My first solo backpacking trip - part 6

Hello my friends, I'm back again :)

Like I said in previous update, I had to pack everything up and leave on a short notice on Friday morning, and I'll explain everything, but firs I have to post the last two pics from my previous update.

As we walked through the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, we encountered a path that took us to the top of a hill, where there was an excellent view of the island:

Ok, now on to explaining the sudden change in my accommodation :)

About two years ago I've heard an interview on the radio with a Slovenian man by the name of Zare Veselic that had been living in Fiji for the past 16 years. In the interview he said that if anyone wants to come and visit him, everyone is welcome. I thought to myself 'what do I have to lose?' and sent an e-mail to the reporter that conducted the interview, asking him for Zare's phone number. I didn't really believe I'd get a reply, but lo and behold, the very next day there was an e-mail with Zare's number in my inbox.

I've been in contact with Zare ever since, up until the middle of September this year, when I wrote him about acquiring the tickets, and that I'm bound to Fiji in the beginning of November. Sadly, Zare hadn't replied anymore. I reckoned either something came up and he left the country, or he didn't really want me to come to his place.

OK, I get it, no worries, I'll just go somewhere else. So I booked the hostel where I stayed for the first couple of days. On my fourth day in the hostel, I got an Instagram message from Zare, first thing in the morning. I replied to him that I've been trying to get in touch with him via Viber and Instagram for the past month and a half, and that I'm in Nadi, if he still wants to meet. He told me he had to switch his phones, and he lost his old accounts, but he made a new Instagram and found me. He also told me that if I manage to get to Savusavu, I'll have free food and accommodation. Of course I agreed in an instant. Forget the money I'll save, I'll be able to live like a native Fijian for almost three weeks!

All that happened on Thursday. Zare told me that there's a ferry that goes to Savusavu, but it only sails on Mondays and Fridays, so I had to get ready to wake up early the next day, catch a bus to Suva (capital of Fiji, about 200 KM from Nadi, the ride lasts for about 4 hours), then I should board a ferry and after 12 hours on the ship I'll arrive to Savusavu.

So I got up at 6, took a taxi to Nadi, got on a bus, came to Suva almost exactly 4 hours later, and got another taxi to the port from which my ferry was to take sail. We were supposed to depart at 3:00 PM. Imagine my disappointment when I tried to buy a ticket from the office at 1:00 PM, and the clerk told me that the ferry already departed at 3:00 AM, and there won't be any more until Monday.

I was getting ready to find a ride back to Suva and book a hotel during the weekend, but then I talked to some locals and messaged Zare, and they told me to get back to the office after 2:00 PM to inquire again. When I came back, the clerk told me that the company leaders just finished a meeting, and that they decided to put another ferry on at 6:00 PM.

If anyone is planning to go to Fiji, be prepared for schedule changes like this one, locals just smile and say 'Fiji time', nobody seems to be bothered.

I boarded the ferry at 4:00 PM, and we actually set sail at 7:15 PM (remember, Fiji time). The funny thing about being onboard is that they don't let you in with the shoes on, so that they don't have as much cleaning to do afterwards, I guess.

I had to sleep on the floor, as I bought an economy class ticket (in that moment I was glad for the no-shoe policy), and at about 7:30 AM on Saturday, we landed in Savusavu, where a taxi sent by Zare was already waiting to pick me up.

The ride from the port to where Zare is staying took us about 15 minutes. After we finally met, Zare introduced me to his partner, Liku (she's from Nadi originally), and his dog, Tito.

He told me that they've been living here in Savusavu for the past 18 months, as he and Liku are taking care of a house owned by some Czech businessman (Martin), who's currently traveling the world, and that Zare actually owns a cottage on another island near Savusavu.

The Island is called Taveuni, and they'll take me there sometime during my stay.

Ok, as this is supposed to be a photography blog, lets get to the pictures :)

First of all, this is where I'm staying:

The huge tree in front of the house is a mango tree, and it's absolutely packed with fruit this time of year. It's loud like hell when ripe mangos start to fall on sheet metal roof, usually just after sunset.

This is the view from the front porch:

The aforementioned mango tree is visible to the right, and we have an amazing view of the sea beneath us.

This is Zare, cutting off some ripe bananas we'll be having for breakfast:

The scenery is incredibly green here. There ideal conditions for growth. I can give you an example with kassawa (kind of lokal potato-root); you pull the plant out of the soil, take the roots, and just stick the stalk back in, and it's sure to grow again. Same with pineapples, and I imagine pretty much anything else.

This is a pic I took of our backyard, the fruit in the centre are papayas, and they get practically lost in all the greenery around:

Last pic for today was taken during sunset. There's about 10 - 15 minute window when the Sun is setting, where the colours are absolutely magnificent, I can't wait to take more shots in the upcoming days:

As there's no internet in the house, and the mobile phone reception is really poor, I'll have to walk for about 2 miles to get to the internet, so I might only update the blog every 2 - 3 days from now on. Besides, I'm helping Zare and Liku with house chores, since they (plus Martin, the owner) let me stay for free.

Can't wait to get out and make some more pics, it's time for the real Fiji adventure to begin now :)

See you all in a bit.