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More on Fiji-

If there is a more ideal place on earth, let me know.
While I was there, I looked for property to buy, so I could build a house and visit the islands. A sailboat, a sunset, warm water that is mostly over 80 degrees... what more could you want?

Here is my list of things to love-
Fresh clean drinkable water.
Friendly, happy people. They speak English.
No dangerous bugs, rarely a mosquito.
No creatures that will make you squirm, scream, jump out at you, dangle menacingly from a tree, or eat your foot under the waterfall.
Broadband is coming. :)
Temperatures are divine.
Some of the best diving in the world.
Giant clams- just like in the cartoons. You have to see these- some are 2 feet long. Brilliant colors. It is so tempting to find out what might happen if you stick your finger in there...
Fresh fish anytime you like. People stand by the side of the road holding bags of prawns. Give them a few bucks and you are set for dinner.
Papayas, pineapples, guavas, bananas, coconuts all growing wild. The coconuts are a bit of work. Climbing that tree really sucks.

One thing on the list of what not to do in Fiji is in Nandi. The shops there can be rather brutal. The folks in this not so fine city don't seem to have the Fiji spirit. In fact, they are downright scary. Crime is problem in this city and being out after dark is not advisable. It was my last night there, and my brother Tim and my son Riley were looking for a cab to the airport. It was getting rainy and dark and the vultures descended. They knew that a nice white family still had some money on them and they were ready to pounce. There are no less than 10,000 cabs on every street just waiting for a fare, but could we find one on that street (c'mon, it is MAIN street ) at that time. These guys were all over us, wanting to lure us down the street to a special place where they had "cabs". I went directly to fear mode and was not very fun to be around at that moment.  We made it to a cab and swore NEVER to go to Nandi again.  One of the shops pulled my son in, took him in a back room to drink Kava. I had a hard time getting him back out of there. They physically stood in his way, insisting he drink more kava while they tried to get his Mom's credit cards. Grrrrr....

On the high side, the unspoiled island of Taveuni is wonderful, peaceful, and beautiful. The resort on Vanua Levu at Cousteaus is the best thing ever. If you want to relax, go there. No worries. None. And if you work it right you can start with breakfast, eat slow and start lunch and dinner without taking a break. This is the best food I have had anywhere. Just amazing.  They have beds by the pool. Not lounge chairs. Beds. Big ones.  In between meals you can stop there to rest if you aren't ready for the white sand beach.
If you don't want to relax, go to the Outrigger on the coral coast and you will go crazy. I was only there one night, thank god. I would have lost my mind. Never go there.

There is a hotel in Suva called JJs where you get 3 butlers. There are the coolest butlers you will ever have. They will do just about anything you want. Where else can you go and have 3 butlers? This is just crazy. And remember, no tipping in Fiji . Suva can be dangerous at night on the oceanfront, but other than that it is ok to be outside. Even so, we had a large butler in a skirt accompany us the entire way to dinner, movie, and back to JJs.

Here it is, your crash course in Fijian-

"I'll get back to you on that very soon."

Once you jump in, the rest comes naturally.

Just like some of my clients, they always clam up.
Seriously, though, these giant clams are outstanding.

Look at me, I can breathe without a regulator. Hurry up and take
the picture, water is getting in!

Nope, no sharks behind this rock.
Click here to play the movie clip

I think my new job will be fish whisperer.
Click here to play the movie clip

This is the dreaded sea snake. One bite and you are finished.

Now, THAT'S a flower.

Life is like a bridge, even though you don't know where it leads, it can be really fun to cross it. (and jump up and down in the middle)

They said there is a waterfall somewhere around here.

We finally arrived at our hotel.

Everyone should have three butlers attending to all their needs.