Hello all,
My first post of our adventure. It started on Sunday November 16th when we left home for a very long 20 +/- hour travel day. We got to Fiji at about 5:30 am, local time on Tuesday the 18th. If you do the math you will think I skipped a day. Well actually I didn’t skip it, we lost it. 🙂 Fiji as well as New Zealand and Australia are on the other side of the international date line. So while there is only a 4 hour clock difference, we’re 4 hours behind you. We’re in your tomorrow.
Tuesday was a bit of a waste as we were both sort of jet lagged. So nothing to tell there. But we dove both yesterday and today. Of course the dives have been fantastic. I have been taking lots of pictures and movies with the new GoPro camera but am not able to post the movies yet. It was kind of expensive to get internet access here at the resort so we only got it for one computer, Barb’s Mac. So I composed this on my PC then transferred it to her Mac so I could post it. There are a few pictures below but the underwater video’s will have to wait until we are in New Zealand.
We hear that the whole country is one big ice box and that the North East has been hammered with snow. I hope you are all staying warm and dry.
That’s all for now. I will update this post with underwater videos as soon as I can.
Spence and Barb
We’ve just arrived and this was our ride.
We’ve arrived at Volivoli resort and are heading down to an early lunch. After lunch, it’s nap time. 🙂
A view of Volivoli from a spit of sand jutting out from the beach.
This is the view from our room. Not too shabby.
This dive site is called “Wheat fields” and when I post the video you will see why. These gold colored sea anemones cover the top of the coral head and waving in the current, they look like a field of wheat blowing in the breeze. Really quite beautiful. When we get to New Zealand I will upload the videos.
These are very healthy reefs. Lots of life. I wish you could see the videos but I’m afraid that will have to wait. 🙁
KIA PAI TE HAERE – BON VOYAGE
Hope you are practicing your Mauri. Just don’t come back with a facial tattoo… You are going to love NZ. I spent 4 weeks there in 1976 and have a vivid memory of the amazing sites (fjords, Miter Peak, village of Trout, Milford Track, bubbling mud et al).
I think you are doing it the right way by staying long enough to really experience the country, culture and more importantly the people. A famous Mauri proverb clearly captures this: He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata! What is the most important thing in the world? It is people! It is people! It is people!
We look forward to following your exploits! Remember, the South Island has some of the best surf and trout fishing in the world.
Best Regards,
Al & Robin
I kind of thought one of those black chin tattoo’s would look good on me. You don’t think so? 🙂 I was just saying to Barb today that I really wanted to learn much more about the Mauri people and their history and culture. As for the south island, I can’t wait. We head there on the 9th of December.
Spence
Hello!
Wonderful photos! Can’t wait to see the videos. We are so jealous. The one of your island, taken from that spit of sand, is wonderful, and I especially love the view from your room! I’m looking out at blowing branches and leaves. But, hey, the sun’s out. The mountains are getting dumped on, but Boulder’s warm and dry.
We leave for Breckenridge with the boys on Wednesday, and I’m so very excited! Snow, turkey, board games – usually lots of laughing. 🙂
You didn’t happen to share a cocktail with China’s leader, Xi Pinjing, did you?? Lots of news about his visits to Fiji, NZ and Australia. Somehow I imagine that you’re a little “cut off” from all that boring stuff – more envy here.
Everything here is “normal”. Your house still stands, and the ‘hood is good.
Keep posting!!
P.S. November 17th was a very dull day. You didn’t miss a thing. 🙂
so pretty! Watch for an email from my friend Penelope Todd. She might help with contacts when you get to New Zealand.
We got an email from her. We will contact her in the next day or two.
Fenton