Fiji

Definitely on Fiji Time

/ brisbanefrannie / 2 Comments

Our Swim Week is over but we allowed an extra day for downtime.

It was a slow start after parting last night. Though we were all in the pool by 8.15. A special session for all the swimmers.

Lots of giggles. the energy in this group is infectious. We bounced and sang along and waved arms in the air.

Even the pool attendants got into it.

Quick showers then it was off to the champagne breakfast. Though I couldn’t face champagne. Definitely too much last night.

Groups were saying farewelling, hugging and swapping contact details. It’s wonderful how after 5 days of a shared holiday mostly in swimmers leads to friendships that last! A common goal like swimming unites.

We spent the rest of the day lounging, reading, walking and not eating. Definitely too many meals this week.

I walked and called in to see the kids club. No wonder so many parents love coming to Fiji. The locals are so beautiful to the little ones. You often see a restaurant attendant walking around holding a baby so the parents can eat in peace.

The kids club also offer hair braiding, colouring, and face painting. All the little ones have braided hair with beads dangling!

The day went quickly and by 6pm e headed to the Waitui Club for a farewell dinner and to celebrate Chris’ birthday.

It was a beautiful evening and our table for 7 was perfectly placed on the veranda.

I told our lovely waitress Kata it was Chris’ birthday -so at dessert time she and about 8 staff all gathered singing a special three verse version of happy birthday ending with cheers and blessings.

She then took a photo and put herself in it!

Our evening finished with farewell hugs for our NZ friends David, Kim and Avy.

It’s been a wonderful week and as if they knew it was out last night , when we got back to our room, fireworks started on the beach in front.

Farewell Fiji , you’ve been great

Malamala Island a slice of paradise.

/ brisbanefrannie / 4 Comments

Our last swim day.

Blue skies, happy people , connections being made and no bananas left for breakfast.

Onto the boat by 9 and by the time we arrived 30 mins later it was windy and overcast.

Walked down the pier with Mesu who looked after me all day. Called me Miss Fran!

Islands always have a windy side. And thankfully a calm side. The swim had to be changed. Not around the island this time. A course with markers on the calm side. 1 lap for the 1km swim and 3 laps for the 3km.

Lots of place to sit

But we chose…….

By the side of the infinity pool.
Cocktail in hand.

The first race was quickly under way. A woman won it – just beating the 11year old son of Ky Hurst. It was so lovely to see them hug after the race.

Then the racers came in thick and fast.

They got the 3km race off quickly as the wind was getting stronger.

In they go. Not too rocky today.

We went to our great place got in the pool and watched them swimming by 6 times – a loop done 3 times.

See the swimmers behind us!

Ky Hurst won in 32 mins. He was cruising. A lovely man named Dean Duckworth has been runner up to Ky in all three races.

Steve made it back.

David & Kim our NZ friends did well. Especially Kim. And new friend Avy was just amazing!

Avy came in 12th. Beating some much younger people.

My favourite group are the pink ladies. For lovely friends from Northbridge Sydney.

Fun ladies in matching pink.

Medals were given to all and the prize giving will be tonight.

Then it was lunch time. Aset under the trees the choices had everyone piling their plates high. Lots of choices, places to sit and a great bar. Steve had two beers and fell asleep!

People sat, drank – mostly cocktails, recovered, snorkelled, walked around the little island, chatted until 3o’clock when we were herded back on the boat.

But not before the famous jetty jump. The game party people set off. This included Jill. They took the long walk out along the windy jetty. It was about a 3 metre jump. Jill just couldn’t do it. And I don’t blame her. The pink costume ladies did it and claimed they had the best sinus wash!!!

The pink costume ladies ready to jump!

Back on the boat everyone was just a little quiet. A bit weary I guess.

A short break back at the hotel before the Celebration dinner.

Everyone was told to dress to impress. Most dressed right up.

And the dancers certainly dressed up.

The awards were given. On our table of friends we had a first place winner in the over 70’s. Avy was also about 10 overall!

Kim was 3rd in the over 60’s. We cheered our talented friends along with all the other winners

Avy on the left Kim on the right.

Then the dancing started.

Oh what a night.

Deanne, me, Jill and Avy.

Off to bed because we have aqua aerobics at 8.15!

It’s been a great swim week. We’re staying on another night. A lot are leaving for home tomorrow and some are going to another island for a few days.

If you like swimming then Swim Week Fiji is a great week. Very different to wonderful swim treks we have done. they have 15 swimmers. These have 200 and as they say 5 days , 3 swims and 0 worries.

I’m on Fiji Time

/ brisbanefrannie / 2 Comments

Bula. This friendly greeting is said by everyone you pass in this land of smiles.

It’s a traditional greeting. A hello. Or Hi. It’s easy to say and so lovely. The breakfast staff are full of greetings and smiles. How can you not start the day well when you are so well looked after. Nothing is too much trouble.

Today’s swim is here at the Sofitel. Right out the front. So a light breakfast. Did I mention how yum the local peanut butter is!!!! I had a little on toast before we headed to the beach front. The flags were up. The swimmers were all greeting each other like lifetime friends – which they probably will be by the end of this week.

The end of swim flags with our grass skirt class warriors.

Scott Rice , the organiser gives a clear briefing for the first swim. The 1 km. Conditions are much better, so optimism is high amongst the swimmers.

People are all rubbing cream onto each other. The anti lice cream is getting a big following. Quite a few got eaten by the lice yesterday and we know there are lice here. So much rubbing is going on. Armpits, under swimmers- no one is shy here!

The first race is off- a deep water start.

Jill and I waited, then leisurely entered the water for our private race for two. Water temperature is beautiful.

We swam around the area next to the course until we saw the first swimmers returning. The pool swimmers were favoured today in the flat conditions. But Ky Hurst’s young son once again came second.

I spoke to him after and he is such s a lovely kid.

As they finished people had jubilation written all over their faces.

Then the 3km briefing.

The briefing with Kim & Steve centre photo.

Into the water and away to the sound of the conch shell.

The young Fijians filled in time teaching a little one how to blow the conch shell.

And practised doing the Floss dance. To the cheers of the crowd.

The US guy was able to pull his passenger along.

Tobin about to set off.

He set of last but unfortunately as he overtook people ( he’s such a strong swimmer) the kayak hit a few swimmers. They weren’t happy so she had to be towed back by a jet ski.

Once again Ky Hurst cruised home for a win.

Our friends from NZ, Avy and Kim came in not far behind the leaders in under an hour.

Avy
Kim

David and Steve swam well and came in just over the hour I was in a good spot for cheering on the swimmers. They are all shapes and sizes. And the variety of swimwear is amazing.

Steve running towards the finish.

We had lunch by the water outside the Waitui Club. It’s an adults only section of the hotel.

Jill, Avy and I walked after lunch. Just down to the Marina about 2 km away. Bought a few tshirts for the kids and a jar of the local peanut butter.

Back to the infinity pool a sit on the deck chairs, a book and a cocktail completed the afternoon.

The evening drink session and days wrap was again a success. The 5 minute highlights movie is terrific. Lots of claps and cheering as some very happy people ran, jogged, danced and in one case fell over the finish line.

We sat with some new friends and had a pizza before heading to our room.