Packing up Fiji...

Description of Fiji pictures: Pic 1 is Smugglers Cove (where we stayed while in Fiji). Pic 2 is us having dinner at the resort. Pic 3 is Gil with his snorkeling gear while on our day trip to South Sea Island (SSI). Pic 4 is SSI as we approach by boat. Pic 5 is Gil playing beach volleyball with the staff and other tourists. Pic 6 a typical sunrise. Pic 7 is a typical sunset. Pic 8 is Amanda holding a blue starfish while at SSI.

We are heading out this evening for New Zealand (NZ). Yesterday we did a day trip on one of the small islands here - it only takes 6 minutes to walk around it. The snorkeling was amazing - we spent at least 3 hours out in the ocean looking at the coral reef and hanging out with the tropical fish! It was like swimming in a massive aquarium. I'm pretty impressed Amanda went out there as there are 6 types of sharks out there and she really doesn't seem too interested in meeting any of them close up. Wonder why?

We are going from hot humid 30 degree weather to 14 degree showery weather in NZ.

Cheers for now!!!

Plans for the next few days!

We bought a trip out to the South Sea Island. It is a tiny island, from what we hear it only takes five minutes to walk all the way around. We will be going on a catamaran, than in a semi- submersible bottomless boat, snorkeling, they have a BBQ lunch on the island and a lot of different water sports. The sand is white out there, currently the beach we are at is "black" sand similar to home but the sea water has been very warm and fun to float in. We met a great couple from England at breakfast, and spent most of the day with them. We're going to a Kava ceremony this evening, it is a traditional drink here. Should be fun to see. Pictures will not be posted till Australia as we are paying by the minute to post. We actually got more free time with the purchase of our trip, so we thought we would write.

We have arrived in Fiji!!!

Bula from Fiji!!

We left London at @ 10 AM on June 21st, left Toronto at 4 PM, then left LA at 11:30 (2:30 AM our time), and arrived 5:15 AM June 23rd in Fiji (12:15 PM June 22nd at home). It's beautiful here - hot and humid with a nice breeze. We just had breakfast and will be checking out the beaches later. We just thought we would let you know we have arrived safe and sound and will update you before we leave for New Zealand.

Cheers,
Gil & Amanda

Welcome Erin, Friends & Family!

Erin & Gilbert are both going on the work exchange to Surfer's Paridise. Rather than updating two blogs we thought it would be easier for everyone to check in here. We welcome Erin as well as her friends and family. I'm sure we will hear more about each other in the months to come.

Please continue to email Erin at her regular address.

Plans are set and we're ready to go!

We're getting it all together, our visas were approved, and we've booked our flights.

We will leave Toronto 4:00pm on June 21, stop in Los Angeles and then off to FIJI where we will spend a week adjusting to the new time. Then we are off to New Zealand on June 28th to explore the land.

We will arrive in Surfers Paridise on July 5th.
We are very excited about our appartment,
we will have to post out apartment # once we get there, but our address is...

9 Ferny Avenue
Surfers Paradise , Qld 4217

Here are pictures & the web address of our temporary home...

http://www.mantracircleoncavill.com.au/room-facilities/ Kids Play Area
Gym
Games Room
Hot Tub

Pool & Fountain

Balcony View

Bathroom with a glass wall overlooking the bedroom and the Ocean

Bedroom

Living Room

Kitchen & Living Room

Outside View

Evening view of our building (in centre)!