Evening in Nadi

    January 21 in Fiji ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    I took a walk down the street looking for shops. Didn't find much, but did pick up a Fiji t- shirt. Then I went into TruMart the grocery store and the store was so clean and straight and organized with each item having four plus fronts. Reminded me of my childhood and Dad teaching me how to display things on the grocery shelf. I thought, "Dad would really like this store. " After all the sun and tons of water today, I thought I could use some coconut water. So I found coconut water mixed with mango juice and some garlic chili roasted peas. I also bought some super glue to hold my broken fingernail together. Chicken flavored chips are a big thing here evidently. Every type of chips and flavored salty snack has a chicken flavor.

    Coming out of the store I ran into Reena and her husband. They had just eaten at the Mexican restaurant upstairs. They are from New Zealand and we are on the same flight tomorrow. They are a very sweet Indian couple.

    Dinner of vegetarian Indian food with a glass of wine tops off the night. Delicious! Indian cuisine is my favorite. It is the eve of my birthday, and I have a bunch of Fijian cash burning a hole in my pocket, all needing to be spent before leaving Fiji tomorrow. I have 2-3 hours tomorrow morning and trying to decide if I'm going into town for shopping or if I'm going to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant.

    Looking forward to that bath tonight 🩵    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler
    11

    Crowne Plaza Hotel Nadi

    January 21 in Fiji ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F

    This place is so nice. Endless pools and restaurants everywhere. Right on the ocean. Nice place to relax for the day. The ocean is very warm like Florida ocean in July. The ocean floor is soft and a little mushy, rather than gritty, which makes it feel more like a lake. The water by the coast where the waves begin crashing is a little murkier and I couldn't see what's in the water.

    There are a lot of children and families here and they are constantly having games and activities outside.

    The music is pumping club style at the bar restaurant by the ocean and there is an infinity pool with a swim up bar.

    I hung at the beach and pool all day and this Fiji sun is no joke. Im definitely sun kissed ...(cough) burnt.

    I have a bathtub in my room, so super excited about that after showering at the spa for the last week. (Spa showers were much nicer and had better water pressure than my room shower.)

    Only $220 US per night. I would definitely come back to Nadi and stay here, but get one of the first floor rooms that walk right out to your own personal pool. Highly recommend this place. It also has a conference center.

    Sunset was nice, and at sunset they had the torch lighting ceremony with the lali drums.    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    Final Spa Visit

    January 20 in Fiji ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F

    Today I had a fire balancing massage which was a massage with salt, brushing, oil, cucumber masque and finally being wrapped in banana leaves. Laying on banana leaves isn't that comfortable. I felt something poking my leg and reached down and it was a stem or something. The therapist took some pictures of me wrapped in the banana leaves. One I was done, I had chucks of cucumber all over me and I showered outside again.

    While out there I noticed that the water would spew up through the rock. I mentioned it to the therapist and she said that was the "blow hole".

    I then did my third cold plunge for the week, the hot tub and then the sauna.    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    Wasawasa Event Grounds

    January 20 in Fiji ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Coming back from the beach I took a less steep hill coming around to the beach of the dining hall. I found a narrow one foot area between the dining area and large bushes and squeezed through, lifted myself up 3 ft to the deck, then under the railing. That was my pull up for the day.

    It was only 7:30 am and no one was there so I got some photos of the event center and dining hall.    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    Savasi Beach Walk

    January 20 in Fiji ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    This is my last day here, and I feel like I've not done much exploring. It's been learning, dancing, detox, the spa... and rain. Every 30 minutes count and it took 1.5 hour to do payroll yesterday. I missed the village tour, but it was raining so I was ok with that. This morning being my last opportunity to do anything (because I'm headed back to the spa one last time at midday break), I woke up extra early to take a beach walk.

    I walked down a very steep hill winding down zigzagging back and forth to the road, being careful not to slip in the dewey grass. Then a 1/2 mile down the road to an opening to the beach.

    I haven't edited pictures yet and I'm currently in the pool in the sun so i can barely see the photos, but here is a photo dump of my gorgeous beach walk.

    A crab, mangroves, lava rock, magnolia blossoms? that look like that they came out of Avatar...    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    Wealth Mastery

    January 19 in Fiji ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    The Life Mastery part of the conference ended and today began day 1 of 3 of Wealth Mastery.

    Which means we now get food; no more liquid diet.

    I didn't sleep so well last night. I think it was the kava. I woke up with a headache too, but it quickly resolved. Had a few moments by the pool this morning, and later tried to take a nap during break but I don't think I ever fell asleep.

    Sessions today were really good delving into examining my beliefs about money and ripping up old beliefs and adopting new beliefs. I reviewed the basic principles of building wealth, investing and set my percentages of secure investments (cash, cds, bonds, notes) vs. growth or riskier investments (stocks, real estate, crypto, precious metals...). I made a list of dreams for the next 12 months, the next 2-10 years, and 10 plus years. The very last thing I added to my dream list was that I want to go to Machu Picchu in the next 12 months. Then we played a game.

    We had been instructed to bring cash, so I took out $67 US dollars. Most people had Fijian bills. The game was that one side of the room moved to the far wall, and the other side of the room the opposite wall. Then we were instructed to walk to the opposite wall and then turn around and come back to our wall, all the while doing what we usually do with money.

    As I walked to the other side of the room holding my cash and passing the people from the opposite side, I greeted them and held on to my money. A woman randomly handed me a one dollar bill as I walked past her. No words, just handed me cash.

    As I was returning to my original side of the room, a guy from Austraila asked me if I would trade a bill of foreign currency for dollars. I asked him what it was, and he said he had no idea, but maybe wherever it was from I might want to go there. I looked at him dubiously and offered a one dollar bill for it. I could clearly see that it had a 10 on it. He refused that offer, but said he would take five dollars for it. I said that I didn't know what it was, where it was from, what it was worth, or if it was even real currency. He said, "Yeah but that's what makes it fun; you might want to go there." I asked to hold the bill; and then when I looked closely, I saw that it was from Peru! My heart jumped, and I promptly gave him $5 for the Peruvian 10. Regardless of the exchange rate, it was meant to be. This Austrailian man is going to LA next month for stem cell therapy so he will be needing the dollars.

    It felt like the Universe was giving me a little wink. I'm going to Peru.... and oh so much more!

    I AM Wealth Creator!    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    Kava Ceremony

    January 17 in Fiji ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    Kava is the national drink of Fiji and is used ceremonially. Tonight we witnessed a traditional kava ceremony. The large bowls that have been in some of my photos are kava bowls.

    There is a leader who makes the kava drink. The dried herb is ground and put in a muslin type bag and then water is poured out from the coconut leaf into the bowl with the kava. The leader turns, swirls and wrings the kava bag in the water with his hands to make the tea.

    When one is ready to receive the hand, they clap their hands together one time to signal they accept. Then they raise the bowl made out of coconut hull. The leader fills their bowl with the kava tea. They drink the whole bowl like a shot (it's about 3 oz). Then the one who poured claps three times and the one who received puts the bowl down and claps three times to signal "thank you".

    The woman who poured mine said to me with a little grin, "You get three servings. " In the end I had two servings; that's about all I could handle. It's nasty bitter and it tingles the tongue. Felt like dental novacaine in my mouth. I did notice about 15 min later that my legs felt weird. I felt like my legs were longer or shorter than they actually were. It was definitely from the kava, and a sensation that Ive never had before.

    I'll have to try some kava back home to see what that's like.

    For dinner they served vegetable stew or beef stew.    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    Photo Shoot

    January 17 in Fiji

    Photo shoot this morning. Elisabeth from Austria captured some really nice photos after I saw her taking a selfie and asked her if I could take pictures for her.

    Really great day today. It was the last day of Life Mastery conference.

    If you've never been to a Tony Robbins conference, let me tell you there is a lot of dancing. Like Club Fiji. Everytime they start randomly dancing, Gina the woman who is leading the conference picks 4 or 5 people to come to the stage to lead the dancing "Tony Robbins club aerobic" style. The audience follows the moves that the dancers are doing on the stage like an aerobics workout. I have been on that stage 4 times in the last 2 days! I keep my head down, but somehow I still get picked. When they pick you and say go, you go.

    I have a mosquito bite on my leg that seems to be infected... i found some tea tree oil and consulted with Julianna who is a doctor.    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    Fijian Bobo Massage

    January 16 in Fiji ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    Bobo massage is a traditional Fijian massage where the therapist walks on you. There were 2 therapists in the room, one for me and one for Leigh who shared the room again. The therapists (one woman and one man) were laarrrrge people so I was a little concerned walking in. Like 200 plus pounds large.

    The entire massage was done with her feet. Quite amazing actually. Lots of hot oil dumped all over me. Then feet pressing into me. At one point Mary was suspended above me from a linen sling hanging from a pole so as not to put full pressure on me. But for a few seconds on my back I'm pretty sure she did. I was on a thin mattress on the floor with nothing but a towel between my legs and 4 people in the room. Leigh said the guy who was working on her had rough callouses on his feet so the massage was scratchy and exfoliating. She wasn't a fan. I thought it was great and impressive what she could do with her feet.

    After the massage, Leigh and I went in the sauna where we met a couple from Seattle on their honeymoon. The resort and spa is open to guests year around, not just for attendees of the conference.

    Speaking of feet, we don't wear shoes anywhere inside. So we take our shoes off outside the doors and then walk barefoot throughout. Anyone who really knows me knows that I have a bit of OCD and dirty floors and walking barefoot (unless of course in my own home or on the beach) is not my thing. With all the rain and mud we are walking through you can imagine... this conference is stretching me in many ways. I'm so glad i brought my sketchers sandals. They have been amazing with the rain and mud.

    Later...

    There was a gorgeous sunset tonight, the first we've seen here.

    Tonight's session:
    How to make dreams a reality. Go back and think of things you accomplished in the past that at one point seemed impossible. Make a list. What did you do to get there? What were the steps you took from the point that it was an idea to the point that it manifested? Compare a few different things you've accomplished. What do they have in common? This is your blueprint for how to turn your dreams into reality.

    Sage's 7 Truths to Inner Freedom started out the content on relationship mastery. See photo.

    Day 3 complete.    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    Day 3 The Sun is Shining

    January 16 in Fiji ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F

    Finally the sun is shining. We're still tromping through mud, but the moods seem brighter.

    This morning there was a rainbow.

    Yesterday's massage and facial was fantastic. Better than the day before. The therapist did my hair with the hibiscus. I return again today during the mid day break.

    Evidently I'm the poster child for colonics. Regular monthly colonics for years now and my colon is clean. I'm a believer. If you have never tried it, I highly recommend.

    Back to start the day's sessions.    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    Day 2 Cold Plunging

    January 15 in Fiji ⋅ 🌧 82 °F

    It's cold plunge day! I'm not sure how cold the water was, but I'm thinking between 40-50 degrees. I was one of the first to go in, and each group of 5 people would go in together and stay in for 3 minutes.

    While they were getting the water cold, we had a dance party. So glad I got to be in the first group of people to go over.

    Coming out, my skin was beet red and it felt so good.

    A couple guys from the UK and I got a ride back over from Nanla the mother of Molly her cute dog. Nanla and her husband are the caretakers of the grounds. Her husband is the one who builds the fire walks. We saw horses roaming free on the property, rescued by Sage. She told us that Tony comes here before his Austraila conference and that's the only time these days. Sage hasn't been here in over 5 years since they had the baby.

    You can see the nutrition plan in the photo. It's a variety of fresh juices and fruits and salads. This morning we had a celery drink and an avocado.

    I'm not sure if i mentioned it, but the reason that our flight was delayed is that a couple days before, lighting struck Nadi airport and took out the lights on the runway. This shut down all evening flights and pushed the schedule back for all flights. Savusavu doesn't have lights on it's runway, so they only do day flights.

    I'm scheduled for another massage and facial in about 45 min.

    I'm feeling really great. Immune system feels strong and energy is good.    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler
    1

    Wasawasa and Namale

    January 14 in Fiji ⋅ 🌧 81 °F

    There is limited wifi here and little signal. There is only one room in which wifi is available.

    It's raining here. Stops occasionally but then starts up again.

    Arrived to Wasawasa where I am staying just in time for my previously scheduled massage. So after checking in, I took a van over to the Namale Spa. It's very beautiful....

    More later
    January 15th, 6:30 am
    Next day. Good morning.

    We're doing a cleanse here, so there is regular fresh beverages being served: celery and lemon juice, broths and smoothies. I had a large beautiful salad yesterday for lunch with sprouts, avocado, almonds, cucumber and tomato with lemon juice and a bit if olive oil for dressing.

    The sessions (that went until 10:30 pm last night) are about nutrition, detoxing, and good health principles... the 7 channels of elimination... things that I've known since I was 15. They are a huge propronent of colonics. In fact, Tony's story is mine. He had horrible absessed acne and colonics completely healed it. My acne as a teenager wasn't quite that bad, but it was bad, worse than any of my peers. I tried everything even 6 months of antibiitics, putting clay from Georgia on my face, drinking hot lemon water every morning, Retin A which burned my face off. Nothing helped. Until colon cleansing.

    It's hilarious to meet people here, especially some of the men, who are having colonics for the first time and then talking about it. So funny! People are getting really excited about colonics over here. Mine is tomorrow morning.

    Yesterday's massage was the "Cagi (Thangi) Air Balancing Treatment". It was 2 hours long and there was a salt scrub, skin brushing, liberal amounts of oil dripping down my sides, hot stones, massage, a masque, a steam tent, a cooling facial masque, then a wipe down.

    The room at the Namale spa was traditional and gorgeous. The ceilings are made of bamboo and thatch and tied together with twine. It is about 30 feet tall and has lights shining on it highlighting the beautiful wood.

    On the tile floor beneath my face cradle was a black stone bowl with floating hibiscus flowers. There was a second table with another woman being massaged there behind the partition.

    The room was open to the outside with a view of the ocean and the constant sounds of the ocean crashing below. The rain hitting the tin roof would vary from light to heavy. When the heavy rain came in, the ocean crashed harder and louder and the room cooled down significantly.

    After my massage I found a shower outside on the lovely deck overlooking the ocean. There was a large bowl of floating flowers on the floor. The shower had a black lava stone wall on one side, so there was at least some semblance of privacy. The water was hot and it felt good to be clean.

    I later met the woman who was next to me in the room, Leigh from Dallas, originally from London, is 53 and having her 5th midlife crisis. She up and quit her pharma aestetics sales job in October and is looking for her next thing. She's thinking like I'm thinking for my next life, but doesn't have any magical ideas dropped to her yet. Leigh showed me around as I was brand new here. We had lunch together.

    Evidently I do have signal in my room, for now. It's not raining this morning yet. Very cloudy. I hear a bird every now and then which gives me hope of sunshine.

    There is a 7am waterfall hike soon and I'm thinking i will go. It was weather permitting so last night i was thinking i wouldn't go but i think I'm changing my mind. I've got 20 min to get ready.

    The water from the faucets occasionally turns brown and the pressure goes up and then down to a trickle. Brushing teeth with bottled water. The toilet water is brown. They say they are testing it and it's safe for bathing.

    I'm hoping to get more pictures today, and I do return to Namale for another spa treatment this afternoon.

    It's now raining so I think the waterfall hike is off.

    My hair is a mess from the massage, shower, air drying, ball cap, rain and humidity and then sleeping... so i think I'll try to tame it before I go find some celery juice or whatever they are serving this morning... as long as it's not Kool-aid 😅    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    Nadi Airport

    January 14 in Fiji ⋅ 🌧 82 °F

    Sherry and I were the only two people on the 7:30 am shuttle. 🌞🌞 By 7:40, I was already checked in. They checked both of my bags and then had ME stand on the scale with my carry-on. 😅

    You can take water through security here. That's Sherry buying us water. Interesting candy bars.

    On a hunt for Cynthia's lost luggage. Cynthia lives in Atlanta, originally from Mexico. Her husband is Japanese and they met in Mexico. She is in real estate investments. One hour later, baggage found!

    Sota Tale means "see you later". Moce Viti means "Goodbye, Fiji."

    Still waiting. Plane is late.    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    Off to the Airport

    January 14 in Fiji ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    I always seem to be last in every line. Even people who walk in 30-60 min later end up getting checked in before me. Maybe I need to be a little more aggressive. Not sure why I'm last besides trying to handle all my luggage and stopping to take pictures.

    I was told last night that I should take the 7:30 am shuttle, even though the rest of my flight group is taking the 8:30 shuttle. She said, "There will be a lot of people at 8:30, so you should beat the rush. " Sounds like a plan.

    This morning I woke up at 5:30. Reorganized my bags. The next flight to Savusavu is a little jumper plane that only holds 19 people I'm told, and I've heard rumors of luggage weight restrictions of less than the norm.

    Just had breakfast. Curry!!! Curry eggs, Curry eggplant and potato, cumin rice. Is this how Fiji people eat? I adore curry, so I'm in heaven. It was delicious.

    Fiji bottled water actually comes from Fiji or at least it does over here. The tap water is highly chlorinated.

    The water in the toilet swishes clockwise. Is that different?

    58 FJ$ alcohol bill. The rest is paid for by the airline.

    Checking out soon. Not gonna be last this time. My bags gotta get on that plane.

    Lali is the name of the instrument.    Read more

  • Kim VedaFiji & New ZealandTraveler

    Awesome Flight

    January 13, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F

    The whole row to myself, two hot meals eaten with disposable wooden utensils, no wifi, learning new Figi words, White Lotus season 3, three chapters of the Grisham novel, a two hour nap (head wrap neck support worked great), awakened by a bratty child pitching a fit for an hour (I think because he wanted the headphones and it was brother's turn), Hangover 3 (as funny as ever), meditation soundscapes, more reading, the man behind me singing outloud (Listen to video. He randomly bursts out in song. I heard "beautiful lady" and "crying for you" "Goodbye, pretty woman. Don't make me cry for you. ")...

    The captain's name is Kash Patel? Io.

    .... and learning about Fiji.

    Fiji is comprised of 333 islands located in the South Pacific, half way between North America and Asia.

    .... that's all I know so far.    Read more

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