The Nomads have arrived in Fiji. Taking off on a Saturday night in LA and arriving on a Monday morning in Nadi the capital of Fiji, mysteriously losing a day in our lives. Nadi Airport is located on Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest and main island. It is 5 o clock in the morning when we touch down and when we leave the passport check point at the airport customs area. Now all we had to do is arrange our accommodation on Fiji. Not particularly problematic for Nomads.
3 is the magic number.
3 espressos and a short shop around later we have made a 3 night bungalow reservation on Beach Cocomo. Lati our local liaison leads the way and never leaves our side until 3 hours later we’re safely on the public bus, giving the bus driver clear directions where to drop us off. A few dollars and another 3 hours later we arrive at Beach Cocomo. Of course 80 dollars for a taxi would have taken us just 1 hour travel time. But nothing beats local transport to get a feeling for the country and we’ve easily adjusted to famous Fiji time. Something very familiar and similar to the phenomenon known as 'Jam Karet' (Rubber Time). As our host Isao explains on Fiji you don’t really need a watch as you can tell time by looking at the sun moving from east to west. Of course you have to give and take half an hour.
Beach Cocomo is a very small resort just off Sigatoka town with only 2 bungalows for guests, while the other 2 bungalows are occupied by the owners and caretakers. Very intimate and flexible and the perfect ocean front accommodation for newly wed Nomads. The caretakers Oka and Sammy are Fijian. The hosts however are Japanese and Korean. Isao San is a surfer that settled on the island 16 years ago, his Korean girlfriend Mary joined him a mere 6 years ago. When Isao first arrived for a one year contract he soon decided that this might very well be a good spot for a surfing nomad to settle. Far away from hectic Japan and close to sun, sea and surf. Isao an old Bali wave surfer loves chatting with me in Indonesian and is delighted to smoke kretek again. As his girlfriend's family is visiting and will occupy the other bungalow he says smilingly: "This week is Asian week here."
3 is the magic number.
3 espressos and a short shop around later we have made a 3 night bungalow reservation on Beach Cocomo. Lati our local liaison leads the way and never leaves our side until 3 hours later we’re safely on the public bus, giving the bus driver clear directions where to drop us off. A few dollars and another 3 hours later we arrive at Beach Cocomo. Of course 80 dollars for a taxi would have taken us just 1 hour travel time. But nothing beats local transport to get a feeling for the country and we’ve easily adjusted to famous Fiji time. Something very familiar and similar to the phenomenon known as 'Jam Karet' (Rubber Time). As our host Isao explains on Fiji you don’t really need a watch as you can tell time by looking at the sun moving from east to west. Of course you have to give and take half an hour.
Beach Cocomo is a very small resort just off Sigatoka town with only 2 bungalows for guests, while the other 2 bungalows are occupied by the owners and caretakers. Very intimate and flexible and the perfect ocean front accommodation for newly wed Nomads. The caretakers Oka and Sammy are Fijian. The hosts however are Japanese and Korean. Isao San is a surfer that settled on the island 16 years ago, his Korean girlfriend Mary joined him a mere 6 years ago. When Isao first arrived for a one year contract he soon decided that this might very well be a good spot for a surfing nomad to settle. Far away from hectic Japan and close to sun, sea and surf. Isao an old Bali wave surfer loves chatting with me in Indonesian and is delighted to smoke kretek again. As his girlfriend's family is visiting and will occupy the other bungalow he says smilingly: "This week is Asian week here."
Fiji is the most eastern Melanesian country in the Pacific Ocean and has the most developed tourist infrastructure and facilities in the region.
TBC - Tobecontinued
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