Today was a spectrum of experience!
Media – Round 10
Rest, Waterfalls, and Community (3/17/23) – Photos
Rest, Waterfalls, and Community (3/17/23) – Video
3/17/23 @ 9:30pm – Yatule Resort and Spa, Fiji
All trip photo albums
Trip video playlist
Mr. Seamon-Ingalls:
A combination of several long days plus a few kids with upset stomachs meant that half the kids stayed at the resort for the day relaxing, sleeping, and taking in the amazing day. The other half headed out with me and Mrs. Seamon-Ingalls on a river journey! After a drive out east to Navua, we were greeted at the village in their launch house with juice, coffee, and snacks. We changed into our bathing suits and loaded into two longboats.
The 45 minute ride upriver was scenic and peaceful. We saw the edges of several other villages, lush greenery, and lots of small waterfalls cascading out of the jungle growth. We docked at a small area and then had a cool and refreshing walk up on the edge of a tributary to a massive waterfall! We then spent the next hour frolicking, swimming, and jumping into the large pool at the base of the waterfall. The water was perfectly refreshing and everyone had a blast in the water, except Wilson, who thought it was a bit too cold. We watched in wonder as our guides jumped from far up the falls. We were quite content with climbing10 feet up to a rock ledge and jumping from there! After a blissful hour, we walked back to the boats, with a small pause to jump from another perch into the river!
A few minutes into our boat ride downriver, we docked with a set of bamboo rafts and moved over to our new mode of travel! Each raft was piloted by one local and lone piece of bamboo. We gently floated downriver, with just the sound of the water and the jungle in the background. After 15 minutes on the boat we got back on the motorboats for a 30 minute ride back to the village. Next, we got fully dressed and walked the short distance over the meeting hall where we were met by the village spokesman, Nemani who was quite the orator!
We experienced another Cava ceremony, saw some epic dancing, and got in on the dancing ourselves. We then had a very, very tasty lunch and socialized with members of the village. Once again, no one could really compete with Wilson’s popularity! Next, Nemani led the group to another area where he demonstrated how they cut open a coconut, weave a basket, make ink-based art, and weave a mat. He continued amazing us with his stories and passionate energy for his culture. It was all very engaging.
A few of the kids then go massages while others went back to the meeting house to do some shopping. We socialized some more and then Nemani and a few others sang a beautiful goodbye song. We took a few more photos, got back on the bus, and journeyed home to Yatule.
Back at Yatule we found that everyone had a very restful day. We had a couple hours of free time and then dinner that included another amazing fire-based dance performance. Unsurprisingly, it was a couple of our birthdays, so we got some special attention. Everyone then meandered off to sleep.
Tomorrow the divers are up super early with everyone else heading out for another round of local activities.
What a place!