White sand, sunbleached coral, palm trees, coconuts, and jungle… for six days, this was our everyday…
Last week we decided to take a spontaneous and much needed break away to Fiji. Neither of us had ever been, and it was Laly’s first overseas travel – what a wonderful first place to mark with a stamp in her passport…
We stayed on the Coral Coast, which is the southern part of the main island of viti levu (take a look at this gorgeous illustrated map of Fiji by Kate Evans). At this time of year it was quite windy on the south coast with the seasonal trade winds, and some days there was rainfall, but the temperature was perfect for dresses and sandals.
Although resort life isn’t at all a representation of life in Fiji, I thoroughly enjoyed getting a glimpse at some of the Fijian traditions that were incorporated into daily activities, including singing, story time, weaving, dance, food and language.
Not far from the resort, the guests were invited to take a village tour of Malevu, guided by the chief who showed us some of the medicinal plants they have growing which included noni and the yaqona (kava root) plant. Along with describing some of the benefits of each plant, the chief gave us a brief history of the village and traditions. Below is the village kitchen…
At the end of the tour we were invited into the village meeting house for a kava ceremony where we each drank kava from a coconut bowl, and then danced to traditional songs.
It was such a lovely winter break, I felt my whole body and spirit finally relax. I look forward to visiting Fiji again and having the energy to explore some of the islands and surrounding waters.
xx
Insight:
Since we had limited internet access, I took a break from email and social media and I cannot tell you how much better I feel for it. I have more clarity of thought, and I feel my sense of freedom and creativity coming back. I have kept it up since we’ve been back, and I’d like to maintain a better balance that works for me – to bring blogging back as my first port stop, and then letting people know about the blog post via social media. At this stage I have decided not to engage in conversation as much on social media, and would instead like to encourage communication and community through this space, where I can write freely and share images without space limitations, as well as include links to other artists and blogs and websites as these are aspects of sharing online that I have missed. Let’s see how it goes…
We miss you Pia!
xoxo
August 13th, 2015 | #
Beautiful pictures! I’m from Fiji so your post brought back lovely memories from my trip there last December.
August 13th, 2015 | #
Lovely photos!
I’m so glad you were able to get away. Alan and I took a trip to the south of France soon after my father died and it was so exactly what I needed to soothe my soul. xo
August 13th, 2015 | #
It’s funny Pia I’m really struggling with the whole social media side of things at the moment too. Glad you took some time out. Look after you and yours x
August 14th, 2015 | #
My first overseas trip was to Fiji too, at the age of Eleven. We arrived late at night and I will never forget my first glimpse of foreign soil the next morning when we pulled open the drapes or the morning singing of the locals. I promised myself then that I would always be a traveller, k x
p.s. you came to mind yesterday while I was weaving so it’s really lovely to be sending you a thought today.
August 15th, 2015 | #
It looks and sounds amazing – I’ve never been but always wanted to. I find myself checking in with blogs less often but trying to converse more when I do (if that makes any sense!) I think lots of people have kind of turned a corner with social media (at least, the people I’ve been talking to lately) where we are recognising that it can definitely be a creative tool, but it can also zap that creativity if you let it. I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ll be sharing. x
August 15th, 2015 | #
Dear Pia, I am so glad that you and your family had a beautifully relaxing Fiji getaway and that photo of little Laly is adorable. I had a similar break from social media because of illness earlier this year and now I am just blogging. I feel so much better for it…the intensity of other social media had been just too much.
August 16th, 2015 | #
Lovely, Pia! So glad you had a break. Looks like the perfect place to take a step back…xoxox
August 23rd, 2015 | #