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.

While on Ovalau Island, we were able to spend a few days in a traditional Fijian village, staying with at family-run, local 'guesthouse' just outside of Arovudi village. Here, we sampled the real Fijian life. The village and our accommodation was rural, very basic, and completely authentic. Our hosts were extremely hospitable and provided home cooked Fijian food for us daily. The couple that ran the guesthouse was assisted by their 5 children and any cousins that happened to be about - it was quite a family affair. We spent much of our time talking and relaxing and even took a bilibili out for a ride. (A bilibili is a bamboo raft used by Fijians to fish and for river transportation).

Tourists that pass through here are still few and far between, so we were quite an attraction. We were lucky enough to even have time to sit and chat with the village chief and Niels spoke at length with the head of village development which provided great insight. Later, we attended a village gathering where we sat amongst the locals and had the opportunity to consume copious amounts of kava (Niels never missed a round of course). Many of the villagers requested that we take their picture with one of us, so Niels snapped away. The villagers were all anxious to introduce themselves and talk with us. The next day we burned a CD with all the pictures for the village (they can get prints made in Levuka town).

Amy attended church on Sunday (as the only visitor) to observe this very important aspect of village life. The service was all in Fijian, but passed quite quickly as there was much singing which was wonderful. Her visit was much appreciated by the villagers who needed to shake her hand and thank her after the service. We spent 3 nights in the village and in the end didn't really want to leave but needed to make our way back to the mainland.

A string of memorable experiences came to a close when we left with our host in the dark of morning (4.30 am) in his small boat with his sons at the watch. As we made our way across the black sea, luminescent sea creatures floated by and stars still shone brightly as the cool air and bouncing movement worked to wake us up. We arrived at the wharf to the sounds of someone yelling and were told to quickly get off the boat and onto the ferry by our host. We literally jumped onto the ferry in bare feet aided by the boys in the boat, onto the departing ferry. Watching the sunrise from the ferry, we reminisced, knowing that we will long remember and cherish the last few days that had just passed.