Another milestone conquered

By Setten

What does overseas travel look like after a stroke? Well, if you know me, you know I’m not one to take setbacks lying down. Life’s too short, so I plan to live it to the fullest.
A cheap deal for Fiji popped up, my wife, son, and daughter all had time off work, so we booked it.

Now, getting up at 2:30 in the morning was rough. Night work and detours made getting to the airport a bit of a mission, but before I knew it, we were cruising at 31,000 feet, snacking on peanuts. My biggest fear was my bladder control, my mobility and using the loo mid-flight, but it turned out to be no big deal.

The Fijians are some of the most welcoming and understanding people I’ve ever met, and I’m not just talking about the hotel staff, I mean everyone. I felt comfortable, safe, and totally embraced. Adjusting to “Fiji time” took a little effort, but I got there. Though I have to say, Fiji Bitter and Limoncello don’t exactly help with walking, but I’ll blame that on the heat. My advice? Bring water shoes. The pool surface is unforgiving.

Our daily routine? Pool, pool, pool, and more pool. Oh, and pool. I highly recommend morning aqua aerobics, those Fijians know how to move! It’s also a fantastic cure for overindulgence at the buffet.

Looking back, I definitely overthought the whole trip. It was much easier than I expected.

Here is a list of my worries that proved to be unfounded:
 - Getting on and off the plane with my walker - easy.
 - Navigating the aisle to the toilet - easy.
 - Sitting for four hours. A struggle, but doable with a movie, some food, and a book.
 - Water shoes - a lifesaver. The pool and coral didn’t care about my dainty feet or my dubious balance.
 - The buffet - dangerous. If you’re like me and don’t have an off switch for food, I highly recommend finding one!

I set small goals for myself every day:
 - Relax and enjoy the moment.
 - Do aqua aerobics every morning.
 - Read a book.
 - Get involved, there was always a helping hand.
 - Interact with staff and other guests.

What should I have done differently? More sunscreen, a rookie error.

One major thing I learned. Fiji isn’t designed with accessibility in mind, but where there’s a will, there’s a way, and let me tell you, the locals found that way.

Stairs? Sure. Railings? Optional. The mud pools were an adventure, but it’s amazing what you can achieve when you’re having fun. And note to self, four-wheel walkers and sand do not mix.

So, if you’ve got questions, or just want some travel tips - I’m an open book. Ask away!