Bula!

Fiji Air got us from Auckland to Nadi in good order. Fiji customs and immigration looked formidable on the website--I spent a good bit of time scraping mud, etc., off our hiking books, poles, tent pegs, etc., and we packed our packaged food and other such items with great care and for ease of inspection--but it was just a walk-through. Bags x-rayed, but not opened. We suspect the Fijians understandably let their guard down with flights from hyper-environmentalist New Zealand. Whatever. The on-going flight to LAX, which we'll be on in less than a week, was cancelled, so the shuttle to the Mercure, where we were staying the night, was crowded and the hotel quite full. We spent the rest of the evening reorganizing and repacking, again, for our week in the Yasawan Islands; and getting used to the heat and humidity. We're in the tropics now.

Poolside courtyard at the Mercure; note
Travelers' tree

Next morning, another shuttle took us to the port, Denarau,
where we boarded the Yasawa Flyer II (they never explained
what happened to I), which would take us, at length, to
the Yasawan Islands, and Nanuya, where we are to stay
nearly a week; a fast catamaran, very comfortable; mostly
tourists, mostly backapackas

The itinerary; 5 hours to Nanuya, a dozen
or more stops

Vicki takes in the passing scenery, beautiful South Seas
island after beautiful South Seas island

Looking back to the big island

Other islands, some big, with mountains, others so small
you wonder how they will fare with global warming

Bigger island, mountain

Another mountain

At every stop, a resort or village, boats come out to
deliver people and to take on more people, supplies, etc.

Shoals, reefs, along the way

Finally, our island and Nanuya Resort come into view

Closer up; as it turned out, our "villa" is right in the middle,
on the shore

We and our gear are off-loaded into the tender and head for the
beach

To be greeted by friendly staff members of the Resort,
bearing refreshments, bead necklaces, flowers, etc.