What a full and blessed month we had leading up to our departure. We’ve had time with friends and family, Terry took London Honors Students on their capstone trip, finishing work at HARDI, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, time with friends and family.
We flew from Columbus to Washington DC, then DC to LAX. Terry was very happy because he got moved up to business class with comfortable seats and good food/wine. Waiting for the plane in LAX was hard. We were in the international terminal and the flight did not seem organized at all. It was late, everyone was tired. We kept standing in lines not knowing where they were leading. We had to take a bus to get to the plane; we went up ramps but the flight was very good. The staff knew what to do to get us to sleep – they fed us a good meal, gave us a glass of wine, gave us a blanket and pillow and turned down the lights. Terry and I watched a show on my tablet but I fell asleep shortly after it started. I felt like I had been tucked into bed for the night. Rather amazing to have people meet up at LAX from many different countries and time zones and have us all yanked into the new time zone in Fiji.
1/9/12
We arrived in Fiji. We had traveled 26 hours and crossed the International Date Line. I couldn’t figure out if I should be tired or awake so I just took naps whenever I felt the need to do so. We arrived at the airport, gathered our bags and tried to figure out how to get to the resort. The choices were to take a private car for $150 or take the local bus for $18. We choice Sunbeam, the local bus. We rode through many little villages with all the locals. The bus stopped at a market but we had no idea what we would encounter
so we stayed in the safety of the bus. The bus dropped us off at the road beside our resort – we must have looked like two country bumpkins with our baggage, arriving at this gorgeous resort. But, we saved a lot of money by doing it that way.The resort was all inclusive. We had a wonderful Japanese dinner the first night. We sat with Madison (age 11) and her dad from Australia. Delightful conversation. That young lady endeared herself to us. I wonder what she will do in life!
1/10/12
We spent the day at the ocean, in the ocean, at the pool and in the pool. I read AWOL on the Appalachian Trail. That night for dinner we ate at the Wicked Walu – the seafood restaurant on the little island. Our reservations were for 8pm. We were led to a table on the far edge of the restaurant, looking out at the sunset and Polynesian dancers on shore. We could look down and see the fish and also saw a black tip reef shark every once in a while. Wonderful food – tex mex seafood – tuna, mahi mahi and walu with three different sauces. Probably the best seafood I’ve ever had. I felt blessed by God to have this beautiful dinner at the perfect location with my dear friend and husband.
1/11/12
We took a tour called Discover Fiji Tour. We were picked up at 8:45 and had a long bus ride to the tour site. There were 11 of us. We rode in a motorized wooden canoe to a Fijian village where we were treated to a traditional welcome ceremony, a tour of the village with preschool, ladies’ craft building and boys’ craft building. A traditional Fijian meal was prepared for us – wrapped in tin foil and cooked on coals in the ground. Everything was delicious. Then there was traditional singing and dancing. Then we took the motorized canoes upstream. We had to go through
some rapids and there was a moment when it seemed like we were not going to have enough power to get upstream. We stopped the boat in a little cove and hiked about 5 minutes up a narrow trail (with ropes to hang onto) and came to a gorgeous waterfall. We were able to swim in the pool at the base of the waterfall and enjoy the majesty of this beautiful sight. After that we left and then boarded a bamboo raft similar to ones used by early Fijian people to travel the river.A few people stand out in my mind. Tonia – a gal from Austria was taking 6 months to travel around the world. She had flown to LA, drove across USA on Route 66 all the way to NY. Then she flew back to LA and onto Fiji. Edna – a airplane mechanic from Vancouver who was planning on retiring in 5 years and live ½ year in Canada, ½ year in Fiji. I love seeing people getting to live their dreams. And then there was Lachlin and Chelsea, both age 9 – great kids.
1/12/12
Time to leave Warwick. We checked out at 11am but didn’t leave the resort until 3pm. People watching is always interesting. Lady on the beach in black bikini, goes swimming, comes out and modestly changes into a blue bikini. A little while later she goes swimming, comes out and modestly changes into a one piece suit. A little while later she goes swimming, comes out and modestly changes into a leopard print bikini. After that she left and went back to her room. I guess she was out of swimsuits.
What a nice way to end our time there – sitting in the shade by the ocean, reading. This time we took a private car back to the airport – a pleasant drive. We stayed at Raffles – a very inexpensive hotel that was lovely. Beautiful gardens, good food and gentle people.
1/13/12
On to Auckland. Just a 3 hour flight. Safely though customs, immigration, all bags accounted for. Had to pay extra for two bags, unexpected but nothing what can you do!
Cather picked us up at the airport and drove us to the hotel in downtown Auckland. Our apartment is 2 bedrooms on the 17th floor. A little quirky – virtually no drawer space, a washing machine, towel war
mer and drying rack in our bathroom, all electrical plugs on one side of the room, very dull knives. We had been here less than an hour and the fire alarm went off. I called the front desk and they said we had to evacuate the building using the stairs. So 17 flights down. All the residents were outside. Fire engine had arrived. Five fully dressed fire fighters were inside looking for the fire. Never did hear what happened but evidently it was a false alarm. Hope that doesn’t happen too frequently.This is the view from our apartment window. Slingshot is a telecommunications company in New Zealand. We can see the harbor and Sky Tower. We have a balcony but so far it has been too windy to enjoy sitting out there.
1/14/12
Today the plan is to head to Long Beach with Cather and her family. A little rain but maybe it will pass. Terry just found out that there is free wi-fi at the library and also McDonalds. Life is good!
Cather Simpson is Terry’s colleague at the University of Auckland. He will be working in her lab starting on Monday. Cather’s husband Tom is a Shakespeare scholar at the university. They have two sons – Oliver age 10 and Henry age 9. We went to Long Beach Regional Park. Had a lovely lunch at the restaurant on the beach – I had a lambburger. Then we went swimming in the ocean – refreshingly cool with gentle waves. We walked along the beach – Long Beach – very aptly named. A quiet night back at our apartment. We usually spend time watching a tv show and playing a game, also catching up on internet.
1/15/12
It’s Sunday in Auckland. We’re thinking of our friends at Linworth Road and Friendship Village. We decided to try the Auckland Baptist Temple for service this morning. A very international congregation of all ages. The children stayed for half of the service, laughing, wandering and dancing. When the children left some people went to The Global Service – a simple English sermon. We met one nice lady, Trish, and perhaps will see her next week. I wasn’t feeling too well – something was upsetting my insides so we went back to the apartment. Terry is on his own for lunch. I took a nap and am feeling better. Maybe we’ll go for a walk later tonight.
