From Zero To Hero
Another great start to the day. 5am and I am out on the road. Yes I know I could do better but I am getting there. I am feeling a lot better, my third day back on the road, I better get fit soon as I will soon be in the running company of many runners in New Zealand. That will be nice, it’s been a year
Since my Irish friends Paul Mahon and his girlfriend Hilary made a detour from their South American trek to join me on the road in northern Colombia Please see > HERE Yes a year, just me and no other runners. I long for running company 
The last couple of days have also been a bit hilly. Today is also the hottest day so far in Fiji.
At one stage I was crawling along and getting a bit worried about the effort I was expending, my heart was racing heavily so I just backed off the pace and walked some more.
The people continue to shout their greetings. A man called Dan brought me into his house where his wife brewed me the most delicious cup of lemon tea I ever tasted. She went out to the garden and picked 6 lemon leaves and poured boiling water in to a large mug.
Delicious lemon tea
With a GDP per capita income of under $5,000, Fiji is dependent upon it’s tourism industry, fishing , forestry, mineral and the sugar industries are also of vital importance.
During colonial days the British brought over Indian contract labourers to work on the sugar plantations. These labourers were a huge part of the decedents of the great diverse multi-cultural society Fiji enjoys today.
On and on I went making my way through a small town called Sigotaka, spotted a mosque, wondered if I would see a mullah, no but the children continued to call out ” Bula! Bula”
Over a bridge, chicken curry in an Indian restaurant for lunch. Out the door up the road on and on that day was tough. I am well hydrated as I continue to take High5′s Zero electrolytes but I am tired, so fatigued I was falling asleep in the restaurant till the owner awoke me with a tap on the back. The last part of the day is always the hardest, if only I would set out earlier.
Firewalking for some but I will stick to the hot running!
Since Sigatoka the traffic is noticeably heavier. Much of the time I am in the hard shoulder. The shoulder is just like in Argentina, gravel or grass. Its tough running in and out in the heavy traffic. which drive on the left in all of my Oceania route. There were very sharp cluster thorns all over my shoes and socks but as I was so near the finish I just marched on.
Then along comes Debbie by a sports manager for the resort. She rode out on her mountain bike to greet me. Seeing my discomfort I stood in the grass while Debbie pulled the thorns out of me.
Debbie from Thailand says its nice and mild here!
Originally from Thailand she tells me she loves the ‘ mild ‘ climate here and everyone tells her it so hot, but not for her. What! I say I will be there in about six or seven months.
I turned and ran up the driveway of Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa in Yanuca. Click link to see photos, amazing place! :)
There were about six staff members all lined up with a welcome Tony sign!
Then onto the lobby where a welcoming band playing traditional Fijian music continued this incredible greeting. more staff were lined up including the general manager and all the duty managers..Phew! A speech, They refreshed me with hot towels and water.
What a reception!
Another round of ” Bula! ” A Hawaiian floral necklace around my neck.. (Whats it called?)
Photographs.. And they don’t say.. ” Say cheese! ” I will give you one guess!
While the general manager was shaking my hand telling me I was very welcome and to let him know if I needed anything, sharp as ever, I asked him what time the buffet closes at! On The house Tony! Also breakfast in my room at 3am.
What a lovely place. I am told the rooms are $400 a night. So I go into my room, have a shower and look at the white bathrobe hanging up. I put it on, shave and look in the mirror and say
” We have come a long way since this time last month in Patagonia, Hey pretty boy! ”
Then I have my ‘ Fr. Dougall Moment ‘
My doorbell rings, I answer it still wearing the bathrobe.
There are two house maids outside. ” Mr. Tony would you like us to pull your bed down? ”
” What! Eh! No it’s okay where it is by the wall, thank you very much! ”
” Would you like us to move your bed down for you? ” She repeats.
” Ah no thanks I don’t think this bed will fit down the stairs, thanks anyway. ”
” Ok Mr. Tony if you need anything just dial 1 ”
Ok I say and close the door wondering what she meant by dialing one of them when there were two. Women can be so confusing, I shook my head.
Many thanks for a wonderful stay to the management and staff of the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa in Yanuca.
