2explore.net We are Niels and Amy van Dongen and this is our journey. Our home site is http://www.2explore.net. On February 16, 2007 we will leave behind the comforts of our home in Seattle to travel through the South Pacific. On this site you can follow along with us, read about our experiences and view some of the photos we have taken en route. Our insatiable urge to explore, sparked the idea for this adventure. In October of 2005, we had a taste of the South Pacific on a 3-week trip to the Cook Islands and have ever since wanted to go back to immerse ourselves in the South Pacific way of life and record our experiences. With many ecosystems at risk from pollution, global warming and climate change, this is now especially critical. We aim to capture the true character of the idyllic South Pacific through photographs and words in a way that makes any observer of our work feel a connection to this special place and in turn, join us in making simple choices in everyday life that can have positive, lasting effects on the world around us. For a year we will be living as modern nomads – traveling only with what we can carry in our packs, living amongst the locals on the islands we visit, spending time sharing stories and experiences and taking in the captivating underwater world on the occasional dive. We hope to help others along the way and keep a vivid record of this adventure to share with you, and keep at the forefront of our memory. Follow along with us and learn about far away places of natural beauty and rich cultures. Experience with us the big world we call home.

Levuka, a lovely town on Ovalau Island, has become our favorite place in Fiji thus far. The spirit of the town is authentic, lively and filled with genuinely friendly people enjoying a simple life in a far less touristy part of Fiji. The journey there is not easy, but worth it. We took a small boat from Nananu-i-Ra to Ellington Wharf, then a shuttle back to RakiRaki where we caught a bus that continued Southeast on the Kings Road for 4 hours. (This road, which is really more like a track, is most certainly NOT fit for a King!) The bus ride takes 4 hours because of the absolute horrible road conditions. It is quite amazing that the buses are able to make it through the dirt, mud, and loads of potholes that make up the so-called road. Riding on the bus was a bit hair-raising at times with the width of the bus being wider than many of the rickety bridges we had to cross, but we eventually arrived safely at Natovi landing. Dirt encrusted from the ride, we took a ferry to Ovalau Island and once there, road the bus for another 40 minutes to Levuka.

Levuka has one main street (ironically named 'Beach street' even though there is no beach in sight) that is lined with false-fronted wooden buildings with covered walkways. There are several pool halls, a few restaurants, and numerous shops selling everything but the kitchen sink, many of which appear to have changed very little since the late 1800's when Levuka was really thriving. We made our home at the Royal Hotel, the oldest hotel in Fiji and felt as though we had slipped back in time. Our days passed quite quickly as we spent most of our time strolling around town, biking a bit, and talking with the locals.