Fiji - Denarau in August

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JET01
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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by JET01 » Thu Aug 10, 2017 5:36 pm

Yeah sounds like fkn burglary, but I'm only ever going to go to Fiji once I want to do it the easy way.

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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by ctd » Thu Aug 10, 2017 10:23 pm

steve shearer wrote:
Thu Aug 10, 2017 5:10 pm
$230 for a half day?

Thats rich.
230 fiji. AUD140. Still not cheap but cheaper!

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steve shearer
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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by steve shearer » Fri Aug 11, 2017 5:26 am

I thought the exchange rate was much closer to 1:1
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Elmako
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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by Elmako » Fri Aug 11, 2017 12:05 pm

Yes, Fijian dollars, which translates to 140$ Aussie, not cheap I agree. I get picked up from my hotel and taken to the wharf that is also included with return as well. I am staying about 30 minutes from the wharf. I think if you can work yuor way to the wharf you pay $160 Fijian dollars, I am being charged $70 Fijian for the ride to the wharf and return = $35 Fijian

Not sure which other way you could do it. My brother mentioned that there are other operators that take you out there however slower boats and some with no shade.

I agree it is expensive but pretty sure it will be worth the investment.

Cheers
J

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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by ctd » Fri Aug 11, 2017 2:43 pm

The enjoyment remains long after the cost is forgotten.

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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by brendo » Fri Aug 11, 2017 3:22 pm

ctd wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2017 2:43 pm
The enjoyment remains long after the cost is forgotten.
if you get it on, just one long barrel would be worth the cost alone. but I tshows, you don't
need to wear a balaclava to be a thief!

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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by Beanpole » Fri Aug 11, 2017 5:28 pm

They drop you off the boat back at your hotel sometimes. Trip is as good as the Captain. If you have about four or five you can just about hire the boat and have more control over where you go. Second time we went out there were five of us. Wife and daughter paid $100 to go snorkelling. Both boats went to Cloudbreak which was on. The girls plus this guy with a very young son all got on one boat and went to Namotu. We figured we'd be going over there later as the guy we brought out with us was a mal rider and 70.

After I broke my board I got back on the boat and our mate was allready in. Over the next hour or so just about everybody came in but the girl running the show then went out and the other crew member just surfed for three hours. It was like everyone expected to go to the other breaks. There was only one guest out there for the last hour. When we finally got to Namotu they said it had been crap but had turned on for the last hour.....about when the wind started getting into Cloudbreak.

Previous trip the Captain had read what everyone wanted and got everyone to have a range of waves and a bit of snorkelling.
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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by JET01 » Fri Aug 11, 2017 6:14 pm

steve shearer wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2017 5:26 am
I thought the exchange rate was much closer to 1:1
Me too. I see that kind of money as reasonable.
Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.

JET01
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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by JET01 » Fri Aug 11, 2017 6:27 pm

Elmako wrote:
Thu Aug 10, 2017 3:23 pm
Heading there next week from the 14th onwards for 6 days. Organised surf with Fiji Surf Co, 2 mornings. My brother did it 2 weeks ago and he mentioned they have 2 boats , one for less exposed options for beginners to Intermediate type waves if Cloudbreak is 6+ plus. The second boat will always go to Cloudbreak due to demand and consistency. Apparently both boats re-group at Cloudbreak, so maybe a chance to paddle out warm and see it all unfold from close by and maybe get a couple after you have been surfing a lesser powerful wave.

Pick up 6.30am from hotel and back on the boat at 1 pm fro $230 Fijian dollars, snacks and water included with boat with canopy. Wife can come along for same rate $ and snorkel on the inside reef while I surf.

Boats will obviously go where the wind / tide / swell is optimal so this is why I thought it would be best to book with them and just jump on the boat and jump out to the line up.

See you out there.

cheers
J
Mate is it possible to take spare boards with you on the boat for the day or have they got a one board policy?
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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by Cranked » Fri Aug 11, 2017 6:42 pm

JET01 wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2017 6:14 pm
steve shearer wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2017 5:26 am
I thought the exchange rate was much closer to 1:1
Me too. I see that kind of money as reasonable.
Average daily wage is F$10 - 30 per day, there's room for a gigantic profit on F$250 for half a day; you could pay 20 fijians half their daily wage rate for the easiest job they are ever going to get. It
Last edited by Cranked on Fri Aug 11, 2017 6:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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JET01
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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by JET01 » Fri Aug 11, 2017 6:45 pm

Cranked wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2017 6:42 pm
JET01 wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2017 6:14 pm
steve shearer wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2017 5:26 am
I thought the exchange rate was much closer to 1:1
Me too. I see that kind of money as reasonable.
Average daily wage is F$10 - 30 per day, there's room for a gigantic profit on F$250 for half a day; you could pay 50 fijians half their daily wage rate for the easiest job they are ever going to get
Benefit of the doubt. I don't know their backstory.
Does the cost keep the South American backpacker numbers low?
I'd rather surf with loads of kooky Brits than dog eat dog hustlers.
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Cranked
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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by Cranked » Fri Aug 11, 2017 6:52 pm

Hang on, that rough calculation was for a private charter, there may be 5 or more!
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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by Beanpole » Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:23 pm

From what I gathered the boats always have a Fijian on board. This also helps with resort disputes about who has the right to surf various breaks now that it's been opened up. The Fijian guys tend to paddle out more when there are guys who work for resorts out in the water.

There's obviously a lot of money washing around.
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Cranked
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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by Cranked » Fri Aug 11, 2017 9:14 pm

Yeah, really there's not many options so ya just pay the money and enjoy the surf. Hope you score jet!
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ctd
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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by ctd » Fri Aug 11, 2017 9:18 pm

Cranked wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2017 6:42 pm
JET01 wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2017 6:14 pm
steve shearer wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2017 5:26 am
I thought the exchange rate was much closer to 1:1
Me too. I see that kind of money as reasonable.
Average daily wage is F$10 - 30 per day, there's room for a gigantic profit on F$250 for half a day; you could pay 20 fijians half their daily wage rate for the easiest job they are ever going to get. It
It's always like that in cheap countries. Paying $250 per night in Bali or India etc seems extortion / profit gouging

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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by Beanpole » Fri Aug 11, 2017 10:48 pm

You get a lot more for your money in other countries. Stayed in a comfy cheapish place out at New Town Beach. Two nights in Denarau was more than enough.
Put your big boy pants on
I mean, tastebuds? WGAF?

Elmako
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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by Elmako » Sat Aug 12, 2017 11:42 am

Funny how the conversation gets distorted along the way, specially with the $$$.

Jet you can take your boardbag with you, I am taking 2 boards.

Packing tomorrow, flying Monday first thing.

Frothing hard

J

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foamy
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Re: Fiji - Denarau in August

Post by foamy » Sat Aug 12, 2017 12:51 pm

Don't worry about the bean counters, Elmako. Just have a great time.

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