Taveuni (Fiji)

Travelling south east Asia for the part 8 months has been amazing! But all good things come to an end... apparently. Our last stop before going home is the Republic of Fiji. composed over 300 islands in the south pacific ocean. A vacation from our vacation! On the agenda: beach, snorkeling and lot's of chilling! We were a bit worried about budget but we found a few great homestays that are right within our budget.

We landed in Nadi, on the main island of Viti Levu. We spent only 1 night here before embarking on quite the adventure to Taveuni Island. The plane ride to this destination was absolutely out of this world amazing!!! 

The smallest plane the kids have ever been on. We are talking about a 15 seater, pilot and co-pilot within arms reach and the weighing of the luggage of coarse, but also of each passenger prior to boarding to balance out the plane. ​

The beauty of the views is just impossible to put into words. Flying low over the hundreds of small islands and islets, the translucide waters revealing the coral reefs. A moment in time that will never be forgotten, we embraced every second of the journey!

And just like that, the ride was over... arriving on the small tarmac and crossing the open air "airport", we had arrived in the first of a few paradis we were about to discover in Fiji.

A taxi was here to greet us and drive us to our home stay. The owners were not on site, however, their nephew Jason with whom we shared the home proved to be an outstanding host. We were here to stay for 9 days. The house was perfect. Solar powered with a gas stove. Sitting up on the hill, the views from the balcony out on the ocean were breathtaking. To top it off, the two house dogs were of excellent company and the gardens were beautiful. 

We really took the time to relax and just enjoy the days without running around all the time. We played cards, cooked and shared nice meals. 

We set out for a day of diving on the rainbow reef and another day of snorkeling as well. Two beautiful days, enjoying the sun and the underwater world.

We also explored the hidden treasures of the island. First we head out to play like kids in the Islands natural waterslide.
​The Waitavala Waterslide is hidden a short hike through the jungle. It's a natural rock slide that we couldn't get enough of!​

We then confronted a rainy a day and set out to find the hidden Tavoro waterfall. A few hours of hiking along side the beautiful coastline and the jungle and a swim upstream landed us at the foot of the fall where we could literally feel it's power!

On August 11th, we treated Éloïse to some horseback riding for her birthday, something we all enjoyed very much!!!

Jason introduced us to the neighbors who graciously invited us to share a traditional evening meal. We spent the afternoon participating in the preperation and the cooking. Basically, they call un underground oven a "Lovo" and so a lovo meal. Making the oven is a process in itself.

Step 1: Dig a hole and line with coconut shells

Step 2: layer wood and then lava rocks. Start the fire to heat the rocks.

Step 3: We need coco milk!

Step 4: Prepare all the food to be cooked in the lovo oven.

Step 5: Place the food to be cooked on the steaming hot lava rocks. A few strips of banana tree stem keep the food from taking fire.

The oven is covered first with banana tree leaves

They go on top of the banana leaves

Add a tarp and then everything then gets burried

We then need a few "small" elephant ear leaves

And cooks for several hours

What a feast!!

Thank you Jason for this amazing time on Taveuni! 'Till we come again!!