Fiji & Hawaii

Bula! Fijians are very nice and accommodating, though ridiculously slow at getting anything done (Fiji time, you have been warned). Having come from Australia wanting to occupy my mind, I went just a little crazy when I arrived and got greeted with "Bula! Welcome, it's Fiji time. Relax and do absolutely nothing!" And it is so true. In Fiji you do nothing but taking your time, spreading out your chores and sit in a hippie circle playing guitar and drink the traditional root drink, kava, at night. After spending many days sick in bed while the rain poured down outside, I was nurtured back to health by my little international clique and we shared some relaxing days eating, napping, doing laundry, sitting, reading, eating some more and sleeping. Which with ongoing, great banter isn't all bad! Doing nothing got more and more alright with this beautiful bunch!

When I felt well enough, I jumped on a boat to gorgeous Mana Island, where I met some fun backpackers, and a lot of beautiful dogs.There is tremendous beauty as well as ugliness wherever you go in this world, unfortunately this time I came across some of the ugly.  It's with a heavy heart I mention that I witnessed a lot of severe animal cruelty inflicted by the local men, and I interfered. I can hardly bare to talk about it, so my stay at this picturesque island was far from perfect. On a brighter note I spent about 40% of my time on the island socializing with some great people and 60% living with a pack of wild dogs on the sandy white beaches. True story. I made my way into the pack and moved up in ranks. After a couple of days I would at all times have a pack of at least six dogs with me wherever I went. Running through the woods, picking ticks off the puppies, and lazing on the beach together. Now that's my therapy. I looked wild and I loved it!

My next stop was Hawaii. I only had four days in Honolulu, Oahu, but I loved it. It was a busy and loud city around the clock, which I really enjoyed after Fiji. It goes without saying that Hawaii has a far more tropical feel to it than mainland USA, but you know you're back in the States when you have to ask if they put real fruit in your fruit smoothie. FYI, the answer is always no. Lack of fresh fruit aside, I enjoyed some wonderful days playing ball and tanning at infamous Waikiki beach, and playing Russian card games while having a laugh at the hostel at night. I finally felt relaxed. My last day I spent driving around on the island, hiking in Waimanalo, and chilling out on some incredible white beaches on the East coast, where I, to top it off, got to swim with some friendly turtles. Hawaii was exactly what I needed. It's good to be back in the States! Aloha.

Lots of Love,

Merete // Mellie