August 2, 2024
Will try # ?? truly be our sail date!?!
We have had so many roadblocks along the way to starting this adventure! So many companies have failed before us too! I have to applaud the diligence of our ownership team at Villa Vie Residences! Today, we finally got the news that we are welcome onboard the ODYSSEY this Saturday afternoon! Embarkation is officially starting! WOO HOO!! Yesterday we heard, Friday wasn't going to work, so I moved my flight back to Saturday Night. I am not moving it up to Friday, to join the masses. Sunday will be much calmer, and I want to see proof Saturday from the others before I board that Aer Lingus Flight!
STAY TUNED, WILL THAT BULLSEYE FINALLY READ "SHIP EMBARKATION 8/4/24 !"
Today we went to see the coastal Naidiri Village that has recently won the Top Prize in global restoration, for their ocean reef project. The reef restoration was borne out of necessity to solve their dwindling food/ main protein source for the village, of fish. It was started by 2 of the villages rugby players and today is run by the local teenagers (mostly boys) in the village. It was great seeing how empowered and proud they were of their amazing efforts.
The port agent offered several trips to areas around Lautoka . We chose the trip to Serenity Island Resort which included van and boat transfers and lunch. It was a really nice day enjoying the sun, reef, pool, turtles and amenities!
I organized a group tour for a fun day experience. We had a great day despite the rain that decided to join in. We started with a 45 minute van ride out through the city, into the countryside. Then we got in long boats and went up river to a waterfall, some swam or cheered on the guides to cliff dive. Then back in the boats to visit Sabata Village where 50 family members live as a community existing totally off the land, along the river. Next was a quick boat ride to our BBQ lunch spot. After lunch we got to tube down the river, through light rapids, for just about an hour. We ganged our tubes together with the guide - we had a chain of 14 in my group and the guides totally blew us away singing hymns for a good chunk of the journey. It was truly moving in that place with the rain drizzling and all of us linked together. Loved it!