St Kilda

Today we went to St. Kilda, a small beach town suburb of Melbourne.  During the summer it is quite the happening place to be, however, on a weekday in the dead of winter, there wasn’t much going on.  We did have a nice pasta lunch and then stopped at the South Melbourne Market on our way back into town.  South Melbourne Market is a lot like Queen Victoria Market, just smaller and with more home goods and furnishing.  We picked up a marinated chicken, some fresh veggies, and some handmade raviolis.  I loved it!

We will miss you, Fiji

Bula Vinaka, Fiji!  We had a wonderful time!

Moce, until next time!

Derp

This kid takes after me.

Back to the mainland

Vacation is tough.

We are headed back to Viti Levu today.  We have 3 more days on the mainland before we go Down Under!

Sometimes you lose a shoe along the way

Too much fun was had today.

He's asleep.

The Hammock Life

This kid LOVES hammocks.  It's really the only way we can get him to hold still.  He will sit in a hammock, by himself or with a mom/dad, for minutes at a time!!!  Anyone who knows this kid knows that that is simply astonishing!

Barefoot Manta

The next 4 days are going to be spent "rough it," so to speak… the bure we are staying in doesn't have much in the way of comforts (hot water, etc).  It's essentially a thatched roof hut located about 30 feet from the beach.  It's so beautiful!

This is our front yard for the next 4 days.

Blue Lagoon

Pal was pulled up on stage to sing with the local school kids during their presentation at the resort.  It was so cute!  All of the kids swarm him to shower him with kisses and high fives.  He's always a little overwhelmed, but it is still very cute.

Pal loves Fiji!

Fiji is such a family-friendly place!  Everyone loves Pal!  Sometimes people will just whisk him away to explore new things or meet new people.  He's having so much fun!

Life without internet!

The last 5 days were spent without access to reliable internet so I am back-posting for the days we missed.  We are currently at Mantra Ray Island Resort and it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.  We are staying in a little hut just a few feet from a beautiful beach off of which you can snorkel across a live reef!  I mean, this isn't just any reef; it looks like something out of a movie!  A few strokes out and you find yourself completely surrounded by hundreds of colorful fish.  It's so beautiful! And after yesterdays adventure, this place is like heaven!

Manta Rays - holy #$%^

Today is our first day at Manta Ray Island.  We got here around noon, had lunch, then spent some time snorkeling (which is incredible all by itself).  This resort is famous for snorkeling and diving because of its proximity to manta ray and shark breeding grounds.  People come from all over the world to dive here.  They told us that they hadn't seen the mantas in a few weeks despite it being their high season.  We were stoked when we heard the drum call signaling manta ray sitings.  They herded us (literally) into boats and dropped us off in the currents where the mantas swim.  A few seconds later, a beautiful manta ray swam right below us, up through the current.  Matt and I, being the strongest swimmers, had little trouble keeping up with him as he swam just a few feet under us.  It was one of the coolest moments of my entire life.

Oh, and happy anniversary to us!!!

Last day at Beachcomber!

Today is our last day at Beachcomber!  It has been a lovely and relaxing few days!

Beach life

We are immensely enjoying our time at Beachcomber!  Fiji is known as the friendliest country in the world and they certainly live up to it.  And they LOVE Rowan.  The ladies will sometimes come and whisk him away, showering him with kisses and love.  He loves it too!

Beachcomber Island!

These are photos from our trip over to Beachcomber Island.

Last day in Nadi - Garden of the Sleeping Giant

Yesterday we spent the afternoon hiking through the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, an orchid garden just outside of Nadi.  Today we are catching the Yasawa Flyer for the first time to head out to Beachcomber Island.