more stuff to laugh at...

Ok, so the other day it was slightly cloudy and not has hot as normal so we thought we would use the oppotunity to visit some natural hot springs. We read in a guide book that the bus was at 1pm and so after school we had lunch and everyone met at the bus station. However when we got there the bus was no where to be seen (we later found out it was at 12.30!) So Alyssa suggested that we took a Lautoka bus which goes through the village we needed, get off in the village and get another small local bus to the hot springs. However, whilst on the bus we said 'Oh Alyssa what is the village we are looking out for?' She answered "errr dont know!?" oh dear!!!! So we knew a name, but we had no idea how big it was, whether there was a sign? we knew basically nothing!!! As we were on the bus Amie suddenly pointed out a sign that said 'welcome to sebato' (which is the village we wanted) we tugged the bell on the bus for the driver to stop, however he was just staring at us in his mirror and just wasnt stopping. He eventually did stop but we had no clue where we were!! There was another bus stop opposite where we got off and there were some locals there. They told us we needed the next stop along the main road for the hot springs!!! Damn! Yet there was one local old man who said, nah you dont need that. Just get this local bus with me and I can show you the way as its on my way home!! We thought, ok...he seemed nice enough. When we got off this local bus he walked us through this farm, down a dirt track into fields...we started to question where we would end up! He kept saying 'the hot springs are just over there!! just there!!' however we kept on walking further and further, going through sugar cane fields and past farm houses, and stray dogs and cows!! He then said 'right its just over that river and then you are there!' we thought brilliant, we were desperate to find them. There was just one problem....a large river in our way.....WITH NO BRIDGE!! We were like, "so how do you get round it??" and he said casually, 'You just go through it'............WHAT!! aahhh! I had linen trousers on so i pulled them up, took off my flip flops and we began wading through the river!! It was hilarious, as the current was really quite strong and it wasnt very stable underfoot. I suggested that I must video this moment, so Amie took my shoes and out came the video camera (you can all see it when im home!) The next moment i noticed a blue thing floating past...IT WAS MY FLIPFLOP! she accidentally dropped it, and the current was taking it down stream! NOOOOOOOOOO! Luckily it was drifting towards the river bank and Vanessa ran back and grabbed it, however I ended up walking the majority of the rest of the way bare foot anyway as my flip flops were so wet and slippery they just didnt stay on. Once we crossed the river we thought...so where are these hot springs....we were in a field of sugar cane once again...nothing but farm land around!! Ahhh! any minute now I thought, this guy is going to turn into some kind of mad man! But you will be glad to hear he didnt....however we did have one more scare in store. We followed him further until we walked into this small village where all the locals knew him...dogs were barking and little naked children came running out the huts (that they live in) to come and see the visitors (us!) Our old wise (??) man started talking to this man, and we heard the words 'money' and 'dollars', we instantly assumed these people wanted money as he had helped us find our way. It was soon revealed that the chief of their village owned the springs and they wanted to offer us a discount. He said we could pay $20 for five of us instead of $10 each when we arrive at the springs. We thought that was very nice of them, however to pay they said..."just follow us into this house" and this not so old guy encouraged us in. At this point I had to speak up..."we are fine thanks! We really dont mind paying the $10 each HONESTLY...ITS FINE!" I didnt trust this villager man as much as the old man, and really didnt want us five girls to be alone in his house..(hut!) So they pointed down to the hot springs and we finally arrived!!! I was so pleased to see a coach load of american volunteers arrive, I then knew we were in the right place.

The springs themselves were amaaaazing!! Really hot! We started in the mud pool which was a surreal experience! The pool was full of goo and as you stood in it you sunk deeper and deeper into mud, leaves and who knows what else! At first it really freaked me out as the 'goo' came up to our thighs, but you got used to it, and it was really warm!! We then had to get out and cover ourselves completely in the mud! I cannot wait to see the photos! We then gradually washed this off back in the mud pool and in two other clearer pools. All amazingly warm!!

The rest of our days have been pretty normal, lots of school, beaches...and we are BOOKING SKY DIVING FOR NEXT WEEEKKKKK!!! :) the time has gone so quickly but as much as I will definately miss fiji I am looking forward to coming home :) I am desperate for some decent fresh fruit and vegetables, and some exercise! You get neither in fiji! Trust me! (well especially if your staying with a local family).

Anyway I will update again soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx lots of love