www.davesisland.com

Hello everyone!

Just over one third of the way through my Island Hopping experience now and its been all good so far. Spent the first four nights on one of the most northerly islands, Nacula, at the Nabua Lodge resort….I use the word resort quite loosley as really it was just a few huts on the beach but it was a great introduction to island life, with electricity only at certain times in the evening and morning and rainwater to drink, I began to feel like a proper backpacker!
Not much to do so many a night spent playing the infamous backpacker card game of “shit-head”, and passing on our skills to the newcomers of the game. - Sarah and Andy, brush up on your skills before I get to Oz!
We were even invited to a Fijian wedding, quite an honour, although it rained on the day and the church was very humid so didn’t stay right til the end.

Moved over one island to Tavewa, and stayed at the Coral View resort which was slightly more modern than the last, with 24hr electricity and a good supply of beer!
Spent two days there and played beach volleyball, crab racing and had a mini-sports day event with backwards egg and spoon and potato-sack racing included in the events.

Now staying on the next island over called Nanuya Lai Lai, at the Sea Spray resort….back to even more basic acommodation again, don’t even have electricity on our resort so using parafin lamps in the dorms, quite an experience! If you are wondering how on earth I can make an entry on the web its because on the other side of our island is the Blue Lagoon (where they filmed ‘Blue Lagoon’ and here they have a beautiful beach along with a great cafe/bar - serving excellent cocktails and snacks as well as having internet acess!

So thats it from me for a while again, off on an overnight cruise tomorrow then staying at Manta Ray resort on Naviti Island, its the season for Manta Rays so hopefully we will be in luck!

Thanks for all the emails from everyone, sorry I havent had the chance to reply but only got a short time on here - as you can imagine its very expensive.

TTFN and love to all,

Dave

Bula, and hello, fromFiji!

Wow, its hot here!
Arrived in Nadi at 2.30am yesterday morning, a full day later than I set off. Met a nice gal called Hayley on the flight and we watched Anchorman on my iPod - never get tired of that film! hehe!
Staying at the Nadi Bay Hotel and oh my word its got to be the nicest hostel (in terms of ammenities) i’ve stayed in - two pools, three bars, games room, cinema, the works….and all for F$25 a night - less than 10 quid!! The atmosphere isn’t the best but I think its just coz its such a big place and its hard to get the same ‘togetherness’ as the smaller hostels, its a nice place to chillout though and very convienent.

Just in Nadi city at the moment, its a bit of a dive but has character, if you were in to smoking weed you’d be fine here coz whereever you go people try to sell you it - must have been asked at least 10 times yesterday, even the taxi drivers are all geared up! hehe!

Met an Irish fella, Darren, yesterday and we had a bit of a chat…and decided to go Island Hopping! This means i’m gonna be extending my stay here for three weeks now instead of 10 days. We are starting off in Nacula at the top of the Yasawa island chain and moving down through the islands - cost F$399 (130 quid) for a ‘Bula’ boat pass which allows us free roam of the islands for 21 days! Bargain!
So, this being the case, I probably wont have access to phone or internet for most of the time I’m out there so apologies for the lack of comms in that time! - I have got my mobile (UK number) with me though and it appears to work here on Fiji main island, not sure if it will work on the outer islands though, I doubt it.

So I suppose its TTFN from me for a few days now, just want to wish Ernie, Kim, and Laney happy birthdays as i’m not sure if i’ll be able to send anything on the days!

P.S. Note to mum/dad, will try and ring you both tonight (my time) and have a chat, its a bit weird here now coz i’m 11hrs in front of you guys but i’ll do my best!

Its my last day in the Cooks and I have to say I’m feeling a little sad

I’ve had a wonderful time here and met sooo many nice people as well as having a few first-time experiences too.
Big shout-outs and thanks to:
Jim, Nick, Dave, Christian, Stuart, Sam, Paula, Lyndsay, Gemma, Vee, Lucy, Laura, Colin and Mata - and everyone else at the Backpackers International for making my stay a truely memorable one.

Tonight I fly to Fiji, to the captial, Nadi (pronounced Nandi) where I’ll arrive a full day later than I set off - thanks to the International Date Line which is robbing me of a day of my travels!
Not 100% sure what to do in Fiji but I have been recommended to go island hopping and that sounds like good fun….oh yeah and now i’m a fully qualified open water diver I think that diving will definitely be on the agenda! - Thanks to Simon, Jason, Ed and everyone else at Dive Rarotonga for making this possible, a great place to learn to dive!

Right, have to go now, 3mins left and counting on my internet time!

TTFN

Those of you who keep track of me may have noticed Dave’s Island has been down for a few days, its ok now though - obviously, else you would’nt be reading this!

Quick update with what i’ve been up to then…

Been in the Cook Islands, on Rarotonga (Raro), since the 27th March - I was supposed to fly to Fiji on the 1st but decided to extend my trip here as it is such a great place, so i’m now leaving on Saturday, the 8th.
Spent the first few days settling in to the hostel, Backpackers International, and I was completely taken aback by how friendly and welcoming everyone was. The hosts and guests make the atmosphere something else there and there is never a dull moment
Had a few great nights out, and it was nice to actually be able to afford drinks as well as have people to drink them with, after Tahiti where a pint was about 5 quid and no nightlife what so ever. Entered a local-style dancing competition but unfortunately failed to make it past the first round, thanks to Vee tho for being a great partner!
Also been playing quite a lot of beach volleyball, I was introduced to this on my first evening on the island and have been hooked ever since - none of us are very good but its a great laugh! The beach also features in the nightlife too and we’ve had quite a few late night bonfire beach parties, although I still haven’t managed to stay up to see the sunrise….there is still time
This week I decided to make the most of my extra time here and I’m currently just coming to the end of completing my PADI Open Water Diver course, been an intense couple of days and I dived for the first time out in the Sea today, saw a turtle as well as a few nice corals and loads of fish - got my final two dives tomorrow then I’ll be a fully qualified diver! Yay!

Tonight just chilling, its free Vodka night at one of the local bars but as I don’t like Vodka and I’m diving tomorrow I think i’ll give it a miss.

Oh, I don’t think i’ll be able to put pics up until either Fiji or NZ as they only have dial-up internet here and I’d spend all night doing it! Also a bit annoyed coz my camera has decided to break on me, think it got a bit damp at some point and wont charge - luckily I didn’t loose any pics but it was right at the start of my stay here and so I don’t have many yet, I’ll buy a disposable underwater one tomorrow though so at least i’ll get some of my dive!

Take care everyone!

TTFN