Denerau Golf Resort

Whilst spending most of the day racing around Fiji on my scooter I soon found my way to Denerau enroute to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch when before I got to the marina I viewed the golf course. Pulling my scooter off to the side of the road and taking off my helmet I took some time to view the course through a golfers eye. Checking the undulating green, shape and feel of the fairway, hazards, size and speed of the greens. Before it got to me I was on my scooter and off for a massive feed with my usual order (tradition) but kept in mind that straight after lunch I'd pop on over to the club house and check it out.

When I got there I felt awful, being a golfer I would hate the distraction of noise and my scooter was making plenty and as a courteous golfer it felt dishonourable so I raced up the driveway and parked up as quickly as I could.
Approaching the main club house you enter by walking up a wide set of stairs and your faced with an open restaurant which was showing re-runs of the Super 14 (an easy distraction for me) but it wasn't my team so I walked into the pro shop (mostly because they had airconditioning and the heat was hard-on. They had Callaway's to rent but I couldn't go there without my own set and I'd never leave Bethel (my big dog driver) at home when I could play a course like this.

I asked the caddies for a copy of the course book and score card for my records to show Jase when I returned. Below are a few photo's I snapped up on my departure from the club house and it looks plush. A very flat course but after the back 9 at Terrace Downs, a flat course can surely show you a good challenge.

Are we looking at a property slump?

Indications by the average person who keeps an ear out will most likely say so but looking closer to the matter if we are looking at a possible slump it hasn't quite hit us yet so now would be an ideal time to start to study the national realty market. Given that if you cover yourself and do the adequate research and apply the results you can always find a deal even at the hardest of times, however with the impending slump that's only at this point an estimated ticking time bomb it will be a hunters market where it's flee or flight.

Riley's Farewell

Riley had worked at PRF/GE for over 3 years when he'd advised the team he'd be bailing and had been granted parole from his incarceration at GE.

So on teh eve of his parole date I decided to treat him to a little farewell, and 'PUNK' his desk. So seeing as though he finished work at 6pm I set about rearranging his desk taking it all apart and began the slow progress to wrapping EVERYTHING on his desk in crate paper.

I wrapped up, the computer monitor, the key board and the mouse and the cord along with the phone his papers, filing cabinet and shelves. I also went as far as to wrap his desk.

For what took me over two hours to complete he managed to undo in just over 6 minutes.

Bit of a LOONEY Weekend

Easter

Yesturday We put on an Easter Egg hunt for Danika & Maks with five eggs each to locate. Mom had colour coded whose was who's with Pink for Danika and Purple for Maks. They found them all in about 5 minutes or so and got all Choc'd up as afterwards went upstairs to jump on Pookie's bed with lots of screaming and yelling from the window.

Stef with lil' Skipper popped in for a quick chat where kaz and danika leaving an hour or so later to catch the boat to Waiheke about which time maks crashed out on my lap into dream land. Mom dropped us back and I thought I'd beable to put her straight to bed and she'd be out for the night but as soon as we got home she promptly woke up BUGGER and was all go for the rest of the night.

Either way she did enjoy the easter egg hunt. Sorry sweetie but dad has already eaten some of your chocolates =)

The Auckland Harbour Bridge Bungy

Friday, March 22nd 2008 where the day prior I had booked in for the Auckland Bridge Bungy Jump but before we get to that point lets just quickly fill in the morning.

Awoke at 9am sharp to my cell phone ringing as Simon on the other end saying we should go to the driving range to try his new driver, the Orlimar 460cc, so up I got and prepared myself for a long day. I arrived at Te Irangi driving range only to find it closed for Easter so we met at Botany Downs and called JK Golf out at Auckland Airport, they were open so we packed up and drove on out. Probably a bad idea for me to swing a club at this point as my left wrist hadn't fully recovered and caused some issues and later that day got worse but that's a boring story.
About midday after hitting some balls down range I was still pleased that my short to mid range swing hadn't been lost entirely but my driver, while I could still get it down to some good distances I was in fact pulling the ball in a rather severe way that's off course which I will have to correct when I'm back to full fitness.

Midday: Left to collect Makayla from Leighann at her friends house in Dannemora before rushing home to meet Shannon who was coming around to catch up and also to see me jump off a bridge. While we killed time at home with family coming around I managed to get to see the dvd Shannon had put together of her travels. Amazing to see all the sights of europe (one day Mike one day) and all the exciting things to see and do. Just after 2pm we jumped in the car and drove on down to the bridge where I got into my harness and people going 'are you nervous' when for me after jumping off the Sky Town less than a week ago I was surprisly calm and just wanted to get up there and do it. Shannon joined me in the walk up to the pod which is located underneathe the highest point of the bridge. I was the second to go and rather excited up until the point your toes are hanging over the edge and the familiar countdown of 3..2..1.. but this time I knew to tell myself to jump on 3 so I would jump on time. "One!!" ..... "Whoo Hooooooo!!!" I yelled as I lept off the ledge heading towards the water from 47 meter's but fell short of the water ( I had asked to be dunked but guess they miss calculated) before bouncing back up towards the underside of the bridge. I counted the recall bounces, one..two..three.. ok I can pull my release cord now and flip myself back upright and apon doing so was able to get my bearings once again. While upside down I could only tell up or down but had no idea in what direction i was looking round me.
I was hauled back up into the pod with a casual smile on my face...
After the last person jumped we walked back down the bridge where at the end I was greeted my the family who'd come to watch but the only thing i truly saw was makayla happy to see me trying to get to me as she tried pushing her face through the gated fence. Once we opened the door she reached her arms up glad to have me back.
I didn't opt to purchase the video as would much prefer the dvd from the Nevis bungy I hope to do in Queenstown as its 137meters, but I took the photos which are posted here.

The reason for doing the jump? simply to break up the boring routine I've done over the past several years and try to feel the fear and live a little.

The Danish

After a lovely sleep in on Friday morning I rose and after breakfast I decided to take a walk down the road to the backpackers to review some flyers for queenstown and other things. Whilst there I ran into the two Danish lads I'd met in Fiji on Manta-Ray and Beachcomber, so we caught up. Christian was casually hard at work on his computer attempting to earn some money, he's been playintg on-line poker for the past year and a half on the European circuit. He show'd me he was playing 9 tables at once and noted that some people play up to 30 tables at any given stage.

They were in the hunt for a cheap coupe as they will be in NZ for the following month they'd decided to buy a car and drive. I thought this to be a brill idea and only wish I could do the same (maybe I'll start playing online poker).
Leaving as I had to pick maks up from Kindy, we later caught up on Sunday where I found out they'd purchased a 1993 Honda Prelude for $2.5k - they take possesion today (Monday) and will be heading north to start their journey (keep left boys)

I caught up with them back at the hostle and Christian wanted to do the Sky Jump off the Auckland sky tower. I said if he does it then I'll do it also (during my travels in Fiji I mentioned it several times as a must do so figured that I better experience it first hand) so we trudged up the road and watched someone jump and for someone like me who is completely freaked of heights the nerves started to kick in.
We walked up to the booth and booked ourselves in and so many times I wanted back out but just kept my mind positive reassuring myself, trust the equipment.
Once we got up there the true fear factor started to kick in, I was the second to go and told the guys that if I don't go now I'll never go.
What happens is that after they recheck your harness you step up onto the cat walk (you must understand that as I'm typing this my heart beat has quickened) where they clip you into a safety line and walk you out to where they clip you to the cable.

There's a moment while they are doing this that you have a good chance to look down and around and my nerves are now reaching maximum levels and my hands begin to tremble. Before you jump you have your photo taken just moments before you leap to an uncertain doom where your leaning out over the edge as they count down 3,2,1 (at this point your supposed to let go) but for some reason I just couldn't bring myself to let go and believe me I tried but my survival instincts had kicked in. Your leaning out over the edge griping to poles on your left and right, your brains sends a message to your hands but it takes forever for the message to get there. Then the brain receives a message from the hands which roughly translate F#*% NO !!!!

The countdown commences for a second time... 3,2,1... then I let go and fell 5 meter's as your heart is beating as fast as physically capable and nearvs now beyond any previous recorded level. As you dangle around 187 meters above the ground you look up as you have your photo taken before being released and you rocket to the ground screaming as the bulls eye target once small becomes ever larger. The speed you fall at is increadiable and a complete rush as the wind rushes against your face where the fall only decelerates at the very last metre as you softly touchdown.
I was suffering complete shock, dismay and lost all my senses as it took me time to realise just what had happend. I was told to look at the camera for my dvd but with wobbly legs I only managed a somewhat casual effort to wave as I was shaken up like a Martini ready for James Bond. As I approaced the bench to sit down my hands were shaking from the surge of adrenalin and nerves and was wobbly for about 5 minutes. Once we were all down they asked "So who would like to do a second jump for free?"
DARN IT, ok why not figuring it would be easier a second time round, well it is and it isn't. The ride down the second time was nice, but letting go is still an issue that will only come the more times you do it. I had a mental thought run through my mind that when they start counting I'll send a brain wave immediately from my brain telling my hand to let go so once it gets there it will be on the count of 1. But still it was hard to let go but not nearly as bad or as embarrasing as my first jump. I landed the second with relative ease and felt comfortable and just fine, the only difficult thing looking back is just the point of letting go, sounds easy but wow, did I have some issues up there.

Later that evening I picked the lads up from their hostle and we went for a bbq at my mate's house so they could not only a decent meal but learn how the kiwi's do it.
They seemed to not only enjoy the meal but learn't how to test if a steak is done, we tought them several things including "SWEETAZ".
The night went on with a few laughs, exchange of stories and beer, good beer (speights) along with a fine meal and a few round of cards.

The evening went by fast and soon we were headed back home.
At this point the boys have most likely picked their car up and adjusting to driving on the left as they head north, all with the knowledge of how to prepare and cook a good steak.

Looking Forward

During my short lived time vacationing in the Fiji Islands I met so many people whove travelled around NZ to place's that I've never been such as the Franz Joseph and Fox Glaceirs so I'm looking further into taking time off later in the year to travel the south island and include the Nevis Bungy jump at 134m's, could be fun =)

I was recommended to look into the magic bus so have been reading it over for the past 2 days so it's definately something I'm going to do.

Crab Racing

ENGLAND PREVAILS - go Rooney

My Lastnight and the following morning

Start of a new day

This morning there was no sound of drums beating for a third consecutive day and while my time in the tropics was short lived it was something that I easily became accustomed to hearing. There was no problems getting up in the morning and after many heavy nights drinking there was an absence of any such hangover only the objective of pancakes and pineapple syrup.

The ache of raising myself from my bed was only all too unnaturally natural as I struggled with the knowledge that 9 hours slumbering infront of a computer talking sales and finance lay before me. And already the time spent vacationing in fiji seemed somewhat of a dream, a dream that now seems far and distant as I trudged across the road to work. I realised that the ability to recall all 15 passwords to fire up my systems was surreal that it was as if I'd never gone at all as the computer sreen glared back towards me as if to mock. I looked to the left where I keep a photo of my daughter knowing that it was two years out of date and that it should be replaced with a more recent photo but it's there to kept my motivation as I struggle to cope with the long drawn out days that seem to get longer by the minute.

Sure people were interested in what I had seen and done in Fiji so I went home at lunch to retrieve my camera to storyline my travels. But all they seemed to care was the cute girls I met along the way, photo's I shall post shortly after this blog.

The days at GE I have determined will now be limited as I go in search of far greater acheivements in my professional career. The place has been sucking the life out of me for sometime now and actually brought me to the point of taking a holiday but coming back with fond memories but as though I'd never left.

So I leave you now to post photo's and then search for alternative possibilities.

End of an Era

My final night went as planned, to have an absolute blow out however before we get to that lets run down how I spent my last day....
After another night of drinking and dancing again was woken by the morning sunlight streaming across my bed as I slumbered peacefully. Shortly to follow were the beating drums denoting it was time for breakfast a routine I was slowly starting to become accustomed too. rising from the bunk bed and reaching for my sulu, glasses and t-shirt putting the on straining aching mussel's over sun-burnt shoulders and shuffling out the door down the sandy path to the main eating area.
As we lined up and qued for our first meal of the day the thought ran thru my mind as to how to spend my last day on the island. I came to the conclusion that I would make no plan and thought what happens happens. A casual dip in the ocean followed by a restful nap on the beach before lunch ended up as the winning solution.
Later that afternoon we went out for a boat ride to feed the fish and learnt how to catch fish in the open ocean by hand. The boat itself had a glass bottom allowing us to remain dry all the time viewing the colourful coral reef and small to large fish swimming beneath. On our ride in I could sense a low pressure lull in the atmosphere so my attention then turned to the thickening thunderstorm on the mainland and calculated that it would be apon us in 30 minutes, I miscalcuated 10 minutes to early as it started faintly then getting heavier and thicker until the eventual downpour.
At which time I decided to take a swim, the water was still just as warm and I and several others swam around in the rain for about 40 minutes enjoying the feel and sound as the rain fell. We only got out as happy hour approached.
A quick run up to shower and change then back to the bar to start the night off with merriment. On my return to the bar I noticed Jessica and Veronica (from Switzerland-Geneva)sitting there calling me over. I'd met them initially on the boat ride out to Manta Ray, where they continued on to another island joining me on Manta Ray the following night, and then catching up on Beachcomber two days later.
It was both our last night out on the islands so after dinner we got a jug of beer and set about to enjoy what was left of our time in the Fiji islands.
Tonight's entertainment was crab racing, they auctioned off 20 countries, I one two, the first was Rooney for England at $23 and teh second was The All Blacks for NZ at $45. Then the action began, the bucket was raised and away they went as we waited to see who would win. The pressure was that I spent all my cash to purchase them so like poker it was an All-In option so if I lost, I was out of pocket.
During the bidding for NZ I was playing against some other kiwi's and Jessica and I were pushing the price up on them but they were too slow ti catch the next bet so unplanned I ended up winning the bid.
The result was Mick from Brisbane came third at $60, I came in second at $100 and Merlin from Brisbane came first at $160.
So i came out with a $32 profit, so it was off to the bar to enjoy the winnings.
The night continued on well into the night as we danced and drank the night well into the next day. The music stopped at about 2 or 3am but that didn't stop us for all we did for those remaining at the party was grab the guitars and continue the party.

Crashed at about sometime after 4am

Then the usual awakening by sunlight in the morning...

The saga closes...

Beachcomber Island

Commonly known as the party island located about 45 mins from Denerau Marina and usually the second or third stop on the boat trip out.
The Island is small, so small that given that your walking on sand and rocks with dead coral peices it can take about 12 minutes to circumnavigate the island.
From the Water you walk straight up the sand into the bar to order a nice cool refreshing drink, as the locals will say, save Fiji Water, Drink our beer.
Accommodation can either be a bed in the large dormitory or your own private rooms.
The main bar is just simply sand however there is a nice upper level with lovely wooden floors and a balconey to view those swimming in the ocean.
Entertainment is provided via activites through the day and at night a show by the staff before the live band kick in and we drink and dance the night away.
Seeing as though its a small island you have views to Treasure Island, Bounty and South seas', Treasure Island is just a stone throw away.
Because again due to its small size the breeze comes and goes more frequently so your able to keep much cooler in this place...provided your not in the hot fijian sun. I classify this resort as being what you want to make of it, you want to relax your can, if you want to have some excitement such as scuba diving or parasaililng you can or simply just sit on the beach and do absolutely nothing.
Its only up to your own will as to how you want to play things.

Manta Ray Island Resort

On the Yasawa Flyer that departs from the Denerau Marina you'll arrive at your destination in just over 3 hours. It's the 11th Island on the route out along the yasawa ground of islands. Its a catermaran that cruises along at 22knots stopping off at south sea island, bounty island, beachcomber then the long stretch to vomo then another long stretch out to the group of island Manta Ray is situated.

On arrival your met by a small raft to board along with your luggage and as the yasawa flyer continues on its way you motor to shore where staff are waiting with singing and BULA !!!. Most of the buildings cannot been seen directly from the beach or water as they are apart of the tropical jungle including the dorm room most island hopper's will reside, however they do ofter other options such as private rooms if you wish. There is only one place on the island with airconditioning and that is the main office and based on the location of the resort being on the inner side of the bay, anywind is blocked by surrounding islands so it can get quite humid.

Drums sound out for breakfast lunch and dinner so you'll never need a watch or time piece. The island has several activites such as snorkling at $20 for the entire length of your stay, whether it be one day or one month.
Snorkling is probably the best at MantaRay if you don't care to do any scuba diving.
As soon as you enter the water fish are all around, and you can follow most out the the living coral reef that's about 5 meters out from the shore line, closer a low tide. The Fish are varied in numbers and size and a great wide variety can be found.
Recommend for all those wishing for a coral reef experience if they don't wish to scuba or take a boat ride out to the viewing sites. You can take the snorkle gear all day so you can swim as much and as often as you choose with out any time frames to bear in mind.

For the relaxation aspect there are several hammocks you can lie in as pass the day by with a nap or reading a decent book the option is yours to have an event filled day or simply pass it by quietly. Eitherway its a win-win situation and whilst lying on the beach at home is counter production its considered a busy day under 'Fiji Time' all in all - totally enjoyable

Fiji Vacation - First morning at Manta Ray

I realised that after my last blog I'd skipped a day so....

It was a refreshing sound to be woken in the morning to the sound of drums so all know its breakfast time and at that point as I slowly slipped under and out from my mosquitoe netting I realised that this is truly island living and was actually Now on holiday, no need for watches here, you simply listen out to the sound of drums and pray that you don't sleep through it while laying back on the beach or rocking in a hammock.

Following breakfast i decided to go for a snorkle around the coral reef again as I did the afternoon on arriving at the resort. And saw a sea-snake slumbering on the ocean floor. This is only about 5-7 meter from the actual shore line. It was about as long as I'm tall, big one, and as I swam closer following its body I came to the head resting on its on on top of a coral or rock.

Fiji Time is so intensly relaxing where folling the swim I then boarded a boat to go visit a small fijian village a few islands up from where we were staying.
On arriving we met Va' our guide and we saw their living conditions, the school where the kids sang us a song, and then we visited the kindergarten. Nothing quite like what my daughter goes too. This is one small room, no airconditioning or ceiling fan. As we approaced the door we heard the pounding of little feet as we were greeted at the door with small voices yelling BULA !!!
I saw one little girl in the group probably around the same age as my wee girl and just missed her so much while they were singing us songs in fijian and also head, shoulders knee's and toes (are you singing it?)
Then we went to the church where I donated a good amount after seeing their living conditions and only hope it can help.
Following that we visited the ladies whom were sitting out in wait for us with jewllery and other items to purchase, so I got a necklace and a gift for my Daughter.
The boat ride too and from the village was great as the nice breeze just helped keep us cool until we arrived back at Manta Ray.
Bang Bang Bang rolled the noise of the drums, "Lunch Time" so up the hill we go to the Main Bure'.
The afternoon was spent lying in a hammock doing nothing at all and would occaisionally break it up with a cool refreshing dip in the ocean then back to the hard life of laying in a hammock.
Bang Bang Bang, "Happy Hour" and time for more Kava... Happy Hour rolled out into dinner and that rolled on to further drinking and then further drinking games for fun before at midnight we headed down to the beach for another bon-fire.
That ended the day.

The following morning after struggling with my mostquito netting I managed to release myself to trudgeg up the hill for breakfast. I was leaving for Beachcomber that afternoon so I wanted to make the most of it while I could, so spent 45 mins floating in and around the coral reef and playing the guitar on the beach (in the shade). after Lunch I packed up my bag and then lay out on the hammock until it was time to leave and a farewell song was played prior to us boarding the transfer boat.
It was around a 2 hour boat ride from Manta Ray to Beachcomber and I sat up the top with some friends where we just baked in the sun under a nice breeze as the boat motored us along on our way while we took a nap.
Arriving at beach comber the staff were there singing and clapping guitars out as we were welcomed and checked into our dorm beds. The rest of the afternoon was spent at or near the bar. Beachcomber is a tiny little island where you can walk around it in about 12 mins, if there was a side walk it would be closer to 7 minutes.
Due to Fiji time we loose total track of time, I haven't worn a watch since my 2nd day out here and found out that we got to bed around 2am and I thought it was just before midnight.

The first night at beachcomber I found much cooler as there was a nice soft breeze that kept me somewhat cool bearing in mind my sunburn keeps me more than warm at night. The following day I hired a beach umbrella and simply just lay on the beach trying to tan myself to make my sister happy (strict instructions).
I'm still far to white that I guess I just reflect it and then go red even though I pile on the suntan lotion constantly.
I was having a nice nap laying on the beach and the only thing apart from lunch that disturbed me was during my afternoon siesta dreaming away I'd failed to notice the incoming tide and I tell ya that was a big shock when a wave suddenly splashed over top. So I moved further up the beach towards the bar and went back to sleep. 15 mins later Whoosh, splash, I got knocked out again. So I grabbed everything, as did everyone else at that stage and we moved right up to the bar knowing fare and well it wouldn't reach us here, and it didn't.

The most enjoyable part about this is that 'Fiji Time' is just so relaxing, I order a beer at 10am in the morning and sit in the ocean sipping away with no care's no worry about, well at least for another 30hours when I arrive back in NZ. But I can't wait cos while I'd very much like to stay a lot longer I do so miss my daughter and can't wait to see her again.

Hugs and kisses Maks, Daddy's coming home

Fiji Vacation - lost days as now on 'Fiji Time'

Lastnight sometime after 2am I returned to slumber in my bunk but before that happend I had to struggle with my mosquito netting. Tired and exhausted after a long day I lost my balance and ended up wrapped up in the netting and wriggled around like a fish caught in a net. But once settled I was out like a light.

I finally summond the power to drag my corpse from its slumber and make my way up the hill to get some breakfast after which it was down to the beach for some more snorkling before laying back and relaxing in the hammock for an hour or so before going for some more snorkling (life in the Islands is difficult). Whilst just swimming off the reef we are straight smack dab living right over a live coral reef with small to big fish swimming around as you swim after them and see schools of little fish duck down a metre and change colour. you loose total track of time swimming out in the ocean probaly about 2-300 metres from shore only popping your head above water to catch your bearing and make sure you stay out of the stronger currents.

Lunch and was famished, filled my plate and polished it off completely. then straight back down to the beach to lie in the hammock (such is the life).

It's all starting to get a bit blurry and think i've skipped a day but oh well, i'll tell ya more later...

Arrived at beach comber after a nice 2 hour boat ride from Manta Ray, and found it immediately so much cooler here. So nice to have a breeze and not have to sweat every 2 seconds, but I have to sign off now to organise a problem with my itinery and get some laundry done.

Fiji Vacation day 3

It was early to rise on day three of the trip as I checked out and boarded the bus to the Denerau Marina to catch my boat to the islands. They changed my booking based on the availability they had so I would spend two nights on Manta Ray Island and then transport to Beachcomber.

The boat slowly left dock and gradually picked up speed as we entered more open waters stopping off at islands on the way, including 'Beachcomber island' where I would spend the last three days of my vacation so I took a quick snap shot. The boat ride was exquisite as we saw island after island and the water just looked so inviting you wanted to jump over board at each stop. We left Denerau at about 0830hrs and arrived just after 1100hrs to Manta Ray, and transfered from the big cateraman to a small transfer vessel across to the island. As we approached the beach we were met by staff singing joyfully with big smiles. The check in was simple, grab our bags, find your bure' and then your bunk, sign in at reception then up to the main bure' for refreshments and to hear about all the activites on hand. Then came lunch and that went down a treat as I was so hungry.
Following that, I headed down to the beach and lay out in a hammock for a time before grabbing one on the staff's guitars so I could have a play. Then it was time for a snorkle, I didn't go out for too long due to my increasingly painful sunburn from the scooter ride the prior day.
Then I must've just swan a little bit more had a nap under the sun in a beach chair then as the afternoon finally dragged out I had a shower and went up for happy hour !!! and chatted with a few Canadians and Poms hearing about all their travels, some just starting out, some near the end and on average the people are travelling for about 7 months. One couple I met are two years into theirs !!! and I'm just up for a week.

I just have to say something. The heat and humidity is just diabolical !!!

The evening came on so i raced down to my bunk to apply the insect repellant and then popped back up for another beer. After dinner I learnt the Bula Dance which was something of a fun blast and then met two charming german girls from Starnberg, the city an x-girlfriend grew up in so we ended up having a good conversation about germany and starnberg. Later on after a few rounds of cards, we headed down to the beach where they had a bon-fire so i played a few tunes on the spare guitar and then after a few songs we watched a fire dance.

Somewhat shattered, I returned to my bunk where for what seemed an eternity was sweating profusly as if I'd just run 5k's and the sunburn on my shoulders kept me awake. I'd just like to stress, NO AIR CONDITIONING.

A New Arrival

One note I'd like to catch up on is that my cousin Stefanie & her husband Carl had tehir first born child in Feb 08' and named him William, however I just can't stop calling him 'SKIPPER'.

Congrats Guys

Fiji Vacation Day 2

Bula

If I'd woke up for work I'd have been late so I must be running on Fiji time already being that they are an hour behind NZ.
After I slipped myself out of bed I went to the restaurant to order some breakfast and as I enjoyed my breakfast I was able to sit back and relax whilst watching the bbc news. After breakfast I took a 30 minute walk into Nadi and bought some essential items (bottles of water)and then hailed a taxi to take me back to the hotel.
After which I thought i should like to get around town a little more so I hired a scooter for the day and shot thru Nani and on the main route to Denerau only to find out that I was in actual fact on my way to Suva but I didn't care in the slightest I was having way too much fun, screams of joy could be heard as i raced down the road avoiding all the pot holes in the road, the further I got away from Nadi the roads opened up and became really smooth and I was enjoying myself way too much until I realised that I was basically well and truly on my way to Suva by this stage, one marker I passed said 165kms to Suva but I just kept riding as it was way too much fun. As the road drew on it became almost like driving at home so at that point I turned back and came back to the hotel. On arriving I found the true directions to Denerau Island and the reason I had to go was for one reason. On the bus ride from the airport to the hotel after arriving I saw a sign for a Hard Rock Cafe. That was IT, I have a travel tradition, that if there is a Hard Rock Cafe, I GO, no questions asked. But I thought I'd take in the sights of the golf course aswell while there (as a golfer I couldn't but Not) and it is a very scenic course, quite flat so I imagine the layout is none too easy. I optained a course book and score card for future reference as I'd like to play there some day.
Denerau Marina has a mix of NOT being TYPICAL Fiji, it's like crossing some sections of Sylvia Park with Gulf Harbour. After a quick look around the club house i was back on the bike trying to make it back before the rain came tumbling down. I decided to relax for a while at the poolside before taking a ride out to find the pizza place I'd heard my uncle stephen mention but to no avail - i just could not find it. mind you it was difficult as your constantly looking out for the pot holes in the road all-the-time. Then the rain came pouring down....
I ended up getting absolutely saturated, but I was wise to bring my wet weather top, so at least some of me stayed dry. There's a lot of rain still falling from the heavens and the occaisional thunder and lightening but soon i'll be safe under my bottle of Fiji Gold Beer.