Fiji

Drawaqa Island, Yasawa Fiji about 3 hours by catamaran boat from Port Denarau. You transfer by small boat to the beach.
Barefoot Manta Resort--best snorkeling so far with lovely rustic "glamping" in our waterfront safari tent. Lyle outdid himself on this spot...






The Yasawa Flyer provides daily service out and back.


Passengers are transferred to small boats.

Supplies come ashore the same way

Diesel barrels for the generator are dropped overboard and floated ashore.

Bula means welcome and hello in Fijian.
Flew an ATR 72 turboprop 3 hours to Nadi (pronounced Nandi) Fiji and are now in a hotel that Jan calls "the barracks" (it looks like an old army barracks or prison block) and it is backpacker central for Fiji with multiple 30 bed dorms, beach, pool, bar, 24 hour restaurant, and also our very spartan en-suite accommodation that includes wi-fi and electric. Nadi is the jump off point for the outer islands which I just booked at the tour desk. We'll be going to the Yasawa islands, about 3 hours east of here via fast catamaran boat, in a few days. In the mean time we'll be exploring the city, stocking up on supplies, and getting some rest. We had originally planned to stay on the Coral Coast of Fiji, but after looking at reviews it just didn't seem worth the isolation or cost. So we are 4 days here instead.

Mana Island is the largest resort in the Mamanucas (600 bungalows). About 1 1/2 hours by boat from Port Denarau, it has it's own air strip and wharf. The two beaches have pristine reefs with many colorful fish and corals. Also has 2 pools and 3 restaurants.