Sunday, January 16, 2011

Greetings from the future!

Today in Fiji has been far more relaxing than I anticipated.  Once I got on the double decker jet in LA and found my seat next to 3 very cool Aussies, I knew I was in for a treat.  Dan, Amy, and Tara are 3 Aussies that are my age, and they're returning home to Brisbane after spending 6 weeks in the US and Mexico.  We talked on the flight as long as we could before we all crashed. 

Once we arrived in Fiji, we made it through customs and decided to spend the day together before our flight to Brisbane this evening.  We checked into the Trans International hotel right near the Nadi airport and went for a swim at 6am.  Yep, it was still dark outside, but we needed to cool off.  The moment I stepped foot outside the airport, my glasses fogged up.  I went to take a photo of the jet we were on for 11 hrs, and my camera lens fogged up.  I'm on a tropical island for sure.  The humidity is unlike anything I've ever felt before, and I like it!  Needless to say I changed out of my jeans and sneakers as soon as I could.

The locals are so nice saying "Bula!" (welcome) everywhere.  There was even a group of men playing instruments and singing island-like music to us when we walked off of our plane at 4am.  It was incredibly welcoming!  My  3 new Aussie friends and I spent the day relaxing by the hotel pool, and we enjoyed a nice buffet lunch which included a fish stir fry and the most amazing freshly squeezed fruit juice I've ever tasted.  One of the hotel employees even took me around to show me the best views from the various vantage points in the hotel.  The mountains topped with clouds in the distance are, again, unlike anything I've ever seen before.  I could get used to this.

I enjoyed a Fiji Premium beer by the pool with a guy named Eric who's also on his way to Brisbane.  He's going there from LA to reunite with his ex-wife after 31 years.  The last time he was in Brisbane with her was the last time it was flooded like it is today.  It was a really charming story until I found out he grows weed outside of LA for a living.  It's amazing who you can find when you travel, isn't it?  I also talked to a guy at LAX who's my age from Boston, and he's flying to New Zealand for 3 months to basically be a nomad.  He had his tent in hand and is going on a true adventure alone.    

I'm about to get cleaned up and head back to the airport for my flight into Australia with my new Aussie friends.  I'm so excited to see Chris again after 2 years and also meet his girlfriend, Allison, for the first time!  Fingers crossed and lots of prayers that we connect fairly easily at the Brisbane airport. 

4 comments:

  1. Jenny - It sounds like you are already having an incredible adventure. Be safe and I'll be praying for you! Tell Chris I said hi! LIVE IT UP! :) Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Please do not use the phrase "Before we all crashed" When chatting about being on a plane. Thank you Josh. Sounds like a amazing trip!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Did you have any problems when flying over The Island, aka Lost?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Did you see future Jenny when you crossed through the rift in the space-time continuum?

    ReplyDelete