Fiji. The Fijian.

The Fijian (Shangri-La Fijian Resort) is like a second home for me. I realised this when I was back there in May for the eleventh time.

Growing up, my parents moved house with me nineteen times (no, they weren’t on the run, just loved to renovate and re-sell). I never got used to somewhere, but when we went to The Fijian there was always a lovely familiarity about it.

A constant. And it’s still the same now, when I visit.

My welcome bottle of sparkling wine was a welcome accompaniment to a heavenly sunset on my first day back.

Next morning, after breakfast, we went for a swim across the river at the end of the island.

I relaxed… because that’s what you do on holidays.

Look at me in my relaxed position!

Poor Evan lost his lustre after that. He went back to the room with a stomach ache and didn’t resurface for 24 hours. Food poisoning. What is it with Evan and his stomach when he travels?

But it was Earth Day so, just like last time with the kids, we were keen to get involved in the resort’s environmental program by planting some mangroves. Though this time we had a lot more assistance, with the kids from Sigatoka Special School lending a hand.

Moses shows us how it’s done…

then we all pitch in.

I love the school uniforms in Fiji. They are always such gorgeous colours. How great is this green on that grey background!

We had some cake and games after.

Gorgeous, Oni from the Marine Centre ran the day.

The colouring-in competition was hotly contested….

I would have thought the twins would be a shoe-in as winners of the balloon dance, but no. There was lot’s of giggling, though.

We did so much snorkeling, but my favourite at the resort is going out to check on our fish house that we made a couple of years back. This time we opted to help Moses clean the fish houses as well, and let me tell you, fish are pretty dud at housekeeping!

They’re not really, though there is quite a build up of weed that needs to be regularly removed, and it takes time and elbow grease.

Pretty nice job location, though.

On the way out to the coral houses, and coral cake plantations, there is this one cluster that is so alive with beautiful fish. I love to just hang out there and watch them. It’s better than television.

Often, they watch back…

Sundown, from the Sacred Rock.

There were a few fruit bats flying around, and I thought I saw one dip into the glassy water as it made it’s pass, so I watched carefully, and sure enough more did it. I’m not sure if they were drinking or bathing, but I’ve never seen bats do it before.

It was nice to travel with more people this time. When my parents used to take me, they always had their friends with them as well. Sonny’s brother Kenny brought his family along and

Kristy and I enjoyed the bar offerings

while the kids loved the food

and the disco.

(and I can’t resist taking photos of little kids, like Kita)

and Kita just adored dancing with the big girls!

Belle, India, and Coco had a little more trouble convincing Evan, though.

Favourite disco photo #1…

and favourite disco photos #’s 2 and 3…

Because Belle and India had a friend, Coco (yeah, cos it’s not like twins don’t have a built in friend all the time, but try telling them that!), Evan and I did some hanging out together.

We even played golf!

Back in the day, I used to have a hit with my Dad on the course at The Fijian, but I can’t say I’m a golfer, and Evan has never played.