Day 1: Nadi, Fiji

So, despite the title of this blog, these first couple posts will not, in fact, pertain to my life in New Zealand as I will be spending my first two weeks abroad traveling around Fiji. From what I can tell so far, this was an excellent decision (granted I've only been in the country for a grand total of 4 hours, so we'll see what happens). I'm shacked up for the night at the Bamboo backpacking hostel for a grand total of $15 FJD a night, which works out to around $9 US. The amenities include a bathroom and shower, a ping pong table, two hammocks, a volleyball court, some straw huts for chillin out in and a couple 15 bed dorms; not exactly 5 star but it's pretty much perfect for the money.

Bamboo hostel

I arrived this morning (Jan. 21st) at 5:15 am. Fiji is 19 hours ahead of CST, so that puts me in around 10 am on the morning of the 20th relative to the states. Going through customs was somewhat comical. On the plane they gave me a form to fill out asking a bunch of questions about declarations. One of the questions asked if I had anything that might be prohibited such as drugs, firearms, spring-loaded knives, etc. and another asked if I had any used sporting equipment. As I'm traveling with a spring-loaded knife, perscription meds, and used camping gear, I reluctantly checked yes to both of these questions half expecting these items to be confiscated at customs (as they would be in the US). Upon passing through customs though, I approached the equivalent of a Fijian TSA agent to declare my goods, and began stammering about the used camping equipment, etc. She took one look at me, asked me if I had prescription meds and when I replied yes asked me if they were prescribed by a doctor. When I said yes she just let me through, no search or anything. It seems that Fiji's not so worried about national security...

After arriving at the hostel, I wondered down to the beach with a fellow traveler. The beaches in Nadi are not nearly as pristine as your stereotypical photo of a white, sandy Fijian resort, but the water is unbelievably warm! It must be around 80 degrees. While wondering around on the beach we ran into John the coconut con man, who proceeded to con us into paying 5x market value for a coconut. He initially prompted us by saying "oh you've never had this juice?! you have to try some! come with me!" Turns out that meant "pay me for a coconut," which became very apparent after he began dropping hints about how he provides for his family of 9 by climbing palm trees and selling said coconuts. I knew he was gonna charge us for 'em from the get go but went along with it anyway. I only gave him $5 FJ (less than 3 USD) for it, and it's kinda a funny story. Plus he took a sweet picture of us drinking out of coconuts with straws and told us a bit about his life, cool places to check out while we're here, and where to by booze for cheap.

myself and Mattias of Germany drinking out of coconuts. for those of you who know Brad, there's an uncanny similarity....

So that's been my first four hours in Fiji. If that's any indication of what the trip will be like, should be a damn good time. Idk what the wifi situation will be like wherever I'm headed next (haven't quite figured that out yet) but I will attempt to update this silly thing whenever I get the chance. 

Cheers!

PS Jansen, I know you probably wont read this, but it's shell heaven down here. Screw NC you should be down here. Just sayin....

PPS Few more pics...