The day did not start well with access to the internet down. After spending a hour looking at the computer and router in reception it was determined the ISP was down – probably a cloud in front of the satellite. Disaster so will have to wait until the afternoon to load up the content. Reception did not seem to care – “happens all the while, will come back soon. Fiji time.” A couple arrive by taxi and come into reception, it is their honeymoon and they are wanting a quiet peaceful time – not sure they know what they have let themselves in for.
The heat has kicked in – thankyou for the wind that is keeping the temp to a manageable 31oC. Judging by the helping at breakfast, some of the guys are bulking up for the last game. In contrast, a few are bulimic and sheading kilo’s especially Mark Ronald is a shadow of his former self. Once fed and watered table tennis, pool or swimming kicks in until the buses arrive to take us out for the day. A lot of excitement and discussion about how the Sea Eagles will go. One of the boys reckons they will kill Melbourne 40 – 0 – yeh right.
We are not all in semi-detached cabins. Some of the groups are “up top” where there are four or five units joined together. They are pretty Spartan with two bunk beds and a bathroom but ideal for what we need. They are joking referred to as Stalag 13.
The maintenance crew have been busy with all the usual things you would expect – door handles falling off, chair legs snapping, bunks breaking under the strain… They are loving it – the resort is being refitted at our cost.
The buses have not arrived so we are waiting patiently out front of reception. Some were more prepared for Fiji time that others. Orange calls Kina and the service is put back 45 mins to allow the buses and us time.
The drive to Kina’s village is a familiar one and the buses squeeze in between a couple of huts and down the middle before parking. We see familiar faces and new – all dressed up in the Sunday best for the service. We have to cover our shoulders so some of the ladies and boys are wearing the polo shirts we were giving them. Very corporate. Two boys are talking religion “I am an atheist because Jesus told to me to.”
We then file in to the church and experience a full on Methodist service. The highlight was one song that the young village kids clearly loved with a repeating line “jumping in the light…” and “running in the light…” All the kids are running or jumping on the spot and singing to their hearts content.
We discovered that the area of Fiji we were in practiced cannibalism until 1948 after which time it was considered unsavoury to eat people.
After the service the village puts on a feast for us which was magnificent. This was followed by some songs to which a group of villagers perform a choreographed number to. It had images of auditions to “So you think you can dance – Fiji”.
Back to the resort for afternoon tea, a swim and for some a sleep. On the way I hear two of the boys talking – “So what do you think happens when you die ?”. “I am an atheist, so pretty much black.”
Michael was very affected by the service and on the way back was still looking for a light.
Imodium is being used liberally as a bug seems to be going through the tour group (literally). Four of the resort staff are herding a cow back to the main road that had wandered into the bar area !!! The events board has a date box at the top near the day, against which is painted “Don’t know, don’t care.”
Some of the parents pop up the road for a cappuccino, flat white or muckyarto.
[Resort1, resort]
Everyone is congregating in the bar to watch the NRL Grand Final. The 15” TV is on all the while, the data projector is on (to cheers) for 2 – 3 minutes and then off (to boos) for 2 – 3 minutes. It cycles through this. It works and the atmosphere was great – everyone on tenter hooks for the first 30 mins but then manly seemed to some over Melbourne and in the end finished with daylight to zip (40 vs 0) – unlucky Kale.
Dinner was served during the game. A lovely stir fry with chops, eggs and chips. Grand Final fair of the highest order.
Once the game was over Fax moved into top gear and was organising games for the guys. A couple of players were discussing stools while Fax organised musical chairs on the dance floor.
The celebrations continue with FiB the order of the day. One dad is having trouble talking “Are you sure English is you first language ?”. Paul Boxall has a sore tour throat so is seen gargling with FiB. Michael had another birthday.
A game of bottle walking ensues (wooden floor, no bashing the bottles) and receives complaints due to the noise and commentary. The English world champion (Geoff) and New Zealand world champion (Terry L) make the final with the South African world champion (John VZ) and Austrian world champion (Rob W) worth a honorary mention.
Curfew and bed time follows … another quiet night on the range…