We awoke to breakfast served in our room at 8:30am and by 9:30 we were on a boat with Noah, Grant, Rosie and another couple from the resort heading out on a dolphin safari. We weren't disappointed either - 30 minutes out to sea we were idling the boat in circles while dozens of dolphins swam all around, jumping out of the water and riding the bow wave. Incredible to see them at such close quarters - you could touch them if you leaned out of the boat at the right time.
On the way back we stop at one of the deeper parts of the bay where the sea is around 4 or 5 meters deep and the coral reef is much larger and more established, rising up from the sea bed everywhere below. The sea bed falls away quite sharply either side of the reef making it quite scary! I chose to stick to the shallower parts of the water above the reef and before I know it I'm in very shallow water, catching my hands and shorts on the coral as I floated over the reef. Half not wanting to break the precious coral and half not wanting to be cut by the sharp outcrops and be a bleeding mess as I float into the deeper water where the sharks are (ok, so they're only "small" ones). Thankfully I was able to let the current take me over the reef without incident.
Noah confirmed the presence of sharks by finding one hiding in the coral (probably hiding from Noah) and pulling it out by it's tail for us all to see. I was getting tired with all this swimming so I sat in the boat while the others fed the fish with more bread and Noah even caught a fish - with his bare hands! Is there anything he can't do?
Back at the resort and Sarah and I packed and finished the duty free vodka we had bought on the way out of New Zealand. We had an hour to spare so had a couple of beers with Grant and Rosie before settling the bill. Just like when we arrived we were treated to a goodbye song performed by Pauly on guitar, Toui and some of the other staff before being driven the mile or so to island's airstrip to catch the light aircraft to the main island. Having paid out £220 for the boat ride to the island, this flight was a snip at just £65 for the both of us, and takes only a quarter of the time.
We checked in at the terminal building, which is both the arrivals and departure lounges and control tower, and we're told the flight is delayed by an hour which is fine by us - we get a beer from the bar on the beach and wait. An hour and a half later we boarded the small, 16 seater aircraft for the 15 minute flight to Nadi airport. The pilot was even kind enough to fly over Lomani as we climbed at my request - he looked like he would have done a loop the loop if I'd have asked.
Nadi was hot. No breeze to speak of and no air conditioning. We made the usual enquiries about a free upgrade but none were available. We could however pay £330 each for an upgrade to business class. We thought about it and decided to go for it. Not only do we get the large seats with all the legroom in the world and better food and drinks, but we also have access to the VIP lounge for the two and a half hours before the flight. The lounge was great - this is how flying should be. I was able to have a nice cool shower, there are free drinks and nibbles, free WiFi and fully air conditioned. A lovely way to prepare for a flight, just wish it was more affordable more of the time.
On board the plane the extras kept on coming. Complimentary champagne before take-off, a choice of beef, chicken or vegetarian meals, all served to us individually - no trolley food here, and on proper plates, with metal cutlery too. We also had a wine list to choose from, a seat that almost fully reclined with a big leg rest and a complimentary toilet bag with moisturising cremes, toothpaste and toothbrush. Being at the very front of the aircraft means it is so much quieter than being near the wings and engines and we had the best sleep on a plane ever.
