Trekking Kiwi Style

So after a fabulous 13 hour flight from LA, we finally arrived in Nadi, Fiji. First things first, customs, where I was rudely forced to give up my beef jerky (tear*) ... something about it being forbidden in Fiji or something.

Jerky confiscation

Once vegified, we found our driver and rode out to our hostel. Once we dropped our things we immediately set out to explore the beach around our hostel. We found a great peir with tons of little crabs and jumping fish, and were informed by a local that if we return tomorrow we can see the large crab he is going to catch this evening.

After bumming a ride into Nadi town (pronounced NaNdi, apparently there is an N pronounced before every D in Fijian) we spent most of the afternoon walking around Nadi, parousing shops, and mostly acclamating to Fiji. Nadi is a pretty dirty city, sort of like China Town in NYC, everyone has something to sell. After wandering around town, and escaping with only a towel and food purchases, we began the trek home to our hostel as the buses were obviously not running because it was a national holiday (Youth day apparently). On our walk we met some Fijian kids, rope swinging into the beautiful brown, eel infested Nadi river.

Proud display of the afternoon catch

These seemingly harmless children, were showing us how they were killing the eels by squeezing them, and also beating them against the rocks. Supposedly they were taking the eels home for dinner... we were a bit skeptical, but this is Fiji right?

Kids playing in the mud river at Nadi

After playing with the kids, we began the long and hot trek back to our hostel (of course we were too cheap to get a taxi, and really what else were we going to do). Let me tell you, walking in Fiji is a boost to self esteem as everyone, men, women, children are so friendly and call out 'Bula!', fijian for hello.

Bree and I trekking home from Nadi town

So far, Fiji is fabulous, hot and humid, and we are planning on getting very burnt during the next few days! more later, until then...

Reading at sunset... I DO read.