Bula from 'Rat-tastic' Fiji!!

Okay, there was only one rat, but it ran over Ann-Marie's feet on our first night on Waya island. Not an auspicious beginning. Actually, the inauspicious beginning actually started when, instead of the boat from Bayside picking us up from the ferry, it was two glassy eyed pirates in a rotting fiberglass skiff from some other 'resort'. Then, after they extorted $10 from us to take us to Bayside, the owners finally and reluctantly wandered down to the beach to greet us, after much shouting from the boat.
Things turned better after that though. Tim and Ani turned out to be great hosts, not so demonstrative in their pleasure in having us, but they accomodated us well. And Ani loved Tobin. Actually EVERY Fijian loved Tobin. He learned how to say 'Bula' and finished every statement with 'thank you', this would send any Fijian woman into twitters and pinches throwing their incredible afro's back to laugh. It was pretty fun. Fijians are the friendliest people I think I've ever met, easygoing, approachable and fun loving. It really made the trip.
We eventually made it up to Octopus resort to see Chris and Kirsten and things got even more fun. Fun to hang out with those guys in a paradise with the kids playing. Chris and I got to go snorkeling and diving which was great. While everyone else was snorkeling 50' from shore, Chris and I would swim out to the middle of the bay where we could find the deepest water (not really that deep) and see if we could get to the bottom. The fish were insane and the coral was mind blowing as well.
Anyway, just a portion of the trip. Pics follow. We just arrived in NZ so will have some reports to file soon. Tomorrow I start my training as a jockey for the horse racing season.

Chris and Coen

Coen looking...sunburned.

(the only thing worse than uploading photos to blogger is uploading to blogger from a computer with Vista on it)

"starfish!"

These guys didn't need sunscreen as our pale skin was reflecting pretty much all the UV.

More child flinging. It just never gets old.

Stranger lurking on a chaise lounge

Tobin wanted to stop at these bananas every time we walked by them.

In Fiji, Elvis is still the king.

the Gill/Cokes

There was a fellow out fishing off this point in a canoe made of what looked like corrugated metal roofing. He had about 2 inches of freeboard even before he had any fish in it. I guess the worst case scenario is your boat sinks and you just snorkel your way back to shore.

Crazy rock all over the place!