The Islands

Apologies for the lengthy absence since my last blog but since the last entry we have had lots of net connections and not a lot of time nor patience to update you all.

We travelled to Mana Island via speed boat which was rather choppy to say the least and then once we arrived we were greeted, taken to our accommodation and then told the most important news of all...the meal times! The accommodation was rather basic but the whole island was basic to say the least. Shack like houses, lots of corregated iron and handy building workmanship which makes Wembley Stadium look good.

In all honesty it was dodgy but he said he had just moved to the beach front and that it was going to be developed further by June '08. The guy, Manua, or Noah to us was a really nice guy but i'm sure you're not that bothered whether he was or not.

We went snorkelling the day we arrived and saw half the cast of Finding Nemo and to all our demise we realised at the end that we neglected the sun cream on our backs so were all promptly crispier than a duck in a Chinese restaurant. After a day of relaxation and twiddling our thumbs in need of something to do we headed with acquired friends around the Island to another beach to chillout and then ensure return for lunch. On the subject of lunch and food in general the variety was...not very varied at all. We were fed carbs beyond contention with every lunch and dinner incorporating rice, potaotoes (sometimes a Fijian potato which was purpley grey and really tasty), bread, and if we were lucky maybe some fish. Our luck turned to irony though as for the final 3days we had fish every meal without fail!

The fish were fish freshly caught by people from the hostel or neighbouring hostels and were cooked for us for dinner. We weren't to be outshone and so went fishing and caught some although Sam will "never be a fisherman."

Towards the end we went Island hopping and popped passed Castaway Island where the epic Tom Hanks blockbuster was filmed and then went onto see some other Islands and capped our morning off by snorkelling on an island where it was just sand. A lone sand bank in the middle of the South Pacific, but with some beautiful fish and deep enough to swim properly and swim down to the bottom with the fish.

Other things that kept us entertained were Charlie being eaten by an eel (but she's ok), sunbathing and burning, exploring the Island which is an absolute must and going to the peaks of the hills, swimming in the sea, local entertainment, and last but not by any means least cards. Cards, cards, and then even more cards. Without these cards we'd have gone insane, much needed!

Sorry if really dragged, out, tired at present. Enjoy my fans. Enjoy.