Fiji - cruise

One of the things we wanted to do and have the kids experience in Fiji was snorkelling.  So we hopped on a boat and went cruising to a small island.  Unfortunately for us, the day we booked happened to be the only day it rained.  It's not that it doesn't rain in Fiji, but up until that point the rain was usually in the late afternoon and didn't last long.  Plus even when it rains the temperature is still warm.

The kids loved the boat ride, even though it was a bit choppy and the rain drizzled.  Thirty minutes from port later and land ahoy!  Our beautiful island could be sited, with rain clouds surrounding it.  Boo hoo!  Fingers were crossed the rain would hold off.

Once on island Michael, Henry and Milly stripped down to their swimmers and put on their snorkelling gear.  Buster and I were trying to find ourselves a small hut or shelter where we could stay dry and watch the snorkelers.  The water surrounding the island was lovely and warm.  Michael said the visibility for snorkelling was poor but he had a great time anyway.  Some fellow snorkelers even spotted a small shark.

Henry and Milly didn't last long in the ocean and headed up the beach to me and Buster and spent the rest of the time on the island in the pool or in hammocks.

It rained and drizzled on and off while we were there, which can't be helped but did spoil the day a little.  The island would have been the perfect paradise to spend a day lazying about.  The cruise company put on a big buffet lunch and entertainment before it was time to get back on the boat and head home for some hot showers.

Fiji - part 2

You can't help but feel relaxed in Fiji.  Time just seems to slow down and the days feel longer.  There's no need to rush.  I'll admit I spent a lot of time just lying around and staring off into the distance.  My mind was at peace.

One of the fun things to do on Denarau Island where the resorts are lined up along the beach is catch the Bula Bus.  It picks up from each resort and takes you to the marina for shopping, eating or boat trips.  It's not a traditional bus, but the openness allows for a nice breeze on those hot Fiji days.

Back at our resort Milly and I took in a weaving demonstration.  They made me this hat and I loved it.  Unfortunately, when it was time to leave Fiji, it was still too green to pass Australian customs.  They chucked it in the bin.

It's fair to say we ate well in Fiji.  Our resort had two restaurants.  One of them was called the Beach Shack and it had beautiful views across the water.  Breakfast there was a highlight for the kids because they had waffles.  I opted for a granola with coconut yoghurt.

 The Radisson Blu resort next door to ours had the most spectacular Thai restaurant.  It was al fresco and overlooked their tropical gardens.  The food was sensational.  The best yellow curry I've ever tasted.

Fiji - part 1

When your Dad has ownership in holiday resorts and says "Hey, we're going to Fiji next year would you like to come too?" there can be no other answer than YES please!!!  

What followed was months of saving, booking flights, and organising five passports (that whole experience could be a separate blog post, but I won't bore you with the kerfuffle that Australia Post put me through).  What we thought would be the hardest part of finding somewhere to put Minnie for eight days turned out to be the easiest, when my friend and hairdresser said she would love to have her and house sit for us. 

Cut to our alarms going off at 3.15am and our red-eyed, early morning drive down to Sydney to check in and board our 8.30am flight.  

The kids were very excited.  There were a whole lot of 'firsts' for them. This would be their first time on a plane, being responsible for passports, getting through customs, airport lounges, lots of waiting around etc.  They were fantastic and took it all in their stride.

There were some butterflies as the plane took off, but they enjoyed their first flight and were too busy soaking up the experience to let any other nerves bother them.  They either had their heads in a book or in their devices watching movies and before they knew it we were no longer flying high above the clouds but sighting islands and preparing to land in Fiji.

The first thing we noticed when we embarked from the plane was the heat.  It hit me like the warmest of hugs.  Being a cold frog myself, I was suddenly in body temperature heaven.

We hung around the airport waiting for my Dad and Tracey, who were flying in from Brisbane an hour behind us.  When they arrived the holiday started to feel real.

We caught two taxis to the resort, with us girls stopping at a supermarket along the way to pick up supplies.  Milly's eyes were wide open taking in the different landscapes and look of the villages we passed.  Even the supermarket was very different to what she was used to.

Arriving at the resort was bliss.  It was a tropical paradise.  Resort living in Fiji versus the real living in Fiji couldn't be more different and was very easily noticeable.  But hey, we didn't just come to Fiji for a cultural experience, we mainly came for a relaxing holiday and resort living was how we were doing it.

The kids couldn't wait to check out our villa and get into their swimmers and hit the pool.  We had a gorgeous three bedroom garden villa, with full equipped kitchen.  It was close to the pool but tucked out of the way, which gave us privacy and very little people traffic.  It also had a nice paved outdoor area with a BBQ and sun loungers.

Our first two days were spent at the resort getting to know the pool area and the pool bar.  The pool was enormous and the kids lived in it.  It was perfect for cooling off.  There were plenty of adults floating around on pool noodles and chilling out.

The pool bar was also a favourite hang out.  The cocktails were very good and our favourite barman, Paul, was one of the highlights from the holiday.  He taught and shared with us so much about the Fijian way of life and his village.  He had a great sense of humour and made delicious cocktails and mocktails.  The kids thought his chocolate milkshake was the best milkshake they'd ever tasted.  

Things Milly says #17

Just driving along when I randomly get asked....

Milly:  Mum, did you have roads when you were my age?

Me:  Yes, Milly.  Roads were invented way before I was born.  They were even around before Nanoo.

She then continues to stare out the car window.

Back to school

Hooray for the end of school holidays.  It's back to school.  Everyone was organised and happy to head out the door for the first day back, until Boo yanked his arm and hurt it.  So no smiles from him in these "back to school" photos.

Everyone enjoyed their first day of school.  No homework was given, so they were very happy.  Mister has a big timetable, that he understands, and high school doesn't seem that daunting anymore.  There is only one other boy from his primary school in his class.  He's most excited that he gets to dissect a squid at some stage during the year.

Little Miss Hair

Most school holidays Milly wants her hair dyed for a bit of fun.  Usually it's just a couple of streaks of colour that wash out over time and before school starts again.  This time she wanted two colours, pink and purple, and she wanted them for the beginning of school.  

The school doesn't have a policy about dyed hair, so it shouldn't be a problem.  Plus the dye isn't permanent, it will wash out over the next few weeks.  

I think it turned out pretty good, and most importantly, Milly loves it. 

Buster our little Hot Shot

In Australia, January is a month of tennis as the stars of the tennis world descend on our beautiful country for the Australian Open grand slam event.  There are a few tournaments held that lead up to the Open.  One of these tournaments is the Sydney International.  Buster was lucky enough to be one of eight kids selected from his tennis club to attend the event on a kid's day full of activities.

The highlight of the day was attending a coaching session on centre court prior to the commencement of the days match play.  This kid loves to hit a ball.

He then got a tour of the tunnels under the stadium and got to form a guard of honour for two players (Sloane Stephens and Camila Giorgi) as they entered the court.  The kids held out their hands for a "high five" from the players.  Buster tells me Camila Giorgi didn't high five the kids and had a "poopy" look on her face.  Sloane Stephens, on the other hand, had a smile for everyone and Buster got a high five.  She went on to win the match.

Nanoo did the trip to Sydney with Buster.  I was at home eagerly watching the TV for a glimpse of him on centre court.  Alas, they didn't show the match and chose to televise a match on another court.

The rest of his day was spent on the practise courts they had set up for the kids.  He joined any game that was going just to have more time with the ball.  He and Nanoo also watched some matches as well.

It was a big day out for the little man and he was exhausted at the end, but it was a day he'll remember and a day he felt very special indeed.

Christmas with Nanoo

We had a second Christmas at my mum's house just before New Year.  My brother and family came up to join us.  It was a hot day of cricket, lunch, and more cricket.