Fiji: Paradise Found

After a 5 hour plane ride, we arrived in Fiji!! It is so lush and unspoiled, compared to most places I’ve been.  I guess that’s because it’s run by a military right now, and they have turned tourists and resorts off from buying and building. However, in 2014 they are supposed to have an election and start a more normal government. Right now, you can buy 2 acres on the water for $75,000 FJD, I expect that number to rise in a few years.

First glimpse of Fiji

So after being welcomed by a Fijian band at the airport, we took a 3 hour “express” bus ride that was full and not air-conditioned, we were dropped off in a village of a couple hundred near our resort. There, a van took us on a very rough road about 5 km up and over a mountain to the Waidroka Bay Resort. The resort was much more bare bones than our Thailand Resort had been, but still very nice. Since the worst cyclone in 20 years had hit Fiji on Monday, closing the airport for a couple of days, and leaving the resort without power, there was only one other couple at the resort the first night.

Everyone eats dinner together at the resort-the diving instructors, managers, surfer instructor, and guest-and the food was good. The chef was part Indian, so the food was Fijian, with some Indian influences. After dinner, we hung out with the other guests and at 10, the generator shut down so the party was over. Thank goodness at night it cooled down, because without electricity, we were without a fan our air conditioning.

Our little cabin

During our three days in Fiji, we relaxed, read in the hammocks, played with kittens, kayaked, snorkeled, did a small amount of hiking, played pool, swam in a pool, and just had an all-around good time. The kayaking in the mangroves and snorkeling were my favorites. I haven’t snorkeled much (Ohio doesn’t really have much to offer in that area), but the snorkeling here was way cooler than any I’ve done before. The coral was all sorts of neon colors, the fish too, and we saw bright blue star fish! We were able to access the reef from a pontoon, which we could kayak (or long-board) to in about 10-15 minutes. Our resort was in a lagoon, so the water was calm and way out in the distance the waves crashed. The reef we snorkeled at was inside the lagoon, so the water was very calm. Once again, I will let the pictures show what we did.

Barrett reading (or probably playing Tiger Woods Golf) on the Ipad by the pool.

paradise

A view from someone's house on the top of the hill. you can see sunrise and sunset from his porch. You also get a feel for where the lagoon ends and waves start, and can see all the shallow reef area inside the lagoon.

taking the road less traveled by

some of the coolest looking trees in the world, as seen on our mini hike

3 cute kittens cuddling

kayaking into the mangroves! If you look closely, you might see some mosquito bites.

The mangroves

Oh, did I mention there are cane toads in Fiji?! Yes there were hundreds of toads that swarm the resort at night, but they're not the massive ones that are on Australia.

heading towards the reef to do some snorkeling

We basically had the resort to ourselves

jumping off the platoon! 

Ugg!

Our last couple of days in Sydney, we went to more markets, walked along more coasts and generally just enjoyed the city. One of the highlights for me (and also for Lauren) was purchasing Ugg boots for less than half price at Paddy’s Markets. It felt strange getting them when its 80s and sunny outside, but I think I’ll be glad I got them once I get home. We also walked around Balmain, a suburb that was very quaint and full of cafés. I think I'll let the pictures do the talking for some of the stuff we did our final couple days in Sydney.

Paddy's Market

Koala bear sleeping near Darling Harbour

$10 steak lunch on the Harbor!

The Strand, an old shopping mall

Sydney eye peeking out from Martin's Place

China Town

Walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Fish and chips/seafood platter

Sydney University at night (really creepy!)

Bondi Beach (Hugh Jackman was there the day before us!)

Us next to Bondi Beach

self explanatory

On our final day in Sydney, we had a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. The tour was so interesting, and our guide was hysterical. It had been projected to be finished in 3 years with a budget of $7 million dollars. It ended up taking 17 years and costing $13 million dollars. We got to see the drama theatre, which is run by Kate Blanchet, the concert hall, and the opera/ballet theatre. It was really impressive!! We also got to see the organ that took 10 years to build and 2 years to tune. Wow!

We also walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge at dusk, which was super windy, but gorgeous none the less.

The most purple lobby ever concieved

Inside the concert hall

In case I haven't included enough pictures of this building...

On Friday, we woke up at the crack of dawn, ate breakfast, and caught the train to the airport. We couldn’t believe how smooth everything went in Sydney, we never seemed to have to wait on any bus, train, or ferry, and we timed up our plane to Nadi, Fiji perfect as well!

Hiking the Blue Mountains

On "Blue Mountains Day" as declared by our itinerary, we were out on an 8:24 am train to Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains, a 2 hour train ride from Sydney. Once in Katoomba we walked through town and out to Echo Point, where we could see the famous rock formation known as the Three Sisters.

Interesting fact, the Blue Mountains get their blue tint from the oils from the Eucalyptus trees' leaves evaporating. We then hiked to the base of the 3 Sistas and down the 861 steps down the side of the formation know as the Giant Staircase.

Once at the bottom, we bush walked our way through the valley, past some waterfalls, and then up the Fuber steps. This hike took about 2.5 hours, and other than the mass amounts of steps, was rather easy. We then had a nice lunch in Katoomba and took a train to Wentworth Falls.

At Wentworth Falls, we took the Charles Darwin Walk to the falls, which took an hour of easy walking along a babbling brook.

some flowers along the easy trail

Then it was onto the challenging trails. We took the National Pass to Wentworth Pass which went straight down the side of cliffs on some ladders, and up and down some ridges. It had some gorgeous views.

We decided after the fact, that the trail was technically closed, but decided to disregard the sign.

one of the many ladders

At the very top of Wentworth falls (see picture to right)

We came down along one set of falls (which cooled us off with the spray when the wind blew) and then up another set. It was a very long hike and the sun was setting by the time we got back to the town. We napped some on the 2 hour train ride home, and then showered off and got a late dinner at a pizzeria in Sydney. After a super long day, we finally went to bed after midnight.

Sausage on the Barbie

On Monday, we looked inside St. Mary's Cathedral, then headed to the Parliament building. I asked if the chambers were open to the public, and the woman behind the desk gave us a mini tour of the building and both chambers.

inside the Cathedral

 We then went to the Bank of Australia and through a free museum there. It was actually really good and cool to learn about how the currency is made as well as the history of currency in Australia.

money printing press

Walking down Martin Place, we happened upon a free barbie lunch. We didn't have shrimp on the barbie, but did get a free sausage with grilled onions. Yum!

We then took a ferry to Watson's Bay, a posh suburb of Sydney. There, we went on a walk to South Head, which had amazing views of the ocean crashing onto cliffs below. There was also and old light house and gun emplacements. We the had some fish 'n chips at Doyle's Wharf, before setting out on a 7 km walk from Watson's Bay to Rose Bay. The walk took us past some really expensive mansions, some historic sights and houses, as well as some cliffs and beaches.

looking towards downtown Sydney from South Head

fish 'n chips!!

mansions with a spectacular iew

We then caught a ferry from Rose Bay to Circular Quay, and then a train to Petersham, eating at a Thai restaurant that was very nice. it was very good and relaxing after a long day!

thai green curry yum!

Out 'n aboot in Sydney

On our second day in Sydney, we set out to divide and conquer Sydney. We woke up and ate a lovely brekkie (that's what they call breakfast here), and then headed out to Hyde Park, located right across from our hotel. We saw the ANZAC (Austrailian and New Zealand Army Corps) memorial, the fountain, and just enjoyed the warm weather. We then went to St. Mary's Cathedral, during mass, while they were singing Christmas carols. It was like a movie.

Right across the street from the cathedral is the Hyde Park Barracks, built in 1817 to house male convicts.

We then went past the strangely beautiful Sydney Hospital (rubbed the boar for good luck), and onto the State Library of New South Wales. It was a gorgeous old building with a great large Reading Room.

Then we headed to the Royal Botanical Gardens. The highlights were the rose garden, herb garden, and beautiful views of the harbor. We also saw a cute opossum (they actually don't look like overgrown white rats here so much!) and an owl in the gardens.

As we were heading out, we passed by the Governor's House, which has free tours, so of course we took one! It lasted about an hour, and our guide was very good and taught us a lot about the history and culture of Australia. The house is still used very regularly for government functions, and there was a real Christmas tree in the foyer! It was the first real Christmas tree I've seen (or smelled) this year!

We then cut over to the Rocks and had a yummy meal at the Fine Food Store. The Rocks Market was our next stop. We bought a few gifts and tasted as many free samples of fudge, jams, and nougat as we could.

Lamb sausage with grilled onions, spicy jam, and cheese 

Then, it was on to Manly! Once off the ferry, we walked to Manly beach. On the way, there were some street performers-one playing the didgeridoo, and the other was a middle school boy practicing his trumpet on the street. I found this funny. I think he was thinking, "I have to practice, might as well try to make some money while I do it." We then walked through the Manly Market, where I bought myself a necklace.

We then went on the 10 km Manly Cove to Spit Bridge Scenic Walk, which led us up and down along the coast, trhough some jungle, on some hidden cove beaches, complete with beautiful views and lots of large lizards. It was an amazing walk with some awesome views. 

We finished around sunset and took a bus back to the wharf, and then a ferry back to Circular Quay, seeing the city lights along the way.

We had a late dinner at a Thai Restaurant and then headed home.