Back on the road!
Pau my support driver took my photo as I stood on the ocean front of Suva the capital city of Fiji.
Pau.
It was a warm morning, not even 8 o’ clock yet and it was already heating up. This was the start of my 3rd continent, Oceania. A small continent for me comprising of just three countries. My total will be in the region of 6,000km and I plan to not hang about too much here. I understand there are record temperatures in Australia and bush fires in Tasmania. It will be cooler by the time I get there.
At last the run through Oceania has begun!
After my customarily touching of the ocean I ran out of Suva through it’s busy winding roads. That first morning back running after my 4 week timeout.
It had been a nice Christmas and New Year spent with my family in Dublin. In those four weeks I did almost no running. Now I am totally out of shape. Other journey runners usually do a little running during timeouts, I always plan to but rarely do, Different strokes, I feel I need a break. It is always murder those first days back on the road, almost like a novice runner. I just literally run myself fit in a few days.
I am sluggish but am happy enough by my pace.
Already its starting to heat up. I gotta leave early in future
I am getting cheered all along the road. And its not just me as it seems everyone is out to out do each other roaring out ” Bula! Bula! Bula ” the Fijian customarily greeting.
As the day wore on I got out of the habit of responding with Hola! and really got into it.
Bula! Bula!
Once three children ran up behind me on the road to accompany me, others looked on from the many shady bus shelters I perfected the ’ ula ‘ bula to sound like a cows moo, well a hoarse one with an Irish accent. This always had the children falling around in hysterics!
Late morning the day heated up significantly and I was starting to feel uncomfortable. I had already run about 20km having made just a few brief stops. Now my lack of fitness is beginning to tell.
I push on but not for long I have to stop for a short rest but the reality the stop is longer than I want. It seems if I walk I need less stoppages and can get away with just brief stops. reluctantly I decide to walk some more.
Walking is obviously allowed in any race. In journey running there are some runners who will not walk a single step, others a little. It is something which for some unknown reason makes me feel guilty. The spirit of this run will be a run but if I have to walk for parts, so be it.
Today’s finish is at the Uprising Beach Resort and I am now about halfway there.
Pau pulls up at a police station and I ask him for the Fijian word for water as this is the first word I will have to learn in any language.
” Why? ” It sounds like he has said to me.
” Because I might be thirsty and want a drink! ”
” Why? ”
” Because I might be thirsty! ”
” But Tony water is pronounced as ‘ why ‘ in English and spelt ‘ wai.’
Another word I learned is ‘ lialia ‘ for crazy! At least I know what people are saying!
On I plodded stopping many times to sit in the car. One time Pau left my water bottle on the roof of the car!
” Hey Pau have you got a tea bag? ”
” Why? ”
” For the hot wai! ”
English is the official language in Fiji though it seems when people talk among themselves they speak Fijian. During my few days on the road there I have been told that there are between 100 or 200 dialects spoken. Some people have told me they cannot understand what people on other parts of the island are saying. Other people have told me it’s all similar that the real difference is the structure. Everyone claims to speak the ‘ true Fijian ‘ language.
I shuffle my way to my days finish.
At the door of the (see website for photos) Uprising Beach Resort , a spectacular setting with its pristine gardens and luxurious cabins I was made to feel welcome.
James, a duty manager greeted me at the door telling me I was so welcome and anything I needed I could have. I collapsed onto a sofa and assured him I would be back showered and ready for dinner within half an hour.. Phew! I very much appreciate all this hospitality. Fiji Tourism have organised room only for me, no food and on my budget this makes a difference staying in these ‘ high- roller ‘ places!
Once inside my cabin I puked twice into the toilet bowl and fell asleep on the sofa. I was awakened by a knock on the door.
” Sorry I fell asleep I will shower quickly and be over at the restaurant in 15 minutes.” I told the housekeeper.
Once over at the Uprising I met with another manager called Alfred. We had dinner together, me ordering a delicious steak dinner, the best and tenderest in the whole restaurant Alfred told the waitress because Tony has just come from Argentina and we have better steaks here!
With James and Alfred.
.
Nothing was too much trouble to Alfred, even to dig up a tub of Vaseline, phone and internet cards. Breakfast will be delivered to my cabin at 3am.
Out for New Years Eve with Mam and Ann. I was following the ATY race on Anns iphone. Sad 
Christmas Day with Ann and Mam. and Lucky the dog!
January 13th, 2013 at 2:37 pm
Well done Tony, Let’s hope you get an equally great reception in New Zealand. The weather there will, no doubt, be much more agreeable. Roll on the next country !!
January 13th, 2013 at 6:55 pm
Good read Tony, glad you heading for your next country. Take care