5: Lapping up last island fun and relocating
Living their best island life
It was our last day on Kuata AND it was @Anthony's birthday. Our whole reason for being here. So Happy Big Zero Birthday, @Anth.
The date did not go unnoticed for the Birthday boy. The extended island family serenaded him at breakfast with the Birthday song and a traditional song sending blessings and prayers for a happy future. And, there was a CAKE and candles (those funny ones that keep reigniting - much to the delight of @Katarina!) Nothing like chocolate cake for breakfast.
A good system here where a small payment secures a late checkout if the room is available. Our oversized room became the central hub for the day and all luggage was packed and brought our way before the day's beach activities began.
@Mindy and @Ian secured a "banana boat" (a kayak) for the day and parked it outside the bure. @Katarina was in seventh heaven. The pictures look like she was out in the ocean without a life jacket, but the reality was she was in ankle and calf deep water, living her best Fiji life, calling "more" to her four supervising adults as they towed her along in the shallows.
Ending this activity was a little tricky - didn't meet with her approval, but we subbed in the "pink boat" so that the young ones could beat the receding tide and get in one more snorkel.
Lots to see and enjoy underwater but unhappy to report that the coral won today. The water was rushing out quickly, the coral was exposed and @Mindy and @Ian were outside the chanel marker. @Mindy grazed the surface of the coral and sustained scratches to her leg and some deeper painful cuts to the rib area that required a visit to the first aid centre. Lots of blood, plenty of oozing and uncomfortable when in contact with clothes. Slowed her down for a bit and she has started a course of antibiotics. Fingers, toes and eyes crossed there is no infection.
I'm sort of surprised we haven't had more injuries. @Bekah continues to entertain with her 0/10 dismounts for elegance from the hammocks - but does score 10/10 for entertainment value.
The hungry ones hit the lunch table and the "no appetite" group members joined them a little later and did find room for more cake!
A bit more water and some massage relaxation (ouch that rib area for @Mindy was inconvenient) and sadly as 3.30 rolled around it was time for island farewells. Seemed everyone wanted fist pumps with the dancing and twirling @Katarina as she lapped up her last island music serenade - the band knows her sign for "more" and willingly oblige with another tune - looks like we are not the only ones she has wrapped around her little finger. Jumped back in the tender boat (in my case, it's more of an assisted clambour) for a much calmer ride back to the catamaran for the journey back to Denarau.
The catamaran was extremely crowded - our island was almost the last stop on the schedule of passenger pick-up. In our original booking we had been travelling back in the morning but the world fuel shortages have impacted the ferry service here (we had to pay a little more as a fuel surcharge when we arrived) meant only one service a day was running and this boat was packed on all three levels. We couldn't secure seating for the whole group inside and opted to try outside - but the afternoon sun was packing a punch for the baby. @Mindy and @Ian did locate some possibilities inside and approached people in two rows to remove their bags from the seats and then were able to move inside.
@Katarina wasn't the only entertainment here with her laughter and babbling chatter. She was a delight!
Everyone got to witness a "yobbo" Australian at his worst. There were four probably 20 something young French people in front of him - chatting and laughing - definitely not even as loud as @Katarina. But somehow their "French joy" irked him and set him off on a verbal rant - abusive, foul mouthed, mocking and aggressive. When one of the men turned to look at him and say "pardon" the obnoxious yobbo attempted to backhand the young guy across the face - thank goodness it was deflected. That elicited a collective gasp and prompted the neighbouring passengers to jump up to intervene. By this time, the boat security personnel had arrived and the group of four opted to remove themselves and relocate to a different area. Yobbo put on his noise cancelling headsets and showed no shame or remorse. His wife/partner had her eyes glued forward - no reaction or interaction. Makes you wonder what he is like in private if this were his performance in public! To be honest, we were expecting the police to be waiting for him on shore - but absolutely nothing. He lives to ruin someone else's day in the future.
With sunset fast approaching, we grabbed our luggage and headed for the shuttle bus. Another "highlight" for @Katarina who didn't want to get off! She does love a bit of movement with a view.
We have four days at the Sheraton Golf Resort in our three bedroom villa. We couldn't see much of the surrounds in the evening darkness, but the villa itself is beautiful. Three ensuited bedrooms, each with a balcony, large living area, perched above the lights of the pool and on the ocean front.
Do have to whinge about the check-in - was long and tedious. A newly installed IT system complicated the receipt of our payment and definitely stretched the limits of our patience. But, there was a golf buggy ride for @Katarina who continued to live her best life - banana boat, pink boat, tender boat, catamaran, bus and golf buggy all in a single day. Wow! Top that off with the fact that she has discovered @Ian's hair, not sure life can get any better.
The grand plans for a night out for the birthday boy were thrown out the window and we opted to eat in. Gosh, a little more of a whinge - it took an age for the food to arrive but it turned up "eventually" and was met with mixed reviews. Funnily enough, by the time it did land on the table, some appetites had completely disappeared and bedtime between crisp, clean white sheets was calling. @Mindy's wounds were looking clear - which was good news- mind you the ample application of Betadine highlights the affected area and is a challenge for those white sheets!
Bedtime was noted as 11:15! This "relaxing doing nothing" holiday still requires stamina.
Have just realised we didn't even sing the Birthday song for @Anth at dinner - hope he had a great day despite this omission.
We've taken a vote - tomorrow is pool day. Definitely not moving anywhere - we are staying local.
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