Today was all about swimming with manta rays in Fiji. Rising at 7:50 am, we gathered for breakfast, and a sense of gloom settled over us as the weather was cloudy. With no particular plans, I decided to return to bed after breakfast.
Meanwhile, Dan and Kim, who I met yesterday, embarked on a tour to a local village, an option I chose to skip given the $25 cost, as I anticipated visiting a village and experiencing a kava session later. Kava, a local drink crafted from a root, is known for numbing the tongue and reportedly inducing sleepiness. Svetlana expressed interest in joining them, but they already had a full group, so her request was unfortunately declined.
A Vibrant Day
Svetlana and I went back to the dorm to sleep in, and two hours later, Dan and Kim returned from their tour, also retiring to bed. Surprisingly, we all woke up again before lunch, and it seemed like almost everyone on the island had a late morning.
Upon reaching the lunch table, I noticed a new face, an enthusiastic girl who spoke passionately about her travels. Mette, a solo traveler from Denmark, mentioned that she was here to undertake the PADI Advanced Course for a few days. Lunch consisted of tacos, equally delightful as the dinner from the previous night. Kim generously handed me her plate, so I ended up with two plates in total, which was a delightful surprise. I engaged in pleasant conversations with Mette, discussing diving experiences.
Manta Rays Briefing
Following lunch, I opted to join Mette for the manta ray briefing. Participating in one of these meetings was a prerequisite for swimming with manta rays in Fiji. During the briefing, we were informed not to touch the mantas, and that was essentially the extent of the guidelines. We had to register our names and provide our signatures. The opportunity to swim with the manta rays in Fiji would be available in the late afternoon.
While Dan and Kim had already experienced it and shared some videos with us, Svetlana and I had yet to embark on the adventure. Sebastian, the German guy, eagerly signed up for the tour once again. Despite having done it previously, he was keen on capturing some amazing pictures.
Impromptu Thrills
In the late afternoon, feeling a bit bored, I approached Dan and Kim to see if they’d like to join me on a hike to the outlook. Unexpectedly, bells on the island began ringing, the customary signal for meal times. A guy rushed around shouting, ‘Manta rays,’ indicating it was time for the tour. Fortunately, I was already wearing my swimming trunks. Svetlana and I made our way to the dive shop, where approximately 15 people were waiting. We all had to sign in and collect our gear from the shop. Within 15 minutes, we boarded the motorboat for the tour.
Our accommodation was in close proximity to the manta rays, a mere ten minutes away by boat. The instructions were clear; we were to jump into the water, follow the current, and keep an eye out for manta rays. Roughly 100 meters down the current, the boat would wait for us. It would then transport us back to the starting point, allowing us to snorkel once more with the current. In total, the boat completed three runs.
Majestic Encounters: Dancing with Giants in the Waters of Yasawa Islands
The initial run was delightful, and I managed to spot some massive manta rays. They exceeded my expectations in size, appearing much larger than I had anticipated. Although the visibility wasn’t perfect, the second round provided better views. As I entered the water, I didn’t just focus on what was beneath me; I also looked above the waterline. Fellow snorkelers would point to the areas where manta rays were swimming.
Swimming with manta rays was truly incredible. The person beside me gestured downward, and when I looked, I was astonished to see a manta ray right beneath me! ‘Holy shit,’ I exclaimed, swimming backward as the manta ray gracefully maneuvered downwards. From such close proximity, I could observe its substantial mouth with small fish swimming in front of it – a peculiar sight that strangely reminded me of B12 airplanes. The manta rays swam almost effortlessly, gliding through the water without frequent wing flapping. This entire encounter was undeniably a remarkable and exhilarating experience! Throughout the excursion, I encountered three distinct manta rays multiple times.
I had better views of the manta rays compared to others, possibly because I was observant both above and below the water. The signals from fellow snorkelers, pointing out the locations, proved to be very helpful.
Refreshing Showers
On the boat, I had a brief conversation with a Dutch couple who were eager to swim with manta rays. They were staying at a different resort but shared the same enthusiasm. Our chat lasted only a couple of minutes as they had to transfer to another motorboat. They happened to be the first Dutch individuals I encountered in Fiji, and we instantly connected over our shared interest.
Upon reaching the beach, I quickly returned to the dorm, unwilling to wait for showers. I appreciated my foresight in planning ahead at that moment. With towel and shampoo in hand, I headed towards the showers, engaging in a friendly race with Mette. Fortunately, all three showers were vacant. Although the water was cold, it felt refreshing after a swim in the sea. Svetlana, accustomed to luxurious accommodations with hot showers, expressed some dissatisfaction.
After my shower, I draped my towel over one of the trees and took a moment to relax on my bed. I decided to watch an episode of How I Met Your Mother, realizing that I only had a few episodes left before completing the series. In the evening, we enjoyed a delightful dinner, the details of which now escape my memory.
Crab Racing Extravaganza: A Multinational Showdown in Yasawa Islands
Following the meal, an entertaining crab race was on the agenda. Each participant could select their own crab, and being the sole representative from the Netherlands, I had the privilege of choosing my own. Mette, hailing from Denmark, also had the opportunity to pick her crab. The crowd consisted mainly of Germans and French people, with the French opting for the largest crab in the box. In contrast, I opted for a mid-sized crab, anticipating that the larger one might be slower.
We assembled outside, forming a large circle in the sand with a smaller circle in the center. In this central space, all our crabs were placed in a plastic bin. The event comprised three rounds, each determining its own winner. The fourth and final round would feature the victors from each prior round racing against each other. Once released in the inner circle, the crabs would scuttle in various directions, creating an entertaining spectacle. The winner of the second round belonged to a country I didn’t quite catch. However, the highlight was the third round, as my chosen crab emerged victorious in the contest!
The final proved uneventful, as France’s gigantic crab effortlessly secured victory in the contest. The triumphant participants were rewarded with complimentary drinks from the bar.
Card Games
In the evening, our group gathered around the table—Dan, Kim, Svetlana, Sebastian, and Catherine. We engaged in card games, finding enjoyment in the friendly competition. I introduced them to “pesten,” one of the few card games I’m familiar with, and Catherine taught us some entertaining new card games that added to the fun.
In the evening, I dedicated some time to writing before heading to bed around 1 am. Tomorrow brought a tinge of disappointment, as I truly desired to deepen my connections with these newfound friends. Dan, Kim, and Catherine were venturing north to Nacula Island, thankfully avoiding the less-than-pleasant accommodation I had experienced. Svetlana planned to remain at Barefoot, but my next destination was South Sea Island. The prospect of South Sea Island excited me—it was so petite that you could stroll around the entire island in just 10 minutes, offering a unique charm similar to my experience in Bali. At least, I looked forward to reuniting with Jacob who I met on Nacula Island a few days ago.
