Day 2 - Afternoon/evening

We took the kids up for lunch and then they wanted to go to Kids Club.  I was a little unsure of this before we arrived on Fiji (as I had heard how amazing "kids club" was, but said we wouldn't send our kids there because we would be together the whole time), but it was amazing!!!  They did such neat things with them and treated them like their own kids.  Our kids begged us to go every day and LOVED it!  They even made some friends there during the week.  It was like being on an extended family holiday all week.  By the end, you felt like you knew everybody and the staff were like family.  It was so much more than I had ever expected it to be.  Our kids got to do a scavenger hunt this afternoon and whoever won (boys vs. girls) got a free banana boat ride the next day!  Well, boys ended up winning (don't worry, we let Grace go with him, too!) ;)  They loved it!!

 A picture of the path to our house

 That's me and Lance on the beach (I'm enjoying my chair - ha!)

Josh taught the kids how to snorkel.  The snorkeling was amazing and you could do it right off the beach, so it was perfect for teaching them.  They both got the hang of it really quickly, but Lance didn't last very long.  He got better throughout the week.  Josh took Grace out a little farther and she got to see lots of beautiful fish!

 Go Lance!

 Grace and Josh snorkeling

 That evening we all showered and got ready for dinner.  "Happy Hour" was at 5:30 every day and it was our time to sit at the bar/restaurant, watch the sunset, and use the internet.  (It was the only place you could get access.)  We uploaded a few photos to FB and answered emails here.  We all ate at the BBQ seafood buffet that night (which was really good - the chef on the island was AMAZING!)  The food was always wonderful.

 taking some family pics

 pic of the dock and beach at sunset

 the bar/restaurant from the dock

 watching the sunset out on the dock.  The kids played some games on the beach after dinner with kids club before we all headed to bed.

Day 2 - Morning

Our "official" first day in Malolo was a nice, relaxing one.  We wanted to just enjoy the beach, pool, snorkel, and get a feel for the island.  We went to breakfast and then went straight to the ocean!  We played on the beach for a while and then Josh took the kids out for a kayak ride in the morning.  I opted to stay on the beach and watch! ;)  

 Along the path there are these little shade huts.  Every week or so, they weave new palm leaves to make the "roof" of the huts so they're fresh and green again!  It was pretty neat to watch.  This guy is weaving the palms and then they use the ladder to attach them to the top of the huts.  It was neat to watch.

 playing in the ocean

 Grace found a starfish!

 I was laughing so hard as they came around towards where I was laying on the beach!  Poor Josh, notice how the weight isn't distributed too evenly!  It was pretty funny!!

 Grace and Lance took turns "helping" dad paddle ;)

I took this picture to show a different view of how we came to the island.  That was the boat that took us from the main island, and then the smaller one with the roof is what we rode in to the dock.  The tiny boat behind that, is where our luggage was.

Arriving on Malolo!

As we stepped off the boat, someone escorted us to a little table at the bar area where they had cool wash clothes and refreshing drinks waiting for us!!  Lance didn't love the drink so much (as you can see), but the rest of us enjoyed it!  Ha!  

 Cheers!

 This was our view from our table - soaking it all in.....let the week of relaxation begin!

 After we finished our drinks, they gave us a little tour of the island and showed us our Bure (where our luggage was waiting)  :) It was perfect!! Standing in front of our home for the week.

 This is the view from our front porch - notice the kids have already found the hammock!

 A little water basin that they refilled every day with fresh water where you can wash your feet before coming into your bure - so cute!

 relaxing in the hammock - I love them!

 Even Dad is starting to unwind - I love him, too! ;)

 These were the beds that the kids slept on and they made them up for us while we were at dinner every day.

 our bed

 checking out the beach before dinner

What a gorgeous sunset to end the day.  We were pretty tired from all the traveling, so headed to bed after dinner and some play time on the beach.

Boat to Malolo Island

We had about an hour or so before we left the main land, so we had some lunch and then we were off!  

 The boat ride was about 45 minutes to Malolo Island

There's the airport....see you in a week!

 No - this is not where we stayed!  But isn't it gorgeous?!!!  This resort (Liku Liku) is on the same island as ours, but around the other side.  It's adults only and quite pricey, so not so family friendly! ;)  Maybe someday.......

 Yes - this is where we stayed!!!!  Our boat had to make several different stops to different islands and I didn't realize ours was first.  We were all just enjoying the ride when Josh said this was our stop!  I just looked at him and started tearing up!!  I  couldn't believe THIS was where we were staying - it took my breath away!!  I was speechless!!  It was absolutely gorgeous!

 So I have to explain how we actually got to the island - it was so hilarious and new to me!  The boat we were on was too big, so it couldn't go all the way up to the dock.  So they have these little boats that come and get your luggage and the next time you see it it's in your Bure (house)!!  I took a picture of them taking our luggage (yes, that's actually our suitcase) out of the big boat and putting it in the little one.  This is also when they get supplies from the main island, more sheets, towels, etc. and exchange for the dirty ones!  Fascinating!!

 Then we had to step onto a smaller boat as well to get to the dock.

 There goes our luggage.....I hope we see it again!! Ha! ;)

 Here we are on our boat coming up to the Malolo dock.

Oh, did I mention they are singing to you as you arrive??  Heaven....I was in Heaven!!!  Welcome to paradise!!!