October 25 -November 1, 2009 

Train carrying  sugar cane, Lautoka, Fiji
The first leg of Fiji,  Lautoka, a.k.a "Sugar City"

     We were going to couchsurf the first few nights we arrived in Fiji, but Lyndee's friend Dozer Dave claimed he had a friend named Kevin in Fiji that we could stay with who just happens to have a six bedroom home right on the beach. Wow, what a tough decision it was, but we decided to give Kevin a shot. He he he.
     When we got off the plane I thought we overslept and they flew us to India instead of Fiji, it is that similar here (except a bit more quiet), but after a few moments we were able to slip right back into "travel mode". Everyone is so friendly here. Some of it genuine, most of it, well not so genuine. Everyone wants to be your friend. . . especially the Kalavo's. Bravo Kalavo!
Honestly what happened after he picked us up is still a blur (alot of Fiji Gold's were involved), but Kevin's hospitality is amazing! Kevin's brother Gary from Washington State was visiting as well and we were shown the local Fijian culture first hand. These guys are hilarious and a bit crazy, but we aren't so normal ourselves! They took us to a so-called private "drinking club" where we got sloshed with the local Indians. This alone was truly worth the flight over from Hawaii! These guys were lit up like a tree, their already jumbled English now complete jibberish. The one guy even passed out on the chair and fell onto the ground. The others just laughed at him at drank even more, as if the final goal was to fall right off your chair.

We partied it up the first few days, learning all the local slang terms such as; Thundered, which can be used in almost any circumstance,. For example, "Wow, I got really thundered last night", or "Geez, my legs are thundered from that walk", or even better, "Ouch, my head got really thundered from that Roman Candle you shot at it last night. Got it?" Next we have Birds. Such as, "let's go chase some birds", or "let's find some birds to bring back to the house for a bonfire", or my favorite, "do you think those birds are Kalavo's?". And at last we have the infamous Kalavo. I'm just going to use it in a sentence for you. "If that Kalavo actually thinks I am going to pay for what I can get for free, she's crazy."

     We had a chance to visit the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, which is one of the loveliest orchid gardens we have seen yet. That's me, giving a presentation on the importance of watering and caring for orchids. Huh? Yeah, I'm full of sh*t. Kevin hooked us up with a snorkel trip to a private island off the coast of Nadi, called Suluva. It is less than half a mile around and just has a few palm trees and some gorgeous white sand speckled across it's shore. The snorkeling was great, but the full body aroma therapy beachside massage I received from the local Fijian masseuse was simply divine!

Kevin, Gary, Nilla, Sam and Brad, about to partake in a Roman Candle War games. Yikes!
      We are currently visiting the Yasawa Islands off the Western coast of Fiji. It is pretty darn cool, but you'll just have to wait to find out all about it!
We have yet to try Kava, but I believe we will do so soon. I 'm pretty scared. It looks like muddy water and smells even worse, but when in Rome, I guess.
Also- we posted two blogs today so please read on to the next blog for Kauai and Oahu, Hawaii!!!!
Love from the most Bravo Kalavo place on earth- Lautoka, Fiji, Bangers and Mash forever 

Brad, Cody and Gary chillin' beachside at Smuggler's Cove

Local fresh produce market. Lautoka, Fiji