Adventure Thwarted

So today we were supposed to make a day of seeing the white sand beaches of the Lavena Coastal Walk and go swimming in the spectacular Bouma Falls.

At 10AM we were all slathered up with 70+SPF, had liters of Fiji water and a loaf of banana bread packed, cameras and videocameras protected in plastic baggies, and had the ubiquitous Sonia in tow. We went outside to wait (and sweat) for the taxi. He showed up 30 minutes late, which is just on time or even early in Fiji. Finally, after preparing all morning, we headed out.

It was only now that I decided to ask, how far is it? Over an hour. UGH! In 90 degree heat, blazing sun, rickety old van, no seatbelts- let alone a car seat, and PLASTIC seat liners. The fun really started when the paved road changed to dirt. Actually, it was a rock road. A really, really bumpy rock road, with some dust for good measure. We were able to go maybe 20 miles an hour so the breeze we could get was limited. We passed by a few "villages". The villagers bathed themselves, the women did their laundry and the children played naked in the fresh Fiji river waters we passed. (this, the taxi driver said, is where Fiji water comes from-- up the mountain, presumably from a fresher source) These towns were so remote and so poor, it makes the area we are staying seem like the big-city. Again, despite the poverty like conditions the Fijians were happy, waving hello and chatting with us. In fact, the strangest thing we saw was a Western guy, alone, dressed like a Chicago frat boy chatting on cell phone in the middle of the jungle. He could've been saying "can you hear me now" for all we know.

Suddenly, we came to an impasse. The road ahead of us was washed out. The rain from the mountains was cascading down so heavily that it flowed right over the road. The current was moving very fast and it was very wide. We contemplated crossing for just a moment, but even the taxi driver said No. He says, "even if we are lucky and get across, we may not make it back across tonight". The rain in the mountains was still falling. The last thing we wanted was to be stuck overnight in one of these villages. So, 3o minutes into our trip, we turned around. Adventured foiled.

But, we are all safe. Being swept away in a raging Fijian river is not on the agenda.

Last night Justin and I had dinner at "the best restaurant" on the island. The food was quite good. We had called ahead in the afternoon to place our orders, many restaurants here work that way. When we arrived, we could tell that we were to be the only guests that night. The hosts were a german couple, he served us barefoot and was a man of very few words. It was a quiet night, romantic even. The garden we ate in was lush with flowers and had a beautiful view of the ocean. Once we got over the oddities, it was very relaxing and enjoyable.

Today, we are off to a resort for some pool swimming. Elle needs a day away from the beach so that her bites can clear up, and we need to go into town to visit the ONE ATM on the island. Sure hope it's working.

(Elle told me last night-- "Mom, know where I want to have my birthday party? -- FIJI!")