Cracks and Cyclones: Meeting Fiji for the First Time
FIJI
It sounded paradisical. A few weeks of island hopping in the South Pacific with a ‘go-with-the-flow’ kind of set up was the initial plan. Yet most blogs and reviews forewarn of the complexities and high currency it takes to traverse the smatterings of territories, independent states, associated states, dependent states and countries down under.
Planning a multi country trip like this four days before departure seemed slightly sans sanity, yet after some serious Tetris style strategy and brushing up on some geography of Oceania, landing on a short list and a few routing options for onward flights, I was locked in.
I’m reminded of the time we did Kyrgyzstan, kinda like this. Air travel booked and a (very outdated) copy of the Lonely Planet in hand, we jigsawed the travel tour of some of the Stans in real time. How much has changed now with connectivity, online opportunities to book just on the brink of execution and reviewers who help us avoid pitfalls or equip us with the intel needed for specific scenarios. Having said that, mapping out your time to the Pacific Islands a priori is most highly recommended. Flights can be erratic and irregular, slight amendments can save or cost you a lot and much of the fun is to be had outside the main islands themselves, which often requires some fancy footwork, know how, cooperative weather and as always, a bit of flex.
Regardless, I was Fiji bound! To me, that somehow sounded like the plane would land on a picturesque white sand beach with turquoise warm water, yet, of course, I arrived to cloudy skies and rain.
Local celebrations meant that many sites and shops were closed. Then came the cyclone. Yup, a level two clockwise rotation of air mass around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure was brewing (translation: my outbound flight for Vanuatu was cancelled for days). With the beach hotel now overbooked with outer island guests making a dash for the main island of Viti Levu, I was back at the logistics table. Indeed this was also a good reminder for us to be prepared for any/all types of emergencies.
Fireworks, palm trees, fresh papaya and a nearby beach lifted my mood somewhat.
Though the cloud cover and incoming intermittent and incessant rain made the weather in my head also forecast grey times. What are the storm conditions that (temporarily) cover up our inner light I wondered.
Like the clouds that hide away the sun, I reflected on transient conditions, circumstances and human transactions that I allow to overshadow and sometimes overstay even after their lessons are delivered. Just as the sun shines bright but can be hidden behind clouds, so too is our nature. And in these moments, what part of ourselves do we portray on display, is this where facades are born I mused. If so, is there a reflection of truth in them too? I watch the cloud cover thicken, realizing that I too am composed of similar elements.
The water at my feet in Wailoaloa was unfortunately murky, but a current of warmth hugged my ankles.
Three days passed before I put my feet in the sand - a surefire sign that something was awry. I know the tiny cracks in my clay pot have been (gently + not so gently) forewarning of the pressure cooker life ‘norm’.
In fairness, the 20 hour time difference and the carrot-style ‘soon, you can check in, very soon’, along with the murmurings of the incoming cyclone wasn’t helping either.
In this moment Nature is nudging me. A breeze caresses my neck and as I stop to feel that sensation on my skin, I see a fluttering: a teeny tiny indigo butterfly. With only ‘refueling’ as my mission, I leave my path and follow the creature who flirts here and there as she flies on.
What does it mean to follow and why do we do it, is it out of curiosity, because we’re lost or scared I wondered. Or could it be because we need to, are commanded to or are simply open to a different path, perhaps even if it isn’t one chosen by us, but dictated by dedication, adventure, boredom or intuition?
She flies high above and quickly blends in as a disappearing speck in the sky. Some time later, I too carry on, hopeful for more clarity ahead. Afterall, it’s a New Year!
May we see and honour our little cracks so we may take some time to mend them, while we (easily) can
Honest and vulnerable! Thank you for inspiring me with your courage and resilience