A standard Williams Saturday with a Fijian twist

 

Think we managed to get versions of most of our Saturday rituals in today, running, shopping, watching a bit of sport and having a nice meal and a couple of drinks.

Awoken to a crescendo of banging on our door, Bryn up ??? and looking seriously worried.  He'd lost his earpods and had a day out with his new Aussie mates planned. Its amazing how organised he can be when he wants. (Earpods turned up in his room as it happened, thanks for the wake up call)

All good though, we grabbed a bit of breakfast, and then on a full stomach (not my usual preparation) went out for a Coral Coast run in what already felt like oppressive temperatures.  Tried to do a 5K out and back (thinking 5K would tick of the parkrun criteria and I could see what else I had in the tank) but turned back before 5K having seen a dog ahead that I couldn't judge its behaviour.  It must be said there are several dogs in the Beachhouse and more placid a bunch you could not hope to find, but I was out in the wilds on my own and feeling risk averse.

So I turned round and immediately began to feel the effects of the heat and probably lack of looking after myself for the last couple of weeks.  Took a water break or 2 (I was prepared) and on a busy road avoided becoming road kill with several swift sidesteps.  Lots of Bulas from friendly villagers on route, which must have put me off as I managed to run right past our lodgings and then had to ask a couple of rather suspect looking locals if I had gone too far.  Yes, as it turned out, but at least it meant I got 10K under my belt.

Straight into the sea kayak to cool down and quick change before heading out in search of sport. I'd overheard a chap talking about a local rugby tournament, albeit kids, so Chrissi and I decided to catch the bus out that way.  As it happened we didn't need a bus as a taxi pulled in and offered us door to door service at bus rates. You just go with the flow right.

The tournament in a local school was brilliant. Grass roots rugby and a chance to just immerse ourselves with the locals in a completely uncontrived way. I think the youngsters were as interested in us and surrounded us with loads of questions, and rugby, the international language of sport all that was needed.  A noted point that came out of the mouths of babes, when I said I like rugby but football/soccer was my preferred. That was what the Indians played is what they told us.  We chatted with them for a couple of hours, such a lovely bunch of kids.  We chose to support their team Filise which as it turned out was also the nearest club to our Beachhouse.   Boiling in the sun but loved it, some really good handling but great spirits and support, chatted to a couple of the adults so we didn't look completely dodgy invading a school rugby tournament. Filise came second but they had to play back to back which I felt was a bit unfair!

Anyway, how would we get back, crossed the road from the school, a couple of locals asked what we were doing, and then just flagged down a passing bus, and we all got on and got home.  My roadside experience here is not following conventional timetables but we seem to get to places quicker.

On the edge of our hostel is a bit of a an entrepreneurship scheme, Projects Collective. So we did out bit to support local businesses, took a look for the second time today, and bought some drinks.  Always up to see a bit of thriving local enterprise. We'd also thrown a few dollars at the local PTA at the school, these felt so much more rewarding that the more tourist stuff we did yesterday.

Back at the Beachouse, needed to cool off with a quick swim and as it turned out a palm tree swing. Just prior to that had managed to avoid being hit by a falling coconut, and also a big furry mongoose type creature that had shot out in front of us, so decided not to push luck any further, and have a couple of South Australian ciders and watch the sunset.

Bryn got back from his island trip, sounded great, we are doing it tomorrow. Altogether for evening meal, not eaten much today so needed something substantial, looks like another curry though. I smuggled a fruit cake into our room on the first day so that may also be getting devoured later too.  Best part of the curry was the fruity chutney, best part of the cake was the fruit. I need more fruit clearly.

(Carys)

Today has been a quieter one for me, with a relaxed breakfast and then a morning lounging by the beach. No run for me, but I joined mum in the sea to cool off when she was back from hers, and enjoyed looking at the fish in the corals - I think I'm commenting on the fish a lot here, but I'm fascinated by them. Quick dip in the pool after, and then I dried off. 

I then  didn't fancy going out into the sun for the morning so I stayed at the Beachouse, enjoying the hammocks and the view. I had rourou patties and wedges for lunch, which were rich and filling but tasty. After some more reading, mum, dad and I went to the Project Collective cafe on site and enjoyed a drink and a browse around the nice things they had  for sale - I bought some aftersun to sort my burn out, which is healing slowly.

 As the sun set came around again, I went for a walk into the low tide sea, which was very pretty, and managed to spot some more fish, along with some sea urchin type creatures, which suddenly were everywhere and icked me out a bit. The wildlife has been rife today, as I also saw a large toad later in the evening, among the many geckos that have been constantly in sight. 

After my sea stroll, we had a go on the big swing which is cute but feels a bit hard to navigate, and then I had a spontaneous urge to get in the pool when dad went in, so I had a dip. 

I regretted this when remembering I'd now need to wash my hair, so I did, and got ready for dinner. We had the lovely dogs as companions for a lot of our meal, and I've really enjoyed their company over the last few days - they're so peaceful and sweet. Food was a vegetable curry for me tonight, with roti bread, rice and a popadum, followed by a strawberry milkshake which I thoroughly enjoyed.