Last month I was in Fiji again, photographing another wedding.
I am a really really lucky girl!
I was back at 'my second home', the Shangri-La Fijian Resort, to photograph a whole lot of fun at the wedding of a couple of New Zealanders (which made it even more international, kind of!).
I would love to share wedding photos with you, but my couple wants a little privacy so you will have to make do with the assurance that we got some awesome photos of them (they were very brave), and just make do with other photos from my trip.
The day before the wedding I did a little location scout around the resort, and the local village of Cuvu.
The long, tree-lined drive at The Fijian is one of my favourite spots.
From the entrance at the causeway where the guards seem to compete with each other about who will give the loudest and most exuberant "Bula!", all the way along to the reception lobby, I just love the way it looks and the way it makes me feel.
Lucky for me, my bride and groom were a bit more photogenic than my hairy assistant.
That evening we tagged along with the whole wedding crew on a village visit.
The day of the wedding, the weather was picture perfect Fijian bliss, from first thing in the morning through to it's colourful sunset, and beyond, into a warm and windless evening.
It was bookended by days of low cloud, wind, and rain, but Fiji is always beautiful and I still found plenty of things to do.
Such as finally exploring beyond the sign pointing to Tavuni Hill Fort, which I had driven past on so many occasions on my way beyond Sigatoka. The cooler weather was perfect for the 15 minute wander up the hill.
Back in the early 1800's a Tongan Cheif, Maile Latamai, who was having some hard times on the home-front, decided to hop in his boat and paddle over to Fiji. About 500 miles, so I guess things were pretty bad at home. The cannibalism didn't seem to faze him and he set up home on Tavuni Hill.
The residents of the nearby village still claim Tongan descent.
It's an interesting visit through history, and there are some spectacular views over the Sigatoka River and valley from up there too.
This is the killing stone. I had a really eerie feeling when I was near it.
Shell midden. The remnants of the seafood (mostly freshwater collected from the river way down below) that was eaten when other people were off the menu.
The following day, with little time left before I went home, I was determined to get some snorkeling in no matter what.
I went out in front of my room, and travelled with the current around the point and onto the beach. It was a fairly superhuman effort given I had gotten quite sick after the wedding, and given the weather...
Despite this, under the water was still a blissful adventure-world for me. Listening to just the scratchy tinkle of the many fish grazing on the coral and in the sand is one of the most peaceful sounds, and it really makes me smile (which often sends water rushing into my goggles and I choke a little, but it's worth it).
I love these fish. They are so curious, and a little territorial, so they will come up and give you a stare, and when you turn away they chase after you and give a little nip. Too funny.
The visibility was not good and the current too strong for me to take more photos. I decided instead to just go with the flow (boom-tish) and enjoy the music of the underwater.
I made three trips to Tomlus this time in Fiji.
All my recommending of the place seems to have worked. The only problem is now I need to remember to book - otherwise I have to join the queue outside!
So while I was waiting I had a quick walk with my camera around night-time Cuvu.
When you look at this photo, it really helps if you can hear the ear-bleeding volume of the tinny speaker system pumping out dance-pop.
Full house each night!
and this mud crab deliciousness is one of the reasons.
I think the staff are another good reason to keep coming back.
Thanks, Lusia!
Next day, we were supposed to be homeward bound, but our flight was cancelled. The airline put us up in the Sofitel, on Denarau.
An impressive foyer, and huge swimming pool, but the Sofitel (or anything on Denarau) is not a patch on the Shangri-La. Our room was tiny, the noise coming from the other rooms was significant with the balcony door open, the beach sand is grey and the swimming area is dull river water. And it's all modern, and completely charmless.
But, down the road from Denarau, I stumbled on this cool, newly opened Indian restaurant.
Best Dhal and Saag Paneer I've had.
So if you fly into Nadi around lunchtime, take a drive over there, or if you do stay at Denarau, make sure you drop in to the Bombay Lodge.
A spectacular finish to an always spectacular visit....
Though someone must have forgotten my intense fear of flying!
With my stomach in my shoes and my brain all woozy, I managed to get a few nice photos out over the islands and the surf at Cloubreak.
Sunset was just about on us, and the Fiji Pro had just wrapped up for the day.
It was pretty awesome.
Our lovely pilot, who didn't let me die in a helicopter crash.
Namotu Island. I could stay there one day. Anyone want me to photograph a wedding there??
Cloudbreak, and the tower, and if you look carefully to the upper left of the tower you can see a line of dark specks. All of the onlookers (many I imagine with heavy camera gear) trekking across the reef to board boats.
That's a long walk!
Tavarua Island.
It's heart-shaped, in case you weren't watching.
And oh that water!
Darkness towards Denarau.
Aaaaahhhhh, Fiji.
You always make me smile.
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