Fiji!

 

Bula! 

We’ve been using Fiji cocoa beans for about a year now.  Cacao Fiji is the name of the association that grows and processes this cacao. We LOVE these beans.  Our descriptor for this chocolate bar is “hot cocoa notes with a creamy marshmallow finish.”  

For the past year we have been communicating with Arif Kahn the Director/Founder of Cacao Fiji.  You can imagine how excited we were to finally travel here and meet him and see his operation. 

As luck would have it, Arif was traveling the same day and ended up on our flight from Nadi, Viti Levu to Labasa, Vanua Levu.  As we landed we were introduced to the Assistant Minister of Agriculture for Fiji, Viam Pillay. 

Here’s a picture of Ned presenting our bar to Mr. Pillay.  Arif is second from the right. 

Easy flight from SFO to Nadi.  We breezed thru customs and immigration, literally took us 10 minutes!  We then had a 4 hour layover in Nadi.   We spent our time walking back and forth between the Domestic terminal and the International terminal.  To put this in perspective that took all of 5 minutes.   However, after the eleven hour flight it felt great to stretch our legs.  We also had fun just being goofy.  Note the bottom picture.  It’s a 3-D drawing that you can “step into”.   Here’s Ned living the dream of being waited on.  Dream on, baby...

 It was a short 40 minute hop between the islands.  What a beautiful flight.  The turquoise sea, scattered small atolls with pristine white beaches, and white puffy clouds made for a spectacular first impression. 

Arif and one his foreman, Bob, gave us a lift into town.  We’re settled into a modest, but super comfy motel.  We handled logistics for the day, getting a SIM card, arranging for a rental car for tomorrow, etc.  Seems like a good opportunity to enjoy some local beer, Fiji Gold and have some local grilled fresh fish with fruit salsa.  Yum!!   

Everyone we’ve met is super friendly and nice.  Everyone, and I mean everyone, acknowledges you with a gorgeous smile and a cheery, “Bula”, which means hello.  As I was taking pictures of the property several of the friendly guys standing around waved, gave me peace signs and encouraged me to take their photos.   Time to hit the pool and enjoy Fiji!