Nice Digs!

We've been traveling on a shoestring this past year. That is, we have stayed in Youth Hostels (dorm-like bunkrooms with shared bathrooms, sometimes co-ed, sometimes not), or one room cabins in campgrounds with communal kitchens and other facilities. We've grown to prefer this not only for the lower cost (remember how I said Australia prices are double those in the U.S.?), but for the interesting people we've met, variety of languages and cultures we see/meet, and comfortable living and computer areas. The staff are always very friendly, and many times the grounds are lovely with a pool, laundry facilities, tour pick-ups, etc.

Our accomodation in Fiji was a resort. We felt like the Beverly Hillbillies arriving in Los Angeles for the first time. "Wow, our own bathroom, right here off the room!" "Hey, they even have the sheets already on the bed!" "Look! They provide the soap and some shampoo!" We felt so spoiled. The maid even came the very next day to clean the room and make the beds! We actually told her she didn't need to come in, that we didn't really need new towels and then realized this is how hotel living goes! We've grown to love the simple life, I guess!

Since it was Christmas night, we went down to the lovely dining room and had a delicious dinner while listening to the local village children's choir serenade us in Fijian. The weather was warm enough for short sleeves and shorts. The candles were lit, the tree lights were blinking, and we were set for the next 5 nights in Paradise.