Farewell from Fiji!
July 10, 2024
We began our surfing section early with the sunrise for our first day! As we threw on our rash guards and reef shoes, we admired the sunrise around us. After having a short surfing lesson on the beach, we hit the waves! Jake and Marissa were quick to catch some great waves using their prior experience. After enjoying an amazing lunch together, we spent the afternoon playing cards and hanging out at the coffee shop. Emma Grace and Lilly were big fans of their cookies, and the rest of the group followed their lead. We enjoyed the slow afternoon and spent it hanging out together as our time is coming to a close.
The next morning brought yet another early surfing session! We used our experience from the day before to carry us through this session. We were catching huge waves left and right! As more rain rolled in, we huddled in the cafe and told stories from home and enjoyed banana bread, a group favorite. We have become so close over these two weeks getting to know each other, it is going to be so hard saying goodbye!
Our last full day together included a special fishing trip! We hopped on to the boats and headed out for the open ocean. After trolling for about an hour, we jumped off the boat to explore the sea and coral reefs. Dunning and Emily found so many bright blue starfish. We were in awe of them! Alexis, Caddie, Will, and Grant explored a small stream within a jungle where they heard the dozens of parrots that surrounded them. We boarded the boats and headed back to home, continuing to fish as we headed that way. It’s a good thing we did – Wade and Gigi both reeled in two huge mackerel! Everyone was so excited and cheered them on the whole ride back. We even were treated by the chefs who cooked the fish for us. It was delicious and a great way to end our time here.
We slept in late for our final morning, wanting to rest up before the travel day ahead. As we fueled up for our trip back to Nadi, we recalled some of our favorite memories from the past two weeks. We finished packing up our things and loaded on the bus. Along the drive we admired the crystal clear water and were feeling sentimental as our time together comes to a close. Once settled at the hotel, we dropped our bags and headed out for our banquet! This gives us one final opportunity to share a meal together and laugh and smile over the memories we have made. We made our way to the Nadi Airport where we said our final goodbyes. The quote, “don’t cry because it’s over, but smile because it happened” rings so true on this day. We couldn’t love these kids more and we are so sad that our time together has come to a close. They are a special group and we have been so lucky to have had shared this experience with them!
Vinaka vakalevu,
Lucy + Charlie
Bula again from Fiji!
July 6, 2024
The second section of our trip revolves around cultural immersion. We spent this day traveling from our hostel, which we have called home for the past week, to a village in the highlands of Fiji. We were able to stop in “Rugby Town” and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local spot. As we continued our journey up, we yelled “Bula” at every person we saw. Dunning, Gigi, and Alexis made sure they said hi to everyone, and they had the biggest smiles across their faces the whole ride. Once we arrived at the village, we were welcomed by the Chief and participated in a traditional kava ceremony. By doing this, we are deemed family by the village and can consider it our home. We were given a tour of the village and then enjoyed playing with many of the children who live there. Emma Grace became great friends with one young Fijian child, and by the end of the night, they were inseparable! We tossed the rugby ball, played silly games, and smiled as we enjoyed time with our new friends. To end off the night, we sat down for a home-cooked meal prepared in a traditional way called lovu. The group raved about how good it was, and we ended the night with a thoughtful Moonup before heading to bed.
The sun rose early today, and we were up with it! We spent our morning collecting firewood and learning about many of the plants in the area. Fijians consider nature its pharmacy and grocery store, so we were shown all of the resources available. Our guide, Simeli, pointed out different herbs that are used as medications, turmeric that was lying all around us, and how to tie a bundle using certain plant stems as ropes! We were wowed by his knowledge and grateful that we could learn from him. After enjoying lunch together, we went down to the river to cool off. The boys played an intense rugby match in the water. Jake and Will proved to be the secret weapons for their teams. When the rain came in, that did not stop us! We dried off and went back up to play games together such as Mafia and Psychiatrist. We laughed for hours as we played, and Grant proved unstoppable as the psychiatrist. As the rain lightened up and the village children were getting out of school, we went back down to the river to play in a volleyball tournament on the banks! Marissa helped lead Team USA to the win, and we all enjoyed this afternoon of competition and fun.
Happy Fourth of July! We woke up by singing the National Anthem and immediately threw on our American gear. The sweet ladies of the village surprised us with cake that was covered in red, white, and blue icing! It was such a treat. We put on face tattoos, colored zinc, and American flag bandanas to show our patriotism while we kayaked down the river. It was nothing but smiles and positivity as we paddled down the Sigatoka River, listening to a USA playlist. Wade and Emily led the crew down the river as they showed off their kayaking skills. We stopped to enjoy lunch on the banks of the river, where we sat down to some fresh-caught fish cooked over a fire. Our meal was abounding in color with watermelon, papaya, and pineapple, along with local Fijian dishes. We hopped back in our boats and continued our journey down the river until we finally reached our new home for the night. At this new village, we sat down for another kava ceremony and officially became part of the village. We played rugby with many of the people from the village and enjoyed getting to know them. It was the best end to the Fourth of July, and we were thankful to share this day together miles and miles away from home.
On our last day in the village, we woke up to a delicious breakfast of donuts, tea, and coffee! We hopped in our kayaks and paddled down the river until we were picked up in safari trucks. The trucks took us to Fiji’s largest cave, which was once inhabited by local tribes! We were in awe of the size and magnitude of it and amazed by the history. We had a BBQ picnic lunch and recounted our favorite moments from the day. That afternoon, we rode back to our hostel and enjoyed some rest after an eventful couple of days.
We woke up before the sun today to hit the road for whitewater rafting! On our journey there, we enjoyed some banana bread and orange juice as the sun was rising around us. When we got to the river, we grabbed our life jackets, helmets, and paddles. We then hiked through the jungle to our boats. Because of the rain the night before, the rapids were better than ever! We flew down the river and through the rapids, and everyone had a blast. Our growling stomachs were soothed by the yummy sandwiches and fruit that we enjoyed on the side of the river, and soon enough we were back at it! The rapids began to subside, but that is when the madness ensued. We were throwing each other off every raft, and no one was safe from the water. Lilly was a pro at throwing people off, and Caddie was the last one to stay on her raft. It was such a fun day, and we enjoyed every minute of it! As we near our last section of the trip, we are able to see the bond these kids have formed together. They are a great group of kids, and we love spending time with them!
Below, we wanted to say “thank you” to everyone who made this trip possible.
Vinaka vakalevu,
Lucy + Charlie
Wade – Thank y’all so much for sending me here this has been a great experience and I can’t wait to tell y’all all about it
Jake – Thank you so much mom and dad for sending me on this trip! I’ve gotten to meet so many new people and have so many great experiences!!
Dunning – Thank you so much for sending me on this trip Mom and Dad! This trip has been amazing and is arguably better than the last one. See y’all soon
Will – Thank you guys so much for sending me on moondance!! It’s been so much fun and exceeded all my expectations. Our group is awesome and I’m so sad to leave. Miss you guys!
Grant – Thank you guys so much for sending me on moondance. It’s been so much fun!! Miss you!
Gigi – Thank you family for sending on moondance! This trip has been the time of my life and I haven’t gotten sunburned
Alexis – I love everyone in my group and I’m having so much fun! Thank u for sending me on moondance, I don’t want to leave!
Lilly – Hey mama and dada! Thank you so much for sending me on this trip! I have never had this much fun! I never want to leave I’m having the best time ever and love my group! Miss yall!!
Marissa- Hey mom, dad, and Peyton!!! Thanks so much for sending me on this trip, I am having the best time! I miss and love you guys sooo much and excited to see you guys again!!
Emily – Hey!!! Thank yall so much for sending me on this trip! I have had the best time and made so many memories! I’m excited to see yall but sad it’s coming to an End. Love yall!!!
EG – Hey mom and dad!!! Thank you so so much for sending me on moondance!! I’m having such an amazing time in Fiji and making so many unforgettable memories!! I’m going to miss it so much!! I’m so excited to see y’all soon!!!
Caddie – Hey Mom and Dad!! Thank y’all so much for sending me on this amazing trip! Fiji is unbelievable and the memories I am making here are once in a lifetime! Can’t wait to see you!!
Bula from fantastic Fiji!
July 1, 2024
Our trip began bright and early at Nadi Airport, where we were greeted with eager and excited smiles. After exchanging hellos, we sat down for our first meal together and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast buffet before our big day. Despite our early landing, we were determined to make the most of the day ahead! We were shuttled to a nearby marina, where we boarded a catamaran and spent our first day together on the bright blue water! As we sailed, the students got to know each other and formed tight bonds. We anchored to snorkel around the colorful reefs below, spotting a variety of fish and even a unique starfish pointed out by some students! Will and Grant showed off different ways to jump off the boat, while many students played king of the hill on a floating mat. After a delicious lunch and a quick nap, we returned to our accommodation for the night. The group wasted no time jumping into the pool and sliding down the water slide until sunset — a perfect end to our first day.
The next morning, we woke early, grabbed a quick breakfast, and set off for the southern part of the island for our scuba diving section. Upon arriving at our new home for the next few days, we settled in and enjoyed a relaxed afternoon playing card games, lounging in our “eno city,” and engaging in an intense volleyball match where Caddie impressed everyone with her jump serve that no one could return! During our laid-back afternoon, Emma Grace dazzled us with her gymnastics skills, leaving everyone speechless. As another fantastic day came to a close, we eagerly anticipated our first day of scuba diving together. Over dinner, Jake kept everyone entertained with his tradition of ordering pizza, and Alexis continued to make friends with nearly everyone she met, spreading greetings wherever she went. It’s been a blast so far with this group, and we can’t wait to explore the ocean together!
Today, we enjoyed a leisurely morning with a late breakfast while the rain fell around us. We listened to music and played intense card games — Wade and Marissa even battled it out for almost 30 minutes! As the sun peeked through, our first-time scuba divers geared up for pool lessons. Their guides familiarized them with their gear and taught them the basics before practicing essential skills. Emily and Lilly, quick learners, were confident in their abilities by the end of the lesson. Meanwhile, some in the group went for a run around Fiji, enjoying the music and rain to cool off afterward. We’re excited to take our newfound skills into the open water!
Our first day of open water diving arrived with another easy morning lounging in our Eno city. Emily, Lilly, Emma Grace, Marissa, and Caddie took a walk with Charlie, while Grant and Gigi went for a run with Lucy. Later, we boarded the boat and headed out to open seas. Our scuba diving students — Wade, Jake, Emma Grace, Marissa, Emily, and Lilly — eagerly put their skills into practice, all returning to the boat with beaming smiles after acing their tasks. Dunning, Alexis, Grant, Will, and Caddie explored soft coral reefs, pointing out many amazing sights. Today also marked Gigi’s first day of advanced certification, mastering the art of orienteering with her guide. It was a thrilling start to our diving adventures, leaving us eager for more!
We rose early the next morning for another amazing day of scuba diving. Gigi and Charlie explored a nearby shipwreck, while certified divers marveled at a lionfish sighting! Our novice divers completed all necessary requirements and are now PADI Open Water certified — a proud achievement for all their hard work. After a celebratory lunch, we relaxed with riddles, where Dunning’s knack for solving them first brought laughter and joy to the group. As we look forward to our last day of diving, we’re filled with both excitement and a touch of sadness.
Energy and anticipation were high as we prepared for our final day of scuba diving. Our guides had a special treat in store: a shark dive! Anchoring at “The Bistro” dive site, we encountered roughly 50 sharks, including bull sharks, nurse sharks, white tip sharks, reef sharks, lemon sickle sharks, and silver tip sharks swimming all around us. Kneeling behind a coral barrier, we gazed in awe as our guides baited the sharks, offering a rare and thrilling sight. Grant even declared it the coolest experience ever, a sentiment shared by all. As we safely returned to our accommodation, we showered and enjoyed a final meal before the next leg of our journey.
It’s been an amazing start to our trip with these incredible kids! We wanted to give them a chance to say hello, so here are some shout-outs from your kids to you!
Vinaka vakalevu,
Lucy + Charlie
Will – hey guys I’m having such fun and dove with sharks! It was very cool and I miss you lots.
Alexis – hey guys! I’m having so much fun, I am thinking about all u guys, hi mom, dad, grace, grandma and grandpa and all my friends. I can’t wait to tell u guys about my trip it is a blast. 9 more days left
Dunning – hey fam I’m having such an awesome time with my group. It’s so awesome and like it better than last year already. Love y’all and I’ll see y’all soon!
Marissa – Hey mom, dad, and Peyton!! I’m having so much fun in Fiji and I’m so excited to see you guys again soon! Diving was sooo cool and I’m excited for the rest of the trip! Love and miss you guys so much!
Gigi – Dear loved ones, I am having so so much fun in Fiji! Even though it’s apparently winter here. I love my group so much and we just went on our shark dive with bull sharks! I miss y’all so much lovey y’all
Jake – Hey mom and dad miss y’all so much!! We’ve been scuba diving for the last few days and we swam with sharks. Thinking about y’all miss you!!
Emma Grace – Hi mom and dad!!! I’m having the best time in Fiji and I love my group!! The shark dive was sooo cool!! I love and miss y’all and can’t wait to tell you all about it!!!
Grant – hey mom I miss you, can’t wait to show you some pictures! The diving was great! Can’t wait to see you
Lilly – hey mom and dad and Bo! BULA I miss yall so much! I have been having the best time! My group is awesome! We went scuba diving with sharks it was crazy!Can’t wait to see y’all! Love y’all!
Emily – Hi!!! I’m having so much fun and love my group! Can’t wait to see y’all!!
Wade – What’s up I’ve been having a lot of fun this week. I had a lot of fun scuba diving can’t wait to see y’all.
Caddie – Bula familia! I’m having the best time in Fiji! I love my group so much and I can’t wait to see y’all! Tell Libby I love her!!!
Safe Arrival in Nadi!
June 26, 2024
Hello Fiji Families!
All students have landed safely and the trip is off to a great start! We can’t wait to share more updates from their adventure! Please remember our leaders and students will be unplugged during their trips, but we will be posting trip updates throughout the next week! This will allow you to follow along with the trip. You can also follow us on Instagram, @moondanceadventures, to see more of what we are up to!
-Moondance HQ
