IT is not often that children join elder members of their family to travel to an outer island for the festive season.
For 17-year-old Tevita Bolatini, the experience of spending Christmas and New Years on Lakeba, Lau will be an unforgettable one for him.
He grew up mainly in the Western Division and joined his father and other family members for the island trip.
The 18 hour boat ride from Suva to Lakeba was not so welcoming for the young visitor, however, upon arriving at the island, the whole island
setting changed his perception towards island life.
“It was so relaxing, so different from life on the mainland and so relaxing,” the student of Natabua High School said.
“People are so friendly and the environment is so welcoming, especially the lovely beaches and the sea.
“I hardly get to see this, so the memory of Lakeba will be an unforgettable one.”
During the three week break on Lakeba, he got the chance to travel around the island and visited the seven villages on the island and also enjoyed the daily dip in the ocean to counter the hot weather.
Another one of his most unforgettable experience was fetching sea grapes (nama) from the sea, during low tide which he enjoyed with his family members during a family meal.
If he ever has a chance to return to Lakeba, he will not hesitate to do so because he has had a taste of island living and relaxation, something he does not experience much on the mainland.
