TAKING THE PLUNGE!What does taking the plunge mean to you? Isn’t it interesting that the same phrase is used for people who are taking up diving, and for people who are getting married! I guess the same bliss, adventure into the unknown, and feelings of getting in over your head may apply! As a Dive Travel Specialist and a PADI Master Scuba Instructor, I guess it is just natural for me to become a wedding planner as well. Easy Divers / Easy Weddings: our concept of keeping things fun and simple seems to work either way. Why not travel to an exotic destination for a most special day? I will always remember fondly our double wedding on a sailboat in the Bahamas at sunset. The brides and grooms calmed their wedding jitters with an afternoon dive on a gorgeous tropical reef as we decorated the boat, and rehearsed our lines for the sentimental ceremony that was created just for this occasion. What groom doesn’t dream of a wedding where his ceremonial garb allows for linen shorts and bare feet? And what bride does not long for the choice to pick the perfect sarong or sundress to mark her day? And what about the lucky bridesmaids and groomsmen who really can wear something that can be worn more than once, and does not include uncomfortable shoes and a trip to the bridal or tuxedo shop? Probably the most exotic wedding we have been part of, was the wedding of Robert and Christi Grannis that was held on the island of Beqa in Fiji. The south Pacific is just as dramatic and romantic as the movies make you believe. Robert and Christi were attended by the entire resort, all of their diving family friends, and the entire local village who showed up to share the sacred and special occasion. For this event we had firewalkers, warriors, flower girls, the entire village church choir, and a wonderful minister. The whole day was relaxing and fantastic. We started the day by drinking a nice hot cup of chai tea on the beachfront as we waited for the breakfast drums to be sounded. Then we boarded the little skiff that ferried us out to our dive boat where all of our gear was set up and waiting for us. The bridal party buddied up to make the first dive. The Golden Arch was a swim thru tunnel that was completely covered with pink and purple soft coral. We spotted a blue ribbon eel and several brightly colored and spotted nudibranchs (they look like a cross between a ruffled caterpillar and a psychedelic worm), and got to witness three different varieties of the regal lionfish as they nibbled on the reef. We had to perform a little problem management as the bride’s weight belt tried to leave her at about 60 feet, but can say that all of that training and practice in the pool made this a minor dilemma. When we returned to the Marlin Bay Resort, there was a tremendous amount of scurrying about as all of the gardeners were decorating the area with fresh greens and aromatic, exotic local flowers. As we were returning to our burres (beach front thatched roof huts), I heard a shriek come from the bridal suite and ran over to investigate. The house keeping staff had completely decorated every square inch of Robert and Christi’s room with fresh cut flowers and greens and it was sensational. After a delicious lunch was served, we all had a few hours of quiet time lounging in the hammocks as the bride and groom enjoyed their in-room massages provided by the certified massage therapists on staff. The therapists use their own frangipani scented coconut oil made locally. After this calming retreat, Robert and Christi found themselves in the proverbial ‘hot seat’ as the officiating minister counseled them on the sanctity and seriousness of the marriage vows they were about to recite. Preceding the wedding was a fascinating ceremonial war dance by the local warriors. Their use of chanting and banging of their neckbreaker weapons was so loud and surprising I thought the poor bride was going to fall out of her chair! This was followed by the ancient firewalking ceremony. There is only on tribe in all of Fiji that has the ancestral right to continue this hallowed tradition. They marched and danced and pranced across the hot rocks with absolute joy. It was a sight to behold! As soon as they finished their farewell song and headed back to their hollowed out canoes to return to their home, the wedding party slipped away to get dressed for the ceremony. It was a rather hurried process since the whole village and resort were already assembled and we did not want to keep them waiting. Once the bride was ready, the warriors arrived to escort us to the ceremony. As we processed to the steady drumbeat, the little flower girls sprinkled flower petals along the path. Ratu Kenny, the village elder, escorted the bride to the altar and her waiting groom. The music provided by the church choir added the perfect angelic touch as the sun slowly set on the horizon. The village joined us in sharing the wedding cake and then we knelt to participate in the Kava ceremony. Kava is made from the dried root of a pepper plant, and the tranquilizing nonalcoholic drink is known to numb the tongue and lips. This ceremonial preparation is the most honored feature of the formal ritual to mark births, marriages and deaths. The evening was made complete with a lovely candlelight dinner and a moment at the beach to see the Southern Cross constellation for the first time. After this wonderful festivity it was business as usual for all dive travelers. Eat, sleep, dive, tour, visit the local school, hike the scenic waterfall, laze about in the hammocks, have session with the massage therapists and daydream about how far reality was removed from our life. On the morning of our departure, the entire staff met us at the beach with red hibiscus flowers. As part of their heartfelt farewell ceremony they sang us the farewell song and presented each one of us with a flower. As we pulled away from the island in our boat, we threw our flowers into the water symbolizing that as the blossoms returned to the beach, so would we return to the island. After a lovely forty five minute boat ride back to mainland Fiji, we creatively crammed 17 people, luggage and dive bags into a tour bus for our trip North to the airport. Imagine our surprise when our bus pulled up to Jack’s, the famous island trading company, and they opened the gates just for us. And what a shopping experience it was. First of all, each customer was greeted by a personal shopper who personally helped you make your selections, brought you fresh squeezed OJ when you looked weary, and who wrapped each treasure up for safe transport. The women seemed very interesting in the wonderful pareos and variety of coconut oil soaps and products and the men were especially interested in the renditions of neckbreakers and brain forks left over from the earlier days when cannibalism was still practiced. After our shopping extravaganza, we were transported to Nadi and one of the local hotels to wait in comfort for our late night flight home. After eating, napping and relaxing by the pool, we headed to the airport where things were a bit more chaotic. We managed to make our way through the extremely long lines and were all relieved when the plane taxied off the runway. For those of you who have yet to take up this exciting sport, be warned that only half the fun and adventure actually takes place underwater! Call Easy Divers at 901-753-2926 if you would like to be part of the adventure. We are currently filling our 2002 trips to the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, the Exumas, and Australia.
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