This morning we eat breakfast right by the pool. The air is warm but not hot. I love having a meal with the sound of the ocean right by, unfortunately it is somewhat drowned out by the construction going on next door.

Today we are on a tour that will take us to some local sights around Nadi. We are collected by Anan from Excite Tours. It’s just Daniel and I on the tour, so we are getting a private tour.

Our first stop of the day is Sri Siva Subramaniya, an incredibly colourful Hindu temple, the largest in the Southern hemisphere. We are given sulus to cover up and then follow Anan into the temple grounds. As we wander around, Anan pays his respects to the different gods and tells us about each of them. He invites us to ask questions, about the temple, or anything to do with Fiji. He is more than happy to share with us. The temple ceiling is stunning with brightly coloured frescoes portraying different stories. The detail is amazing, Fiji’s Sistine Chapel. You aren’t allowed to take photos inside so you will have to visit yourself to see it.

Our next stop is a local craft market. I have been hoping to buy some tapa cloth to take home and Anan tells me I will find some here. There are several stalls to look at, each selling a variety of local hand crafts, from tapa cloth, to jewelry, and carved wooden items. The staff are quite persuasive at getting us into their little stalls, it’s hard to say no. I want to have a little look around, but there is a bit of pressure to buy things, it’s quite an intense experience. Nothing like the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul or the street markets in Kolkata, but I was pleased when we finally left. Neither Daniel nor I really like shopping, but we did end up walking away with a few nice souvenirs for our nieces and nephews. I was also very happy to come away with some tapa cloth and a wooden mask. These will be lovely reminders of our time here. I hope we can get them through customs, or we may have just made a donation to the local community.

A local fruit and veg market is next on the agenda. It’s huge! There are rows and rows of beautiful, fresh produce. Some of which I have never seen before. Anan shows us some kava roots and explains that it is crushed up into a powder then put into a mesh bag to strain in water. One stall has some kava drinks already prepared. It looks like muddy water if I’m honest, but we are offered some and of course we say yes. We clap, say ‘Bula’ and then drink it in one go. This is followed by another clap. It kind of tastes how it looks and leaves a numb, tingling feeling on your tongue. An experience for sure!

After experiencing a little bit of Fijian culture we head to the mountains to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant. I can see how it gets its name. The mountains have quite a distinctive shape. As we get closer, the landscape changes. It becomes very lush, green and dense. It’s a tranquil paradise. You feel a world away from civilization among the tropical forest and bird song. We have half an hour to explore so take the loop walk passing delicate looking orchids of various colours and shapes. Apparently there are a lot more orchids during the summer months, but it’s still beautiful and I very much enjoy soaking up the forest. Some of the plants have ginormous leaves which we find very intriguing. Our walk and time at the garden ends with a very welcomed, complimentary juice.

Our last stop of the day is what I have been looking forward to the most. The mud pools. I had thought we were going to Sabeto Mud Pools, but actually ended up next door at Tifajek Mud Pool & Hot Spring.

Essentially, you cover yourself in mud, wait for it to dry, then wash it off in the fresh spring pools.

The mud is thick and squelches between my fingers as I attempt to pick it up and rub it across my skin. Without any warning, Daniel picks up a clump and smears it across my face. Thanks. Within a few minutes we are covered. The French girls next to us have neatly rubbed it onto their face like a beauty mask. We do not look nearly as sophisticated. I even have it in my hair and ears. Again, thanks Daniel.

Once we have baked dry in the sun, we get into the first pool, which has a thick layer of mud at the bottom. I sink in almost up to my knees. We do our best to wash it off, but it has baked on well. The sensation of the mud below is very strange, it’s even thick enough to sit on. Once we are somewhat clean, we get into the deliciously warm spring pool. It’s like being in a giant bath and is just delightful.

When I told Daniel I had booked a tour so we could go and soak in some mud, he thought I had lost the plot. He later confessed that he really enjoyed it.

The afternoon is spent by the pool, reading in a hammock. This is followed by a walk along the beach. It’s a lovely, sandy beach and soft underfoot, but the water is very dirty looking. Sun sparkles across the ocean, dotted with yachts and little islands out on the horizon. I am looking forward to heading out to the Yasawas tomorrow.

For dinner we head 2 doors down to Club 57 & Bistro right on the rooftop of Ramada Suites by Wyndham. We get some incredible views from here and it’s the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail while watching another stunning sunset. With a strawberry daiquiri in hand, framed by an orange sky, we talk about moving somewhere warmer. (This often happens when we go away on holiday, this time it’s Brisbane we are thinking of) The food is amazing and the staff are very hospitable.

As we walk home, I find myself still picking mud out of my ears and hair. It was worth it though.