Today, Saturday, was quite the day. It started super early so we could catch a mini bus. We went to Nasouri where we waited for another mini bus to take us to Korovou. While we were waiting, Alex (one of my team members) got her wallet stolen our of her backpack. Sucks. She had a lot of money in there, too. So we went to the police station and filed a report, and they were actually super helpful and very nice (they kept saying "Oh I feel sorry for you Americans!" I guess Nasouri is quite the thief/pick-pocket town. So we all kept our bags a little closer. Brittany and Alex decided to stay there and get things figured out and sent the rest of us on. So we got on the mini bus to Korovou. We got there fine, but we didn't know that Takalana Bay was approximately 40 minutes to an hour away. WOOF. And we had missed the only bus that headed that way all morning. SO we started asking taxi drivers how much it would cost to get there. None of them really knew the area, and then while we were asking around, a guy in a nice truck pulled over and said "Are you the 4 travelling to Takalana for the day?" and we were said, ".....yeah?" a little hesitantly. He said "Jay, the manager there, just called and said you lot had missed your bus (we called and told them we were going to be late- there was a little bit of a schedule for the day trip) " So he offered us a ride for a high, but reasonable price. We took him up on it. GOOD THING WE DID. The road to get there was mostly dirt and very rough. No ordinary taxi would have done very well, not to mention it would take forever. But we made quick time and it was great.
We got to the bay (which was literally in the middle of nowhere) and we first talked to the people working there to find out if there was a bus to take us back, and when they told us no, we looked at Vasu (the truck driver) and asked if he could pick us up at 5 and take us back to Korovou and he said "yeah, why not?!" so we got his number (just in case) and headed for our day trip! It started with morning tea, which included about 15 different types of tea (I was lame and stuck with water) and fresh papaya (great, but a weird texture) and donuts and cake... yeah cake. Hah. So we ate and got settled. Then I put on my sunscreen (yay for pale Irish skin) and we went on the boat. I should first tell you, that Takalana Bay (that takes you to Moon Reef) is famous for it's pod of wild spinner dolphins. They just hang out in the middle of this reef area all the time. So we took this podunk little speed boat (that had to be started manually- that's how old this thing was) and we set off. It took about 20 minutes to get to the reef. It was absolutely GORGEOUS. There were 8 of us on the boat- Me, Audrey, Natalie, and Grey. And then the team of workers consisting of Jim, JR., Soko, and Eddie. They were a riot. Singing and dancing the whole way to the reef. It was a blast. We got to the area where the dolphins are and there were a TON. They would swim so close to the boat! We didn't get to touch them (they weren't close enough) but they were just feet from us! They weren't very playful, but we did see a few jump, flip, and spin. It was seriously one of the coolest experiences of my life. Then they took us to the reef and let us snorkel around. We did that for awhile, and then we got back in the boat and they (the Fijians) took turns doing flips, or tackling each other off the boat into the water. So funny. Then we headed back to the island (stopping for a few minutes at the dolphin area again) and boated back (they let Grey and Natalie drive the boat the whole way back!). We sang a bunch of songs on the way back and it was just so fun. But what we didn't notice through all the fun was... we were in the middle of the ocean... right under the blazing hot sun. Now, mind you, I put sunscreen on. And I made sure to put it on well. But I could already see some damage being done. Oy.
We got back to land and we had lunch (curry and rice, salad, and all this stuff that I'm not entirely sure what it was, but it was good). Then I put on more sunscreen. And then we went on a little hike to a waterfall, complete with rope swing and fresh water pool! I did the rope swing! So scary! I've never done one before! It was fun! And it was nice to not be in salt water! Then we had to head back to the bay because it was nearing 5. We got back and Jim (one of the guys from the boat) got us fresh coconuts and we drank the milk from it! It was pretty good!
Vasu came and got us and we headed back. As we drove (windows down) back, practically everyone waved to us! It was so fun! So we started waving to people first, and it was just great. I love how friendly everyone is here. It's awesome. We got back to Korovau and I looked down at my legs- holy red. But not everywhere. Just my kneecaps and slightly above on my thigh. What the heck?! It was so hot to the touch. Weird. We got on a mini bus to Nasouri and then hopped on a regular bus to Suva, when I started to notice that my shoulders were feeling a little hot as well. Meh.
We got off and grabbed a cab home. I walked in and immediately went into the bathroom. I lifted my shirt up off my shoulder. HOLY I'M A LOBSTER BATMAN. WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT?! I put sunscreen on TWICE. My arms, shoulders, and some of my back are SO-HO-HOOOOOOOO RED. And my arms- only the outer part is burnt. The insides are still pasty white. Just call me Two-Face. But seriously. It already feels stiff. I took a cold shower and put on some 'Aloe lotion' who knows what that means! This is the worst burn I've ever had. The next few days are not going to be pretty. I just have to keep telling myself what an amazing day it was and that it was worth it! One of the best days of my life, but at a high cost!
Gonna sleep well tonight!
Moce and much love!
Sarah
PS Hopefully pictures to come tomorrow!
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