Day 1

It wasn’t hard to spot everyone at the airport this morning! Bright yellow Schoolies T-Shirts everywhere! Despite the early start, people were excited to be going.

After already starting new friendships on the plane, we were happy to arrive in Fiji, where we were met by our Tour Guide Jerry – ready and waiting for us with shell necklaces for everyone and our Fijian sarongs.

We boarded the bus – met our driver Arvin – and heading to our first night’s accommodation. Everyone was quick to jump in the pool after dinner, with a game of some sort of footy with a small soccer ball some of the boys had found and nicknamed Wilson (think Castaway!). There was also live Fijian music during dinner which added to such a good vibe.

A good start to the trip!

Day 2

Bit of a sleep in this morning before we headed off towards Voli Voli Beach Resort. Most of today was spent driving, but plenty of tunes and singing along on the bus! We stopped by the beach for lunch, a traditional Indian curry lunch, where we also got to roll our own Roti – resulting in lots of interesting shapes, as we couldn’t quite get that perfect round Roti! Lunch was amazing, and then we had some time to have a go at whip cracking (no injuries thankfully!) and muck around with the traditional Fijian instruments they had laid out for us. The sky was blue and the sun was shining – such a good weather day! We then headed to Voli Voli – first thing everybody did was head straight down to the beach – for a huge game of touch footy in the ocean. Then it was straight to the pool to lounge around before dinner. The meals were really good here – filling!

We all sat around on the deck outside the dorms after dinner that night – chatting and having fun – whilst being invaded a few times by spiders!

Day 3

After breakfast this morning (so many choices – pancakes, hash browns, bacon, eggs, tomato – you name it!), we headed down to the beach again, as we’d all decided to go on a boat ride out to a small island nearby to snorkel the reef.

The reef was amazing – lots to see – colourful fish, starfish, coral. We had a blast doing that, then once everyone was back at the boat – we spent some time jumping off the roof into the water. Some good photos and video here!

Heading back to Voli Voli – some of us took out the kayaks after lunch, others lounged by the pool or in the pool. Then it was time to get ready for toga party night! We all headed off to figure out how to tie our Fijian sarongs and style them up. Everybody looked amazing! We had dinner like this and then Jerry (who we’ve now deemed as Papa Jerry!) & the Voli Voli staff began a night of games and entertainment. We split into teams and played numerous games, as well as having a bit of a dance party, before heading down to the beach for a bonfire. The guys got it started and we sat around the fire on the beach late into the night – joined by a few crabs at various points! Such a fun night.

Day 4

We said goodbye to Voli Voli this morning and headed to Wailotua Village. We had to use our sarongs today as you can’t go into villages without your knees/legs covered, or your shoulders covered. We were all given flowers to wear around our necks when we arrived, and then headed into the hut where they were welcoming us with song. A number of men, women and elders were seated on the floor, some in traditional Fijian dress (think grass skirts), and we had a traditional welcoming ceremony. Chris (one of the tour hosts) was made to be chief, so had to sit out front, facing the Fijians, whilst we all sat in a line behind him. There was some singing, and speeches, and then we had the Kava ceremony. You had to clap once, say Bula and take the Kava and drink it, then everybody clapped 3 times. After this – we got the chance to do traditional Fijian dancing with them all – a lot of fun!

Once the ceremony had finished – we headed off for Bili Bili Rafting/Bamboo Rafting. They had a number of long rafts made out of bamboo, which 3-5 of us would sit on in a line, whilst the local would stand at the front with a huge bamboo stick to paddle us down the river. It was so relaxing floating down the river on this bamboo raft!

It was then lunch time, and boy did they put on a lunch for us! It was a traditional Fijian lunch – and the long table was full of food, enough for triple servings! It was all made from food they had grown themselves, not bought at a market, and was traditional food – absolutely delicious. We ate the traditional way – with our hands I didn’t think leaves could be so tasty!!

We went back into the hut after lunch for the farewell ceremony, and some more Kava and dancing before saying goodbye to the village and heading into Suva. We did some shopping here, and for dinner, we headed to the Suva Street Boys Home for a traditional Lovo Feast. Again – the food was amazing and plenty to go around. They had live music, and soon after dessert, we were all up dancing – having a massive dance party!

Day 5

We left Suva today for our rainforest trek. Split into two groups initially, we all hopped in the back of a truck and headed to the starting point. Straight away – first steps where through knee deep swamp water! Then it was across a wobbly wooden bridge where we waited for everybody before starting the trek. It wasn’t a hard trek at all, but plenty of creeks, swamps, long grass and more to navigate through! You need good shoes with good grip that you’re happy to get wet and muddy! We were all well and truly wet and muddy by the time we reached the waterfall. It was a welcome relief to jump in the fresh water and relax – and most people climbed up the edge of the rocks and jumped from the top of the waterfall back into the water.

We then spent about another 20-30 minutes walking to another part of the river, where we were picked up by a long boat, and cruised down the river to where the bus was waiting for us. The boat ride was fantastic – cruising down this little river, with forest and overhang all around and then as we got further out, little huts springing up along the banks.

We headed to Uprising – our accommodation – and had lunch before having an afternoon off. We’d decided to do a cut t-shirt style night that night at dinner and had bought cheap t-shirts in Suva, so a lot of people got busy making their shirts. Haha what a sight we were when we all rocked up to dinner sporting our cut up t-shirts! Hilarious! We did a modelling parade for the best designs – and then headed outside for a game of footy – yet another variation of footy though – seemed to combine a number of games. Of course this was played with our trusty ball – Wilson – who had survived the trip so far with us! We then cooled off in the pool with a late night swim before everyone headed off to bed. Our accommodation was in these ‘huts’ – but very amazing and spacious huts – everybody’s favourite accommodation – they were incredible, with outdoor showers – surrounded by bamboo and ferns!

Day 6

We headed to Sigatoka today – and did some shopping in town before heading to the sand dunes for some sandboarding. Papa Jerry got out to open the gate for us and Arvin (our bus driver) closed the door and left him behind! These two were hilarious – always playing pranks on each other and stirring each other up! When we got to the sand dune – Arvin told us all to put our seat belts on because we’d be driving up the sand dune sideways. We all kind of looked at each other thinking, yeah right! But he was so serious, and normally he jokes around. A bit unsure, we all put our seatbelts on and when the last person had done that, Arvin said “Ok, thanks for listening to me”, turned the bus off and opened the door of the bus for us to all get out! Haha – he got us! Thanks Arvin!

What a sand dune! A steep climb but most people grabbed their boards and headed on up. Seeing them come down was hilarious – even more so was how they looked when they got down! Every inch covered in sand – mouthfuls of sand! A couple of the guys were a bit more daring and actually jumped onto their boards (you’d go down on your stomach, holding the front of the board, and digging your feet in to slow down) from the top – the first person to do that stacked it but worked it out the second time.

All sandy and ready for a swim, we headed to Natadola Beach – and it was such a beautiful day for it. The water was clear and blue, and all the locals were out. We swam and a lot of people went for a horse ride along the beach. The locals bring all the horses up and it costs $10 to go for a ride along the beach. Whilst all this was happening – Arvin and Jerry were cooking up a big BBQ lunch for us – sausages, fish, eggs, chicken, salad, pineapple. It was good lounging around on the beach eating lunch together. Whilst waiting for a couple of the girls to come back from getting changed, Arvin hid the bus on them – this is what it’s been like all week – jokes and pranks galore from Arvin!

We then headed back towards Nadi where we started our trip, and stopped in at the orphanage. The kids were quick to come running and greet us, eager to see what little treats we had for them! Those poor carers – these kids had had heaps of visitors that day and were getting lollies galore! We spent a while there playing with the kids – there’s only about 25-30 at this orphanage. They were all so precious. We’d also all bought gifts for the orphanage – toys, stationary, tennis balls, etc., so were able to drop them off as well.

It was then back to our original accommodation for our last night in Fiji. Everyone had grand ideas of an all nighter but that didn’t happen! People were too tired – but we did stay up late – everyone crammed into one room playing card games and putting together a present for Jerry.

Day 7

Up early! Everyone was tired from a big week as we all got on the bus for the final time to head to the airport. Some in their Schoolies shirts, some in sarongs, some in Hawaiian shirts and one in their pyjamas (smart move!). What a sight we were at the airport! Jerry met us there to say goodbye and we gave him our gift, and headed off. Hugs all around at Brisbane airport as everyone said goodbye – and we’ve now all been flooded with Facebook friend requests! Some came back with braids, many came back with tans, nearly everyone came back with a Henna Tattoo! But we definitely all came back having had one of the most amazing weeks ever. The only person we left behind was Wilson! Our soccer ball (miniature one at that!), good ol’ Wilson! He served us well!

Such an incredible time – crazy adventures and amazing experiences – and new friendships. Everyone is keen to go back!

We had some amazing feedback from the trip – everybody had the time of their life. Make sure you don’t miss out next year! 2012 Schoolies – we want you! Come to Fiji! Just check out our photos and comments and you’ll see why it’s so incredible. Hope to see you in Fiji next year!

Bula Vinaka!