Fiji - THE END

Welcome to Fiji! The land of the friendliest humans ever. Why am I shocked? They are living the good life. 

We landed in Nadi, which is on the island of Viti Levu. Much like Hawaii, Fiji consists of a bunch of islands, Viti Levu being Oahu and Nadi being Honolulu. Pretty much what I am saying is it was the land of tourists. Fiji is to the Aussies what Hawaii is to us. If you stay close to Nadi, you will never really see Fiji. 

This is the real Fiji. Far removed from the all inclusive resorts and their tuesday night limbo contests. 

We headed to a smaller island Vanua Levu, which was pretty much what you would expect from Fiji, paradise. 

America's past time - Baseball. The Fijians have wheel-stick pushing as theirs. All the kids walk around pushing a stick with a wheel attached to the bottom. Go figure. 

We spent a lot of time in different villages and every time were welcomed with open arms into their homes. We ate, played music, and did something that resembled dancing. 

Dave took a liking to using a mono-pod. What can I say... we're old men and don't have the stamina of those younger kids out there shooting. 

We really enjoyed our days off in Fiji... some (me) much more than others.

I'm home now. It's a weird feeling. Trying to get back into the swing of things. Don't know if I was built to stay in one place too long... So let's hang out before I leave again!

Adios!

K

Philippines 7.7

I had no idea what to expect when we touched down in Manila, Philippines and looking back I think that was a good thing. Manila, was rough. Dirty, grimy, and packed. So much traffic, and so many people. I was really overwhelmed and unimpressed. Luckily we only spent one day in the city and got the hell out of Dodge. 

We headed into the mountains to a small village called Sagada. What a change in scenery! Beautiful sweeping views in every direction. Lush green mountains that have been terraced to allow the locals to farm in the harsh steep landscape. 

We visited a bizarre place in Sagada called the "hanging coffins" where instead of burying their dead, the locals used to hang the coffins on cliffs and in caves. The belief being that you smothered the soul of the dead when you burry them underground. A pretty spectacular ritual that is no longer practiced.

We filmed with a local tribe called the Aeta. Some of the most amazingly happy and warm people, living in some pretty rough conditions. 

We ended the trip in a city called Clark, which is about 2 hours north of Manila. What a shit hole. The Americans used to have a huge Air Force base in the city but shut it down in 1993 when a near by volcano erupted and covered the city in 6 feet of ash. With the lack of money coming in from the Americans in the last 17 years or so the city is falling into disrepair. Below is a shot from the main drag which is littered with "night clubs" which are just brothels ready to serve sex tourist who frequent here. Its a creepy scene at night. Groups of white men in their 50's and 60's prowling the clubs for their pick of the litter. Disgusting. 

We didn't make it to any of the beaches here which for me is a huge let down. I don't think I will be back for them though. One was enough. The last thing I will say about the Philippines is don't come here for the cuisine. We ate a wide variety of local food and I will say that I was pretty disappointed and had a constant queazy feeling. 

I am sitting in the New Zealand airport heading to our last stop of our around the world journey, Fiji! 

Adios!

K