THE SIRENE CALL OF FIJI: FIJI AGGRESSOR II 2007

May 2006 found us flying from a 2-week photography trip with Cathy Church on the Bilikiki in the Solomon Islands to Fiji.  Little did we realize that we would be enchanted by these beautiful islands with their hospitable people and magnificent reefs.  But, the spell was cast and we returned in June 2007 to begin a three-week Fiji odyssey with a week on the Fiji Aggressor II.

From the very beginning, the trip went smoothly, as we were met by the Aggressor driver at the Nadi Airport for our transfer to Suva where the boat was docked.  Several other members of the diving party were also present and we began making acquaintances and becoming dive companions for the coming week.  We represented a cross section of divers from around the USA and Italy, too, of a variety of ages and experience.  Right away, it was apparent that we were an agreeable bunch, tired, but eager to have fun, fun, fun.  Arriving in Suva at the Tradewinds, we found the dive director, Steve, from last year and other crew there who recognized us and welcomed us back.  This trip we had booked the master cabin for ease of access and because the trip spanned our 46^th wedding anniversary.  We quickly made ourselves at home

There is no need to recite every experience of the week because it would take volumes to describe the jokes, the laughter, the smiles, the teasing, the easy spirit, and the camaraderie of the group.  Indeed, the dialogue and scenes were more like a sit com than an ordinary group of divers withdrawn into their own clique or personal state of concentration on a book or other preoccupation.  And, of course, there was the famous fabulous food that kept coming morning, noon, and night AND in between to keep us energized for the fantastic diving!

And, fantastic is an understatement to describe the diving.  The weather was better than perfect.  The temperature was mild, the wind was slight, the sun was sparkling, the water was brilliant blue, the coral was luxuriant and radiant, and the fish were teeming. We saw everything we wanted to see except maybe a whale shark and we did not expect to see that anyway!  The other sharks came, the huge groupers, the jacks, the tunas, the Napoleon wrasses, the usual array of tropical fish, eels, even sea snakes.  The small stuff was there for those who were patient enough to look.  No one was disappointed. 

One evening we visited the Megagi Village.  Last year we had gone there and afterward had sent the teacher photos of the children who danced for us.  They had written thank you notes and we had written back in return.  Now we had a special surprise for them – a new Toshiba laptop computer complete with the usual office software and a special National Geographic package of back issues up to the year 2000.  At the village, the children gathered around my husband as he showed them the computer and asked if they would like to have one like it.  They responded, “YES,” enthusiastically.  So, he said, “Get your teacher and tell her you talked me into giving you this one!”  They could hardly believe it.  The chief received the gift graciously on behalf of the school and village.  These children will benefit greatly from the expansion of their access to information and technology.  Aggressor brings guests there to help support their efforts to improve economically and to share their culture.  See the photos of the Village Visit.  We enjoyed a tour, kava ceremony, and dancing.

Several special occasions occurred during the week.  First, we celebrated our 46^th wedding anniversary on June 11.  We were presented with a chocolate brownie cake topped with candles and two bottles of champagne.  We drank one of the bottles with the guests and saved the other.  It found a good purpose later.

The purpose later turned out to be a celebration for Steve, the dive director.  After his year plus service on the Fiji Aggressor II, he was departing to return to his home in Ohio.  This was his last voyage on the boat.  So, we all decided to throw him a surprise underwater going away party!  A sign was made with his name and “Congratulations!” on it.  And the bottle of champagne was hidden under a diver’s wet suit.  On the very last dive of the trip, the surprise was launched.  One diver pretended to be “in trouble.”  When Steve came to investigate the group surrounded him waving the sign and bottle of champagne.  I was the official photographer and John did a video.  See the photos in the album.  The party was a huge success with a lot of silliness underwater.  Steve was quite surprised!  “How was he to know there was a party going on?  We was a splishing an’ a splashing!”…..

The Fiji Aggressor II is the smaller of the two boats that Aggressor has assigned to Fiji.  The other one has been designated as Fiji Aggressor III and is actually formerly the Tahiti Aggressor.  It is larger and can accommodate 20 guests.  The Fiji Aggressor II is more compact and we like the ease of getting around on it.  There is adequate space for cameras, dining, relaxing, and other amenities.  Cabins are comfortable.  It takes 10 guests.  The space is adequate for that number and it is nicer to have a smaller number.  It is easier to get to know the smaller number of guests.  We felt more like a family by the end of the week and hated to say, “Goodbye.”

OK, so we had a LOT of fun on the Fiji Aggressor II for that week.  That is not surprising at all because between John and me, we have booked 22 trips on Aggressor boats world-wide including some multiple trips: Caymans, Belize, Cocos Island, Tahiti, Red Sea, Utila, and Fiji.  Never have we been disappointed or dissatisfied by how a trip was handled by Aggressor!  We have found the company and their philosophy of operations to be professional and consistent. And, most of all, their management is responsive to the needs of their dive clientele.  That is how this company keeps getting our repeat business.