Fiji-La

Bula from Fiji-La:D I have gone completely native and I'm currently operating on Fiji time. I have no idea when I arrived, where I'm going or what day/month/year it is. I think it's probably the mid 90s which would put Adilady in her mid twenties. I'm certainly behaving like it; after 3 nights on the beeros I've indulged in my first proper beach day since leaving blightly and I'm turning a gorgeous shade of dark white.

I am currently staying on the picturesque island of Mana and hanging out with some pretty cool young folks, my favourites being Petros from London and Neil from Wales. Both guys are in their late twenties and pretty damn hot, sorry ladies no photographic evidence;)

You can take the girl away from Manch but Manch's weather seems to be following me around the globe. Today was the first proper sunshine I have seen since my arrival. Here are the pictures I managed to take from hangover hammock. I love watching the local kids playing chase and splashing around in the sea, they are so full of joy and happiness.

My first day here was a cloudfest and I spent the day getting my ass whipped at cards and a couple of solitary hours walking all the way around the island. The rocks were really slippy and I fell and spliced me poor old fingerage open. I met a Dutch couple who said they had followed my blood trail:(

 

My first night here was spent on Sunset Beach, Adilady with her cheesey smile restored for my loyal and devoted fans:D

 

And this was the sunset the day afterwards. Wistful...

Petros is well into his diving and he speaks so passionately about it that he convinced me to give it another go. I find the whole scuba thing as natural as a fish on a bicycle and was totally bricking it. My instructor was this lovely Irish lass called Efa and she was so calm and patient with me and let me hold her hand the whole time. IT WAS AWESOME!!! A totally alien landscape of turrets, spires and mushroom brains with a kaleidoscope of colours and the fish!!! Tonnes better than snorkelling on the GBR.

Most people I've been hanging with left today. Neil decided to stay an extra day and do a dive so we had dinner together and were entertained by the local kids singing 'Jesus loves you' songs. How cute?

I could always work in a school in Fiji-La if things don't work out back home. Sorry for short bloggingtons but I'm off to bed to nurse my abused body, it's only 9:30! Tomorrow I'm off to another island called Bounty which is very remote and won't have WiFi. What made me happy on Mana? The diving and the lovely, lovely people, especially Petros. He was a real sweetheart with a sensitive soul. Lots of love and over and out xxx

Cairns

Quick bloggingtons regarding Cairns, it is a city popular for its surrounding areas as opposed to what it has to offer.

Below are pictures of couch surf hosty Dave and fellow surfer Sally from Cornwall. Two warm, friendly and genuine people that I had the pleasure of spending time with. I have been sooo lucky with the people I have met and befriended in Oz. D and S got on like a house on fire and many a joke was made re hat buying and returning to Cairns for the wedding:D

On my visit to the botanical gardens I went on the short red arrow walk that gives far reaching views of the city. Cairns is surrounded by hills covered in rainforest and this mountain goat just wanted to gallop up them. Unfortunately Dave said I can't because there are no tracks and the forest is too dense. Is it still called 'bush bashing' in more tropical climes?

I have no idea what this tree is called but I love the contrast of the fiery red blossoms against the stark black seed pods; they are all over the city. Australia is so vibrant in colour, I will miss it when I return to the muted motherland: (

 A wild bush turkey.

Thursday I chilled in the city, wandered the shops (not much cop) and went in search of decent WiFi connection (practically impossible to find). Can I big up 'Bang and Grind?' A wonderful coffee shop with the best name and coffee in town and the only decent WiFi in the whole city. Thanks guys, without you the last two bloggingtons would never have been written.

In the afternoon. I walked along the Esplanade, Australia may not have the historic buildings that we gloat about in Europe but I love their street sculptures. Even in a small place like Cairns there were pieces that caught my eye.

 

I saw this little one playing alone in the sand and thought he was a real cutie.

A tree in the middle of the ocean, what's that all about?

And this sign is all a bit scary to a British bird who was born and bred in blighty, nothing can kill you there lol. Apparently the warning is also in German as more German tourists get killed by crocodiles than any other nation; make of that what you will.

The war memorial.

Saturday morning Dave and I went to Yorky's Knob to run his dogs Holly and Bundy. Bundy is not named after a notorious American serial killer but the Ozzy town of Bunderburgh; famed for distilling Australian rum.

In the afternoon we chilled out at Crystal Cascades, beautiful waterfalls where the locals go to bathe and barbie.

How magnificent is this dragonfly? It looks like it's been carved from turquoise, which just happens to be my birth stone.

And this is some kind of breadfruit.

So now I am bound for Fiji and it is with a heavy heart that I leave Oz. I would like to dedicate this bloggingtons to all the amazing people I have met here who have welcomed me into their homes and looked after me. In order of our meetings: Kerrylee; Matt; Carey and Soph; Matt again (lol); Ella and Eduardo; Machatarn, family and friends; Steve; Dave and Co; Last but not least the adorable Steph. I miss you all already and I insist you all come and stay with me in my beamed cottage for one (once it is bought). Cheesy grin restored, especially for J. This is Adilady sending her love and saying over and out. Next installment from Fiji WiFi permitting xxx

Oops! I almost forgot. Rusty's market that rivals any I saw in SE Asia and the crazy fruit bats; they fly around at dusk like spooky extras out of Scoobydoo:)