Fiji- Bula

After 3 separate, yet on-time, flights, totaling 17 hours plus over 5 hours of layovers, C-man thinking he was going to barf in the plane (but thankfully did not), and a hot, slow trip through customs, we made it to Fiji. Our taxi driver informed us we are 3 days away from winter, and we could probably tell because it was getting cool. Today was 86 degrees and completely humid. We admitted this was not something we were accustomed to calling winter.

But we celebrated our arrival with beers and smoothies. C-man couldn't believe how 'fancy' the place we're staying is. It really is quite beautiful - all hard wood and infinity pools and giant chess boards and gorgeous views and tropical air that smells like humid, black earth. Due to C-man being quite tired, we spent a large portion of the day in the pool getting our burn on. We had a small side trip to the marina shops to have lunch and get him a Fiji Rugby jersey (at which point, people started cheering for Fiji Rugby when they saw him). If it had been just Beerman and me, we would have tackled some adventure today. But knowing what a busy couple of weeks this child had, plus the toll of this travel change, we made a conscious effort to let him dictate the pace. Plus, it is vacation.

It really is a lovely place, although where we're staying now isn't the best of Fiji. (You'll remember we were the first Survivors to get kicked off the island when that show decided to take over our resort) This stretch of resorts seems to be a bit like the Riveria Maya for the Australians - where they come to lay around and eat and drink and not do much else. We're here to see a bit of Nadi before heading out on the sailboat.

The food has been excellent. I about died over the breakfast we had while we waited for our room to be ready. (Seriously, I can hardly wait until tomorrow when we get to do it again!) And everything is quite... Fiji. Even the torches that are throughout the resort are intricately carved.

We had an early dinner on the water and watched a spectacular sunset. C-man was begging to go to sleep, but we made him stay up a bit. He took a shower and lasted until 7:30. This 18 hour time difference has hit him hard. I'm sure he'll adjust quickly, though. He always does. Tomorrow, we are heading to the Sleeping Giant - a mountain with an orchid garden and some waterfalls. And then in the evening, we're going to the 'cultural show', which should have some beautiful fire dancers. Beerman is convinced it's just a cheesy Fiji luau. I think we're both right. Overally, I'm hoping for some good photos. (As long as this humidity stops fogging up my lenses!)

And with that, Day 1 of Spring Break is in the books.