Day 2 – Octopus Resort – Waya Island – Fiji

Spent a beautiful, quiet Sunday enjoying the tranquility of Fiji. Sunday is the traditional day of rest in Fiji with a minimum of commercial services available.

Our room was Ocean Front Point Bure #2 at one end of the resort.

Our bathroom was equipped with an open air ceiling.

The resort features an open air bar. At 0800 AM the folks haven’t yet begun to take advantage of the outdoor facilities.

After breakfast a group of us took a 15 minute hike over the “hill” to attend church on Palm Sunday at a neighboring village.

We finally arrived at the top of the hill after climbing 212 cement steps. Now it’s down hill to the village.

Along the path we encounter a welcome sign, city limits perhaps? The village of Nalauwaki is home to 300 folks. The people raise their own livestock and vegetables. For income, most work at Octopus and neighboring resorts.

As we walk down the trail from the peak, we see the village beach in the distance.

The centerpiece of the village is a Methodist Church.

Jason, Ann, and Kat (a girl from Maine doing outreach work in the village) waiting to enter the church.

John, Jennifer, and Kaylin waiting for the service to start.

The 2.5 hour service was conducted completely in Fijian. Several children were fascinated by the blinking red light on the front of the GoPro as it recorded the service.

There was a large 50+ children’s choir that provided wonderful music.

We lasted about an hour at the service then began our hike back to Octopus.

Glen and Fran sharing affection at lunch.

Pete and Jill enjoying lunch with Ann, Jason, Fran, and Glen.

Ann and Jason exchange a kiss poolside.

After kindergarten (ages 4 & 5), the older children commute to boarding school on the main Island.

Jason is preparing to depart for the reef and take video of what can be seen.  The coral reef is only 20 yards off shore supporting superb shallow water snorkeling.

As the reef is less than 5 feet below the surface, the video and pictures are colorful without supplemental lighting.

Ann and Jason pose for a sunset picture before dinner.

Another gorgeous Fiji Sunset…

A short timelapse of a sunset from our bure’s porch…