Friday, September 16, 2011

A day soaking up the sun and the Fijian culture!

Day 3 Novotel, Nadi, Fiji Thursday 15/09/2011

 What a great day! 
Another beautiful buffet breakfast overlooking the tropical gardens, manicured golf course and the sleeping Giant Mountain Range watching over, was a the perfect start!
A solid but enjoyable workout in the gym (Thanks Jac! ) culminated with a most welcome dip in the pool and a day glued to the poolside lounges relaxing, reading and napping! Pete transferred to the hammock where a more serious snooze was in order - note his hammock back in the pics!







Come early afternoon the cultural entertainment began poolside with a very talented young Fijian man - Kilioni - slipping on many boots! He sang and played the guitar, conducted a very interesting “Coconut Time”, invited us all to join him for Kava, announced the start of Happy Hour by beating the Fijian wooden drum, and he closed a most enjoyable afternoon poolside with the Torch Lighting Ceremony. 



Coconut time was really interesting - he explained how the whole tree is utilized by the Fijians. Like a monkey he shinnied up the tree and cut down some young, green coconuts and proceeded to machete them open so we each could try the coconut water and the coconut jelly once we’d drunk the water. The coconut water is excellent for the kidneys and the blood. Most Fijians begin their day by drinking coconut water. It is the older brown coconuts  contains the coconut milk and the coconut pulp. The all important Kava drinking bowl comes from the inner shell of this older coconut. Coconut oil also comes from the older brown coconut. The fibre removed from around the brown coconut is used to make belts, ropes and other materials / products, while out of the trunk bigger wooden products are made,including furniture. He produced a handbag and a basket out of the fronds of the tree. The brooms used by the Fijians are made out of the spine of the leaves on the fronds. A very interesting and talented young man!


























After Happy Hour we enjoyed a beautiful sunset and another feast of Reef Fish in the restaurant  overlooking the pool and gardens - just perfect! Oh, and more music!







An early night tonight because it is out onto the golf course at 7.30 in the morning! 
Fijian golfer Vijay Singh practiced a lot on this course on his way to fame! 

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