Cottage life

Vanua Levu is Fiji's second largest island, a little slower, a little quieter, and what we imagine to be more indicative of the real Fiji.

We are met at the airport (landing strip) by Hussein who is our taxi driver and cottage caretaker. He is also a real estate agent, a tour guide, a fisherman, and boat captain. As I said, Fijians are very entrepreneurial!
Although, when you see how people here live, how little they have compared to us North Americans, you understand why they cover all the bases when it comes to money making opportunities.

Hussein drives us into Savusavu for bread and groceries before taking us to the cottage we've rented just outside of town. The cottage, like most buildings around here, is situated on a steep hill overlooking the bay and there is some question as to whether Hussein's Toyota hatchback will even make it up the driveway.




But it does. He drops us off, shows us around and then arranges for his daughter Zakia to come the next day and cook dinner for us. Jenn is very pumped for this as she wants to participate in the whole process and learn how to cook a few Indo-Fijian dishes.

Hussein bids us good luck (whaaa????) and drives off, promising to deliver Zakia the next afternoon around 2 pm.

We unpack and explore the cottage. There is a long screened in veranda out front that looks out across the bay, furnished with an eating table, lounge chairs, hammocks and even a bed! It is so self contained that we could live out here... as long as we learn how to make and use a lovo!!








Inside is the kitchen, bathroom, another sitting room and a bedroom. The bed is surrounded by mozzie netting - perfect for a buzz-free nights sleep. Charming!












I am uncertain if I will be able to fall asleep in this new place but I find I slip off easily listening to the light rain, the roosters, and the nearby neighbours chatting convivially on their veranda.... oh, and the snickering gecko which Jenn is convinced is stalking us in the cottage.