Steve Slattery returned February 19th after taking a group of Bluewater travelers to Fiji for scuba diving and to enjoy the beauty of this Southwest Pacific paradise and the Lalati Resort in Beqa, Fiji.
Known for the aquarium-like diving, the beautiful soft corals and the unparalleled colors and varieties of fish, Fiji lived up to all their highest expectations.
For many it was their first experience seeing the exotic clown triggerfish, blue ribbon eels, striped angelfish, guinea fowl puffer, coral hawkfish and the cutest clown anemone fish.
In addition to the incredible diving the group was treated to a beautiful resort with spacious and comfortable villas, delicious culinary delights prepared by Iron Chef Trained Salome’, and the top notch resort spa and staff.
When not diving, the group explored other parts of Fiji, visiting a local boarding school where they were entertained by thirty or so kids representing several villages, with song and dance. Meki, a local minister led them on a hike to a waterfall and the Village of Beqa where they purchased local handmade crafts.
The culmination of their visit was getting to visit the Lalati Village where they were led on a tour by the village leaders, then taken to the Chief who welcomed them with a traditional kava ceremony. Kava, a pepper-like root is dried, crushed and mixed with water similar to a tea, then served in a half-coconut bowl, to be consumed in one shot after the requisite clapping and chanting.
After the ceremony, Josaia, their boat captain and the future village chief, explained that the Bluewater group had been blessed by the village and now were officially members of the village. Josaia told them the village had been without power for approximately nine months since their generator had broken down and they had been unable to raise the money for repairs. He asked if the group might like to make a donation to the village towards their generator fund. Little discussion was needed before there was a unanimous decision that the group would donate the necessary $2,750.00 needed to make the repairs to the generator. It was a touching a proud moment that our travelers, who recognized how fortunate they are to have so much compared to the people of Lalati Village, were able to make such a generous offering and help such a deserving people.
The Bluewater group consisted of both experienced travelers and divers as well as some brand new to the Scuba experience. But all seemed to agree that it was probably one of the absolutely best trips any of yet experienced in both the land based and diving adventures and the incredible cultural experience.
Next time you are in the shop, get Steve to show off some of his photos, but remember, he gets so excited talking about his trip you should plan on staying a while.
Known for the aquarium-like diving, the beautiful soft corals and the unparalleled colors and varieties of fish, Fiji lived up to all their highest expectations.
For many it was their first experience seeing the exotic clown triggerfish, blue ribbon eels, striped angelfish, guinea fowl puffer, coral hawkfish and the cutest clown anemone fish.
In addition to the incredible diving the group was treated to a beautiful resort with spacious and comfortable villas, delicious culinary delights prepared by Iron Chef Trained Salome’, and the top notch resort spa and staff.
When not diving, the group explored other parts of Fiji, visiting a local boarding school where they were entertained by thirty or so kids representing several villages, with song and dance. Meki, a local minister led them on a hike to a waterfall and the Village of Beqa where they purchased local handmade crafts.
The culmination of their visit was getting to visit the Lalati Village where they were led on a tour by the village leaders, then taken to the Chief who welcomed them with a traditional kava ceremony. Kava, a pepper-like root is dried, crushed and mixed with water similar to a tea, then served in a half-coconut bowl, to be consumed in one shot after the requisite clapping and chanting.
After the ceremony, Josaia, their boat captain and the future village chief, explained that the Bluewater group had been blessed by the village and now were officially members of the village. Josaia told them the village had been without power for approximately nine months since their generator had broken down and they had been unable to raise the money for repairs. He asked if the group might like to make a donation to the village towards their generator fund. Little discussion was needed before there was a unanimous decision that the group would donate the necessary $2,750.00 needed to make the repairs to the generator. It was a touching a proud moment that our travelers, who recognized how fortunate they are to have so much compared to the people of Lalati Village, were able to make such a generous offering and help such a deserving people.
The Bluewater group consisted of both experienced travelers and divers as well as some brand new to the Scuba experience. But all seemed to agree that it was probably one of the absolutely best trips any of yet experienced in both the land based and diving adventures and the incredible cultural experience.
Next time you are in the shop, get Steve to show off some of his photos, but remember, he gets so excited talking about his trip you should plan on staying a while.
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