One Last Hurrah

As our current Fiji season is drawing to a close, we were really excited to head out on charter for our ‘one last hurrah’ before taking NAI’A off to Tonga for the humpback whale season. We had a trip of dreams, joined by a lovely group of guests: NAI’A regular and essentially family member Bruce; actual NAI’A family Rob & Cat, daughters Malia & Parri along with lifelong friend Nell; former NAI’A guest Steve this time with his daughter Meagan in tow: team of six old friends and diving buddies Karen & Ian, Barbara & Lindsey and Barbara & Allen; and last but by no means least super enthusiastic, smiling George!

Photo Credit: Bruce

We had some avid photographers onboard this trip - both above and below water - and they really blew our minds with some of their stunning shots! Bruce enjoys to dive ‘sans camera’ to allow him just to relax and enjoy the moment but on land there’s no stopping him: he’s particularly into his portraits and got some winning photos of both our passengers and our crew. Thanks Bruce!

Photo Credit: Steve

Steve made full use of his talented daughter, getting some really special ‘diving in action’ shots. We just love these! It really captures what we all feel and experience down there; the true magic of being so completely absorbed in another world. His wide angle, exploding soft coral shots sum up just perfectly what Fiji diving is all about! Wow, just wow.

Photo Credit: Steve

We were lucky enough to see a little bit of almost everything on this charter! Vatu-I-Ra and Nananu-I-Ra started and ended the trip respectively with mesmerizing blooming soft corals, while the top of the wall at Wakaya mid-week impressed with its hard coral gardens. Wakaya also offered up some of the ‘big stuff’: everyone was treated to multiple manta rays and a few lucky divers even got a huge hammerhead shark!! Photographers had more luck capturing the macro critters though, as every single dive site has tons of little creatures hiding away just waiting to be discovered. Just a few of them are shown off in the photo above: so much character in such little animals! Lovin’ your work Steve.

Photo Credit: (Left Top, Bottom) Bruce, Malia (Center Top to Bottom) Bruce (Right Top to Bottom) Malila, Bruce, Malia, Bruce

We had the most incredible village visit this charter, spending a beautiful afternoon at the tiny fishing village of Somosomo on Gau. What made it extra special – other than the spectacular warm welcome we always receive – was the fact that we were finally (after months of preparation!) ready to present a much anticipated gift to the villagers……a library of more than 650 kids’ books!! It was so delightful to see the kids getting stuck in, rummaging through all their new reads and helping to set up the new bookshelves. A huge thanks to all who donated books and a special thanks to Rob and Cat for being the logistical coordinators!

Guys, you were an absolute pleasure to have onboard: such a delight to dive with and so interesting to get to know relaxing between dives. We had such an enjoyable charter, thank you all so much! Hope to have you onboard again soon. Until then…..happy bubbles! It’s off to Tonga we go……

“Thanks for the best week ever! We love you NAI’A family! Best crew in the world. See you next time.” Steve & Meagan

“I never want to leave!!” Nell

“Thanks for a great week. Beautiful healthy reefs, great crew, fabulous food.” Karen