Maravagi Resort

As its the school holidays we decided to head away for the weekend. Maravagi Resort is the closest place of choice for most expats. To call it a resort probably leads you to think something reasonably flash. Rustic and basic is a better description more on par with camping. That aside ita great spot with heaps of tropical fish that swim right up to the dining room/restaurant window, beautifully scenery, warm tropical water and friendly hosts. The food is fabulous too.

The trip over takes 90 minutes in a banana boat. I found it a little hair raising but was rewarded with the sighting of a couple of whales and some dolphins, along with dozens of flying fish. To be honest we didn't see much more than a spout, flick of a tail and hump of a back with the whales and dolphins but the flying fish were amazing. They come zooming out of the water at high speed and literally fly through the air for up to 75 metres with their little fins fanned out like wings. Apparently its their escape route when being chased by bigger fish and I suppose frightened by our boat. Counting flying fish is a nice variation to counting cows something we have done between Taupo and Tauranga on occasions!!!!

We took a trip to another island to visit a village and see their sacrificial site - where they use to chop off enemies heads who were foolish enough to get caught. Actually the walk up the steep hill in ridiculously hot temperatures seemed punishment enough for me - chopping heads seemed a little bit of an overkill. Got beautiful views from the top and was interesting to learn about plants, tabu sites etc.

Poppy did her first real snorkling and was buzzed out by the magical world. That and the mosquito nets were enough for the girls to think they were in fairy land. Playing in the tropical rain storm was another fun moment!!!