Fiji was Fantastic!
We have just returned from our most amazing shark adventure yet! When I coined the phrase, "shark diving in paradise," I had no idea what a
complete understatement that was.
Our adventure to Beqa Island was stellar.
We were in total sensory overload. The resort was absolutely beautiful.
Our 16 shark divers were pampered and spoiled by the Fijian staff (not to mention very well fed). We gathered for many delicious and creatively
prepared meals at the Bure Kalou. Situated at the edge of the lagoon with a soaring eighty-foot thatched roof, it was the perfect setting to
relish the chefs' fine cuisine comprised of local shelfish, fresh fruits and vegetables, New Zealand lamb and Australian beef.
We all enjoyed fabulous accommodations in very private bures. These exquisite bures provided the perfect setting to relax and reflect on the
incredible experiences we shared. Less than an hour after diving with a 16-foot Tiger shark, Bull sharks and scores of other sharks at one
time we relaxed in nice big hammocks with ice-cold Fiji Gold brew and soaked in the gorgeous South Pacific sunset.
We had a pretty good idea that we were in for incredible shark diving action in Fiji. We knew we had a great possibility of encountering
up to eight species of sharks during our stay in Beqa Lagoon. We had no idea that we would see all eight species on the first dive! Our
first dive with Beqa Adventure Divers was simply over the top! We had Scarface, a beautiful 16-foot Tiger Shark roll up on us within five
minutes at 100 feet. She just appeared through a group of about eight Bull Sharks and a handful of Lemon and Nurse Sharks. Manassa, our
fearless leader and Shark Master, began to hand feed her. Scarface just swam through the group, closely inspected all of us and posed for
some amazing photos. Then we ascended to a shallower depth and continued our dive. Scarface followed us and hung around until the end of
the dive. At the shallowe r area we had a few Black Tip, White Tip and Grey Reef Sharks, plus a very pretty Silver Tip shark. All eight of
them showed up in one dive! That was just the beginning. Dive Two was all about the Bulls! Scarface was back again too. This time Russi, the
Fijian Dive Master, hand fed the Bull sharks! This was simply amazing to watch. These Bull Sharks are huge. One fine specimen was over
10-feet long with immense girth. Being up close and personal with several large Bulls in the open water could have been a rather tense.
But, with our very capable Fijian guides, we had everything safely under control.
On the morning of our third day we awoke to a Tsunami warning!!! (There's never a dull moment on our trips. ) Thankfully, it was cancelled
shortly afterwards, but it was a very exciting way to start another adventurous day in Fiji!
The action was nonstop for the rest of the trip. We watched the amazing Fire Walkers of Beqa Island. These warriors put on
quite a show! I've watched my video of it a dozen times and I still don't know how they do it, and I was not about to try it
myself. Swimming with sharks is one thing, but I'm a chicken when it comes to 2,000 degree farenheit rocks.
The next evening everyone thoroughly enjoyed the Kava ceremony. We really got into the whole Fijian experience.
The all night beach party was a great way to spend the last night at the resort, since no one was diving the next day. Although we
departed with a group of tired clients, everyone was in fine spirits for the ride back to Nadi for the plane ride home. We made a
few fun souvenir shopping stops along the way and people purchased Fijian artifacts, war clubs, black pearls and cool Fiji apparel
and gear. One final cocktail party at the Tanoan hotel got everyone ready for rentry to normal life. We all returned with fond memories,
great photos and videos that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
