Nothing is muted here in Fiji. Life is everywhere.
Media – Round 11
Above and Below (3/18/23) – Photos
Above and Below (3/18/23) – Video
3/18/23 @ 9:00pm – Yatule Resort and Spa, Fiji
All trip photo albums
Trip video playlist
Mr. Seamon-Ingalls:
After an early night and and evening of rest, it wasn’t quite as challenging as the day before getting up at 4:45am to check on the diver rooms at 5. Once again we loaded up on pancakes, french toast, and coffee and by 5:30am we were on the road heading back to Pacific Coast. In a call-back to my secondary school days of daily early bus rides, we were all back to sleep only a few minutes into the bus ride.
The ride out was faster than two days ago and the sun was just as bright as we unloaded at Coral Coast Divers. The whole dive crew went into action loading up the boat with all of our equipment, a process that was easier since they already knew all our sizes. We picked up our fins and wet suits and by a little after 8 we were heading out into the Pacific Harbour.
This time around the dive shope owner (Axel) as well as a dive instructor trainer (Tom) came out with us in addition to the other three Dive Masters (DMs). Our first dive put us directly into a pretty solid current and we got to pull ourselves down to depth on a line attached to the anchor. We then got to swim around the egde of huge coral walls, and after battling a strong current, we turned and got to swim through a very large underwater coral/stone tunnel. So much fun! We then got to meander around with the group and see more fish and really cool coral formations.
Back on the boat we chatted about what we saw and the new experience of diving in current, a really important skill to have! We jetted back into the port, unloaded, and relaxed in the sun for about 15 minutes while all the tanks were swapped. Axel then gave us the choice for our second dive — Either do a shallow reef dive with no current at the reef we went to on the 16th, or go to a new dive site and do a drift dive at the edge of a huge drop off. The kids chose the drift dive!
Out on the water we made a slightly further journey out to the new dive site. The sun was shining and the ride was smooth since there was little wind and the waves were small. This time there was no line for our decent, so immediately upon entry we gathered up as a group and did a free descent. The current pulled us along the top of the big reef and the leader DM guided us along, eventually bringing us to the edge. We got to a depth of about 55 feet as we traveled along the wall and then back up to the top of the coral. We continued along the top of the formation, between an awesome topology of fish, coral, and vibrant sea life.
Everyone reported feeling really comfortable and confident on the dive which was fantastic to hear. Liz, Lucy, and Zoe even saw a sting ray! Back at the dive shop we unloaded gear, showered a bit, and then had another great lunch. We relaxed in the sun, chatted with the staff, took a group photo, then had a little more time to relax before our bus picked us up at 1.
Back at Yatule we re-connected with the whole group who had spent the day on a tour. More on that from Mrs. Mish later. We spend the afternoon enjoying the perfect weather, floating int he ocean, reading, and playing with Wilson. At 5 we had a group meeting to chat about the rest of the day and outline the next. Everyone was then given more free time. A group of kids stayed in the lobby area to take in the view and chat with Mrs. Seamon-Ingalls. I took the chance to plant myself at a shaded beach table, watch the sunset, and write this entry.
We gathered at 6:45 for another very filling and lively dinner. Lots of energetic conversations floated through the area and spirits were high. Wilson was passed around and then he passed out in his little travel cradle.
Everyone else soon followed. Tomorrow we’re up a little later for a day of zip lining, cooking, breach games… and more!
Mrs. Mish:
After a breakfast at the hotel the non-diving group headed off to our first stop at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes. These sand dunes are Fiji’s only national park and include over 600 hectares where ancient Fijian pottery has been found dating back 2600 years! The group did a 40-minute walk through the dunes and along the ocean before heading back to the bus.
Our next stop was the Nakabuta Pottery village where the women of the village welcomed us with a traditional Kava welcome ceremony and a pottery making demonstration. All of the pottery is made from clay that members of the village gather from the local river and is made by hand then air and sun dried before further dried with fire. Once dry it is glazed with gum from trees that they purchase from other villages. We were able to find some souvenirs for home and then were sent on our way with a traditional goodbye song.
Finally, we made our way to the Tavuni Hill Fort was built in the 18th century and sits atop a limestone ridge. Its location was ideal in times of war to protect the people of the village. While much of this village was destroyed by fire, you can still see evidence of house foundations, grave sites, and even their ceremonial sacrificial stone from when cannibalism was still practiced.