We started our excursion weekend at Garden Island Resort. Garden Island was a relaxing two days with fun experiences. We were grateful to connect with our families, take a warm shower, and eat some familiar food. No one spoke during lunch because they were inhaling every flavor of the chicken burger. After our meal, we got ourselves ready to go to a natural water slide, made from the water running over rocks for years and years. Our sense of balance was tested as we crossed the rapids and found our footing in the water to reach the top. We slowly ascended til we found a slide and pool that could catch our fall. While the water initially sent a cold shiver up our bodies, it was quite the refreshing dip. We walked back at sunset from the slide and had some downtime before dinner. With Fijian music coming from an acoustic guitar in the background and delicious food in front of us, it was a pleasant evening for rest and relaxation.
The following day we drove up an hour and a half to the Lavena, where we hiked what is known as the Coastal Walk. Andrew told us that it would be an hour and a half of sand, rapids, and Fijian lush jungle before we would arrive to a huge waterfall. It was a long walk but it was worth it. At one point we had to grab a rope that spanned a river outlet to the ocean. We traced each other’s steps over every rock in waist deep water to find the best foothold. If one person lost their balance, everyone would tug on the rope to stay out of the water. It was very exhilarating! It was impressive to see how our guide, a man born and raised in Lavena, walked through the river with no need for the rope all the while helping us cross over.
About an hour into our hike we had our pack lunches from Garden Island at a small rest area. We satisfied our cravings for French fries and chicken burgers. The last30 minutes were slippery and rocky, having us take every step so cautiously. When we arrived at the river, the water was steady. As we moved closer to the waterfall, we could feel the current from the waterfall pushing against us. We swam and swam until we were able to float back down with the current of the river. We trucked out of the park before sunset. At the end, Dani surprised us all with chocolate chip cookies! Coming back from Lavena, we stopped at Garden Island to eat another American treat: PIZZA. While it was not the pizza from home, it was still so good to be reminded of the combination of bread, cheese, tomato sauce, and other assorted toppings. We drove back to Navakawau that night, playing car games and drifting in and out of sleep.
Sunday was another day of rest in Navakawau. Our initial anxieties of coming to Navakawau had diminished upon waking up for the next round of village time. We woke up to a later breakfast (30 minutes later than usual) before we adventured out to the Fingerprints, a special beach with supposedly ancient handprints. Waga (pronounced Wan-ga) told us that Legend has it that the handprints high on the wall were imprinted many years ago, before Navakawau was founded. At the beach where the fingerprints are, a giant warrior was washing his weapons from battle in the hills. The blood from battle was flowing into the ocean and as he stood up from washing his weapons, higher than any normal man, he put his blood covered hands onto the stone. To this day, the “blood” still has not faded away.
Aside from Fijian folklore, we had more fun at the Fingerprints. There was a cave at the beach; you had to crawl on the sand and crouch down to reach an opening. You couldn’t hear the crashing of the waves on the shore from within. It was weird to be separated from the palm trees and white sand beaches, even just for a moment. We made our way to another beach where we could walk around before the break on the reef. The water was so clear, you could see the fish and coral around your feet. Gaby said that it will be so hard to go back to the beaches at home knowing there are no crystal clear waters. The sun was beaming down on us; it felt so refreshing to walk around in the cool Pacific. Hopefully we will come back one more time to the shores so we can go swimming.
When we got back to the village, the kids of the village were definitely excited to see us; they met us at our houses up at the school to play on our porches. We couldn’t be too rowdy because they were supposed to be relaxing as well. With another day down in the books, we braced ourselves to jump back into our community service project. We still have a long way to go and now people will break off to do their independent projects.
— Community Service Fijiiii
