Navini, Fiji

Sunday 28 July

We visited Navini in Fiji last time we travelled.  We loved it so much that we’ve been looking for a way to get back here, and here we are.  For all of our concerns about Real Tonga, our flight from Vava’u down to Tongatapu left on time, arrived on time and flew smoothly in the middle.  We connected without hiccups to the Fiji flight and on arriving in Nadi we’re transferred down to the marina.  A blast out on a motorboat gets us into Navini at about 10pm.  We find our bure, dump our bags and crash out.

At 8 this morning the drumbeat summons us to breakfast.  Not much has changed since we were last here and we like that.

There’s a boat trip out this morning so we jump on it.  It takes us out to a little sandbar where we’re dropped off to spend an hour or so snorkeling and beach combing. 

We’re back in time for lunch and afterwards I’m contemplating what to do with my afternoon when I spot that the watersports hut has 2 SUPs.  I’ve been dying to try supping and since all the equipment is complimentary, this seems like a good time to give it a go.  I’m hooked straight away.  It’s brilliant fun and hard work too. 

Nick takes a little longer to warm to it – probably because he gets a couple of dunkings whereas I manage to remain upright.

We while away the rest of the afternoon sunbathing and snorkeling.  After dinner we join the local lads in a quick game of vidi vidi – it’s a bit like pool but played with plastic discs that you flick across the table. 

Janet adds: this is the first (and only) day that I’ve beaten Nick at 2 things: supping and vidi vidi (although my teammate can take all the credit for that).

Monday 29 July

We don’t fancy the trip out this morning, so we have the whole day at our leisure.  Nick is looking to develop a sailing obsession to match his golfing one and as the wind is up a little he grabs the chance to go out on the Hobie Cat. 

We have another go on the SUPs too – this time managing to get all the way round the island without either of us falling off.  Some kayaking, snorkeling and sunbathing later, it’s time for the 4.30 volleyball game.

 Janet adds: I’ve got to get me one of these SUP boards – and a convenient body of water to use it on.

Tuesday 30 July

The trip this morning is for fishing.  I don’t fancy it, but Nick goes.  He has a lovely morning snorkeling the outer reef and fishing – he manages to catch 2 fish but they’re tiddlers and have to be thrown back.  Still, he does better than anyone else on board.

I spend my morning on my new favourite hobby – supping.  Unfortunately I’m not as good as I think I am.  It takes 2 circuits round the island to work out I’m on the thing backwards.  No wonder it’s been such hard work.  I do one more circuit the right way round just in case.  I’m just cooling off with a snorkel when Nick gets back.

In the afternoon we head out for another snorkel and hit the jackpot: in the space of 5 minutes we see 2 reef sharks, a turtle and three spotted eagle rays.  The rays are beautiful and as they don’t see us for a while they hang below us in formation.  Of course we haven’t thought to bring the camera with us.  Back on dry land Nick decides on a doze in the hammock whilst I grab the camera and head back out to document the rays.  Sods law: they’re nowhere to be found.  There are sharks at every turn though and they’re a lot more interested in me when Nick isn’t around – some even look as though they’re contemplating a nibble.

In the evening we’re treated to a spectacular sunset.

Wednesday 31 July

There is no trip this morning, so we spend the day much like the others: supping, sailing, snorkeling and playing volleyball.  We even manage to snap a shot of the elusive eagle rays.

In the evening the staff prepare us a traditional Fijian feast followed by a kava ceremony, dancing and singing.

Thursday 1 August

There’s a fishing trip again this morning, which Nick heads out on.  I’ve warned him that anything he catches he’s going to have to eat.  He comes back with this whopper:

I’m looking forward to watching him try to eat that.

In the afternoon we’re both indulging our new obsessions (Nick on his Hobie Cat, me on my SUP board) when we’re treated to a fantastic sight: there’s a whale out in the bay.  He puts on a great show, throwing himself up into the air and coming down with an almighty splash over and over again.  The last time they had a whale here was 5 or 6 years ago, so it’s a real treat.

Friday 2 August

We wake up to pouring rain.  It’s not a promising start to the day, but by 9.30 the sun is back out and it’s a beautiful day.  We fall into our usual routine of snorkeling, sunbathing and supping.  Before we know it another day is gone. 

Janet adds: sea lice – proof the devil exists

Saturday 3 August

We’re leaving today, but as we’re only flying in the evening we’ve still got all day on Navini.  There’s a trip out to another resort this morning and as we need to be out of our room we decide to go.  The boat trip is fun and it gives us a chance to check out another, busier resort in Fiji.  It only makes us appreciate Navini all the more when we get back.  After a quiet afternoon we say our farewells and make tracks for the airport.