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.
Hi! I love your content, and I think you can reach more audiences on steemit :D
as you're writing on travel, please consider to use the tag: travelfeed. If you're browsing that tag, you'll find many good authors and posts about travelling, probably one of the coolest tag on steemit.
Don't forget to commenting on others post too. It's not a rule, but this is how an author could grow. Would be perfect if you verified yourself too with a nice #introduceyourself post.
Keep on writing, I really like your writing and story.
First off, thanks, I really didn't expect my posts to get this much attention, the feeling is undescribable. I'll make sure to use the tag from now on, and I'll make a post in #introduceyourself first chance I get, you're the second person to suggest that already. I'm going to a nearby town tomorrow to get to the internet, and part 7 is coming as well.
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Cool! :D
Btw, the much attention and many upvotes always happen when @curie find your post :D
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How nice is that when a total stranger took all the effort to fins you after losing his phone. More so a stranger who takes you to his home like a friend. You were very blessed to have such experience. And alone, huh!
The place is paradise. Thanks for sharing your adventure and stuuning photos!
I'm too trusty with people, some would even say gullible, but I'm lucky that I went to Fiji of all places, people here are amazing, they are the friendliest people I ever met, and they share everything, not just with tourists, but between themselves as well.
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You're too trusty and trustworthy to be welcomed in a home in a faraway land.
The place is so green and full of life. Now, I miss the place where I was born. I was born and grew up in a place that is almost the same as that. I grew up with abundant fruits that even became my business at a young age. Out of nowhere when we were not able to consume what we had, I thought of bringing fruits to sell in school during break time. Ahh, those were the days.
Until when are you staying there?
I'll be living with Zare and Liku until the start of December. I don't know the exact date yet, but my plane is leaving from Nadi on 6th, which means I'll have to get back there a day or two earlier. I think I'll leave them on 2nd December.
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Good. You have more time to be with nature.
Orchids. For some reasons that came to mind as I miss my birth place. Maybe you can bring home a few. I am not sure thougj with how that will be taken on the plane. Some placed prohibit their product to be taken somewhere else.
I was thinking something similar, I wanted to take some cassava with me, but I cant because I'm not heading straighth home; I'll be going to Bangkok for 14 days and then to Kathmandu for a month, and the only thing I'll take with me are spices, which also isn't bad :)
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Wow, you're jet-setting, huh! Well, the orchids may not last if you get from there so yes, better the spices. Maybe there are orchids in Kathmandu. Or wait, they say Nepal has many marble stones, even the beautifully colored ones. I think that will be a better souvenir too.
Wow! What a trip! I'm super envious. Enjoy!
The photographs are really impressive, I imagine you have a super camera, the image quality is captivating. I really like the place where you are staying, I find it curious that the mango tree looks different from those found in my country (Venezuela), and I agree with you that the fall of mangoes on the tin roof is something that even scares of moments hahaha, I have had to live it because I have a mango tree next to my home. The papayas (I know them as "lechozas") are very pretty, you can eat them green if you make them in a sweet, or wait for them to ripen. It was entertaining to read your publication.
Thanks :) i don't really have any fancy equipment, i try to do the best I can with what I have. From what I understand, they have like 5 species of mango here in Fiji. I have to try a green papaya yet :) I'm glad you enjoyed my blog, be sure to read part 7 when I upload it in a couple of hours ;)
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It's amazing that a man you met years ago opened his heart to receive you in his home and also going through the stress of contacting you when he lost contact with you. He sure is a friend to keep!
The greenery there is so so amazing, it has such a beautiful yet refreshing view plus it looks so serene, away from all the hustle and bustle of the city. Definitely a place to visit and even stay... Now, let the Fiji adventure begin!!!!!😀
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Congratulations @phobo!
Your post was mentioned in the Steemit Hit Parade for newcomers in the following categories:
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I'd like to vote for your witness, but I don't know if it's possible on mobile? I'm using partiko at the moment, when I get to wifi with my laptop I'll make sure to do that. Thanks for your upvote and promotion!
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I do not use Partiko, so I cannot say if you can do witness vote from within the app.
Anyway, thanks a lot for your support!
Voted! Thanks for your support as well :)
Pretty cool that Zare eventually replied :) Better late then never I guess. And it actually wasn't even late, just later :D Living like a native Fijian sounds like something worth trying for sure.
Hahaha Fiji time seems the same as India or Pakistan time :D I guess the whole Asia is actually one big time zone called "random time" haha :D You gotta love that tho :) I certainly did!
Wow, that last picture is breathtaking! You used that 15 minute window perfectly hah :) I also totally liked the mango tree and the view it offered :) Congratz to curie upvote :) Enjoy your time there, living like a Fijian :))
Incredible your story with Zare, I am glad that there are still such good and hospitable people. You made a great journey to get there but I think it was worth it was a great adventure and you managed to make beautiful pictures have an incredible effect and with a lot of quality .. It is a beautiful place and I am glad that you have dared to go, I love the nature and it is a magical place
A big hug @phobo
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Thank you for taking into such interesting trip. I can imagine what you have felt making this decision just to get an invitation and go for adventure. Looks like that finally you and Zare met each other and that is great, it was helpful for you to have someone t here who cold navigate you and advice what to see and where to go. Looking at your pictures, that is something we see from movies about Pirates with lonely island with paradise on it, banana trees, mango and coconuts. You have all healthy food around, nature with its tropical forest for hiking and probably to get refreshed in a fresh warm ocean. Sounds really wonderful, enjoy your stay and wish you a lot of adventure.
howdy from Texas phobo! wow that sounds and looks like such an awesome trip! The scenery is so lush and green, I can't imagine how easy it would be to grow things there! The photos are amazing and it looks like a fantasy island.
This post was 6 days ago, you probably already have other posts out with the new photos?
Yes indeed, check out my profile, there's been 8 updates up until now.
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oh ok, thank you so much for getting back to me phobo, I appreciate it!
No worries, thanks for upvoting :)
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What do you see so beautiful is the perfect natural weather, everything is amazing.
Yes, the nature is amazing here, i love it.
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