With packed suitcases at the airport in LA, we were incredibly excited about the Fiji islands, but on the other hand, we also had an uneasy feeling. We couldn't say whether it was because of the 11-hour flight over an unknown part of the world or the fact that we were really going to the 'other end of the world'. But as soon as we boarded the plane and were served dinner, we were already in vacation mode. Because that's exactly what Fiji was for us: a vacation from the vacation. In Fiji itself, we arrived without experiencing September 6th, 2018, as we flew over the date line. At the airport, we were warmly welcomed with ukulele, singing, and a seashell necklace, and then taken to our first accommodation. There we spent the day with local children by the pool and tried Fijian cuisine for the first time, which convinced us from the beginning. The highlight of the first day were the friendly hotel staff who plucked fresh coconuts from the palm trees one after another and opened them for consumption. We all found the fresh coconut water and the flesh delicious - even Anna, who usually rejects everything with coconut. The next day, the real adventure started for us: island hopping. We took the ferry for about 3 hours north to Nanuya Balavu, the first dream island that would be our home for the next 3 nights. We spent the time in a 32-bed room at the Mantaray Resort. We were all positively surprised by the luxury of the resort and the food considering the price we paid, and we felt comfortable from the start. On the first evening, we met an Englishman, a Dutchman, and a German who were all traveling in New Zealand at the time and on vacation in Fiji. In the following days, we spent many funny hours together, but also got to know a group of Australians and Ben, one of the resort staff, better. Otherwise, we spent the days making the most of the 3 incredibly delicious meals a day, snorkeling, kayaking, and so on. After 3 nights, we were picked up by the ferry again towards the mainland. However, we left the ferry about half an hour earlier for the next 3 nights on the secluded island of South Sea Island. Instead of sharing the island with 100-200 people, we shared it with 6 other residents on the first night. In addition, the island was so small that you could walk around it completely in 5 minutes, and our accommodation was the only building. The rest of the island was lovingly decorated with hammocks, fairy lights, and more. At first, we thought that the next few days could be quiet and uneventful compared to the previous ones. Although we felt comfortable from the start, we also wondered what to do for the next 72 hours. But the next day, we were proven wrong: due to the proximity to the mainland, countless day visitors came to South Sea Island every day. As a result, we enjoyed countless free activities every day, such as stand-up paddling, snorkeling, a glass-bottom boat tour, and much more. There was also a small market, and an indigenous music and dance group performed during lunch. We also met an Australian couple and a German backpacker again. The food was great here too, and just like on the last island, all the staff were incredibly friendly. After the 3 nights, we returned to the main island. There, on the last evening, we met up again with the German from the second island, the Englishman, and Ben from the first island, and had a nice ending. We all felt very comfortable in Fiji at all times and met incredibly nice people that we hope to meet again during the rest of our journey or in Germany. However, we also have to say that the resort staff were the only residents we really had contact with. We are all aware that we only stayed in a 'tourist bubble' and that the reality in other parts of Fiji is likely to be different. Now we are looking forward to exploring New Zealand with a camper. Let's see what awaits us...
