Land ahoy!

After a full day relaxing yesterday, we decided to do something a little more adventurous today. We booked up for a full day Island boat trip, which called for an early start. We got up at six o’clock in the morning and headed to the Marina to get our boat along with about twenty others.

The boat took us to Malamala Island, which is a very small, uninhabited island about a forty minute boat ride from shore. The island was absolutely beautiful, with pure white sand beaches, littered with shells and corals. The water was clear green in colour and palm trees and small wooden huts inland.

Our package was all inclusive, which meant all food, activities and drink on the island was free. Bula, bula!! (Just for your info, this is a word you hear A LOT in Fiji – it means hello or how are you, or just about anything really!) First up once on the island was snorkelling – all the gear was provided and our guides took us pretty far out into the surrounding water.

When looking at the water from on board our boat it looks very nice, but nothing will prepare you for what you see under water. The place was teeming with coloured corals, starfish and hundreds of different tropical fish. We’d never seen anything quite like it. I wish I had an underwater camera, but you’ll just have to watch some David Attenborough for reference!

Next up was some fishing in a glass bottomed boat. Unfortunately we didn’t catch anything, but a couple of other people got some pretty impressive fish, especially considering we were only using plastic reels and fishing line.

Back ashore it was time for the traditional Cava ceremony, performed by the local Fijian Chieftain. Cava, to our disappointment is not alcoholic, although it does apparently get you pretty high due to the number of drugs that find their way into it. We all had a taste of this special concoction, which tastes absolutely rank!! It is basically made from fresh water, some plants and mud – tasting a bit like play dough or clay. Mmmmmmm!

Leaving the harbour in the morning

It's a lovely morning for some sailin, Aaaarrrrrrr!

On board with Fran, Wee Jamesey, Danny, Billy, Wullie, Tam and Harry Haribo

Hugh Hefner on board

"I'm de king of de world soin I am"

Looks just like home

Welcome to Paradise

Hello lads

The water was made of lemonade

Sun, sand and blue beach towels

Walking into the sun

Cheese it up Gez

Hugh Hefner... again

Beautiful

Aussi tres beau

Engelbert Humperdinck

Danny showing them how it's done

And then making a complete arse of it

Cava anyone? No alcohol but lots of drugs!

Fishing with Zacherey Mantooth

Ouch!

Awwww

The island was great, so we were pretty burned out when we got back to the hostel. Time for an early night I hear you say… Eh… maybe not!

We soon met up with the Irish lads again and the drinking games commenced! The ‘Hour of Power’ soon started, which basically involves drinking a shot of beer every minute, for an hour! It’s not the alcohol that gets you, but the gas content of the beer. Gez was our first drop out after 30 minutes, Danny managed to break the hour and go for the ‘Centurion’ (100 minutes) with the Shad doing us all proud by making the ‘Double hour of power’ (120 minutes). Needless to say we were all a little worse for wear after this, although the Irish boys are good at hiding it. Respect! Anyone for a Soda water?

Time for the real fun to begin!

Robin the boy wonder regretted not wearing sun cream

The aftermath - totally gubbed!