Christmas in Fiji
What an amazing place. A week of surfing and diving on the coral coast with Myles and Jack, a private surf trip to the fabled cloudbreak, and a true Fijian island experience on Wayalailai in the Yasawas is how I've come to know this country. Eco Haven, the resort here on Waylailai, is run by the local villagers. Everyone stops to say, 'Bula', or hello in Fijian, and are just downright nice. I hung out with some local kids on top of the big rock, went for hours of snorkeling on the fringing reef, and hiked to the top of the massive granite outcroppings that make this island resemble a mini Yosemite. The guys have shared their local drink Kava, which is supposed to mellow you out kind of like marijuana, and have also taken us all out for a not so intense 'shark feeding' with one curious white tip. You could tell the guide was enjoying things when we saw dolphins on the way back.
View from the top
View looking the other way
The guests here are from all over. Spending Christmas here has brought up many discussions on how Christmas differs in different parts of the world. Some Swedish guest have confirmed that they all watch Donald duck cartoons on Christmas eve, and I was shocked how many countries open presents on Christmas eve. All the villagers here went to church which I was surprised was late to start like everything else here in the islands. Apparently 'Fiji-time' is not just an option here but rather a way of life. Especially if too much kava was consumed the night before.
Super wide angle underwater split shot of Wayalailai Island
Having plenty of free time here on the island meant lots of time spent exploring underwater. The reef right around the island was very shallow until a sudden 30ft drop off a hundred meters from shore. From here it descended into the blue abyss. There wasn't an overabundance of fish however I did spot some hunting milkfish, a lone white tip reef shark, some clownfish, and some mating squid.
Once a day we would jump in their small motor boat and head out to the outer reef for a snorkel with the sharks. It wasn't much after experiencing the Beqa Shark Dive a few days earlier but a few white tips hung around waiting to get a freshly speared fish from the guide. The ride was worth it though just to see the reef. Clear water and tons of caves, swim thrus, and caverns. The mid day light filtered into the caverns creating magical worlds of twilight.
The villagers running the resort meet the passenger boat each day with a welcome song on the beach. And the welcoming never ends until they send you off on your way with a goodbye song from the same spot. Not a bad way to wind down an epic adventure and a great year.
Vanaka Fiji.
Another peaceful day in the Yasawa Islands, Fiji. That is my bungalow, just off the beach.
As always, keep on traveling and keep posting!
- Dai Mar